The Great Midwest Hemp Fest Ditches The Beer Garden For a Canna Courtyard

It’s no secret that Wisconsin has a pretty big drinking problem. Well, some people call it a drinking culture. Either way you spin it, growing up in the nation’s drunkest state means it’s pretty normal to see Ma or Pa crack open a cold one (or two) nightly. 

Drinking is built into the infrastructure of Wisconsin. In fact, the state has the country’s third-highest number of bars per capita, and almost three times more liquor stores than grocery stores. Eau Claire, a small college town in Northern Wisconsin, has the second-largest concentration of bars in the nation! And while others may laugh and nod, we don’t think it’s all that brag-worthy.

While Wisconsin has a long-established drinking culture, there is a new beverage rivaling the popularity of alcohol: THC-infused drinks. These beverages are part of a rapidly growing national trend that gives consumers a new way to enjoy a night out on the town.

Currently, THC beverages in Wisconsin are hemp-derived because marijuana is not yet legalized in the state for any use. The Farm Bill of 2018 legalized cannabis products with hemp-derived cannabinoids and less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by weight, a rule these beverages follow while still packing a potent punch. 

While most mature cannabis markets typically carry anywhere from five to ten THC-infused beverages, the Midwest has seen an incredible spike in THC-infused options due to the existing infrastructure of breweries and Minnesota’s unique adoption of hemp-infused edibles and drinks.

Take Crescent 9 THC Seltzer, for example. They offer an array of sparkling canned THC beverages with flavors such as Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical, and Sour Watermelon that range in dosage from 5 mg THC to 50 mg THC. 

While some prefer the low-dose Ready-To-Drink (RTD) option, others may choose to micro-dose by mixing “shots” of the more potent drinks into fruity mocktails. Those who have a tolerance for THC may be able to drink larger doses to get to their desired effects. Adults in Wisconsin (and across the country) can now order Crescent 9 THC Seltzers and other THC-infused beverages online and have them shipped directly to their door. 

We know many people have yet to try THC beverages for the first time and likely don’t know how or where to find new brands like Crescent 9 THC Seltzer. This year, the Great Midwest Hemp Fest would like to bridge the gap. 

With a wide range of local and national brands, this experience will be the beer-garden equivalent for THC-infused beverages. And the best part? When attendees discover their new favorite drink, they can buy it right there on the spot. Whether it’s a cold one to enjoy while strolling James Madison Park or grabbing a 4-pack to take home, we encourage attendees to challenge the long-held belief that beer is best.

The Great Midwest Hemp Fest and the following Great Midwest Marijuana Harvest Protest will occur on September 28th and 29th at the James Madison Park. For more information on the festival and what to expect, visit yourhempfest.org.