Last year, after the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, Congress finally passed a stopgap funding bill — and ignited a ticking timebomb for the billion-dollar THC beverage industry.
A provision slipped into the bill at the last minute changes federal law to effectively ban hemp-derived cannabis (delta-9) products starting Nov. 12, 2026. Even the beverages, candies and lotions that abide by Iowa’s relatively strict limit of 4 mg THC per serving will be well over the new federal limit come November.
“If intoxicating hemp products persist on the market after the change to their legal status, it is possible they could be subject to the same criminal and collateral issues as marijuana,” the Congressional Research Service concluded.
“It would wipe the entire company away,” Ashley Lambson, CEO of Des Moines’ The Happy Can, told KCCI. “This could have a ripple effect. This is an ecosystem issue. It’s going to affect farmers’ jobs, tax revenue.”
Despite previously encouraging tobacco farmers in Kentucky to switch to hemp, it was Sen. Mitch McConnell who pushed for the provision that’s poised to eliminate up to 95 percent of the U.S. hemp industry and hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Since the 2018 Farm Bill opened the door for delta-9, adults have turned to THC drinks as alternatives to alcohol, whether they’re out and about or relaxing at home. Many craft brewers in Iowa have expanded to offer cannabis seltzers, sodas and gummies, including Lua Brewing and Big Grove Brewery (Climbing Kites, BUBZ), Field Day Brewing Company (Day Dreamer), Toppling Goliath (Merry Rain) and Lion Bridge Brewing Company (MoonDream).
“I was initially surprised by how many people from so many different demographics were out there looking for hemp beverages and gummies, and for such a myriad of reasons,” Quinton McClain, founder of the Cedar Rapids-based Lion Bridge and MoonDream, told Little Village.
“Stability and predictability is key to me. The legislation passed in Iowa in 2024 started giving us some good guidelines on how to operate. The federal legislation on hemp that passed last year is what could derail this fast-growing segment. The demand for these products was always there and it won’t go away.”
Emily Langenfeld, CEO of Des Moines’ Kind Kulture, concurred. The Des Moines-based company goes out of its way to educate cannabis newbies on terpene profiles, she said — “Hybrid for balance, sativa for an uplifting experience, and indica for relaxation.”
“As regulations evolve, it’ll be important to see clear, consistent federal guidelines.”
Why recriminalize hemp-derived THC? McConnell said he doesn’t want intoxicating products to get in the hands of children, though states already enforce a 21-year-old age limit on delta-9 products. The senator’s flip-flop on hemp last year may have more to do with a massive lobbying effort by trade groups representing big alcohol companies, including Anheuser-Busch, Coors, Bacardi and Hennessy.
McClain, a purveyor of both beer and THC drinks, “would like to see hemp have a lot of the same regulations as alcohol. For some retailers, these hemp products have become one of their top sales categories. To just do away with that in November would hurt so many people.”
Several bills have been introduced by Democrats and Republicans alike to amend or reverse the 2025 provision while codifying age restrictions nationwide. President Trump even asked Congress to reconsider the hemp ban a month after he signed it into law.
In the meantime, Iowans invested in the industry are speaking out — and staying optimistic.
“Kind Kulture was created to foster a positive, healthy and uplifting community,” Langfeld said. “And we remain steadfast in that mission regardless of any regulatory shifts.”
Iowa’s THC Brands
All drinks and edibles are sold in four-packs. Drinks contain 4 mg THC per 12 oz can, and edibles contain 2.5 mg THC each, or 10 mg per pack, except where specified differently. Most products contain small amounts of CBD as well.
Buyers must be 21 or older. Flavors are being added constantly; refer to the brands themselves for the most up-to-date offerings. Prices included when known, and may vary.
Climbing Kites
Based in Des Moines, est. 2019
Founded by Lua Brewing. Big Grove Brewery bought a majority stake in 2024.
Products:
- Climbing Kites sparkling water: Orange Mango, Peach Prickly Pear, Pineapple Passionate Fruit, Mixed Berry, Key Lime Kiwi ($18/4-pack)
- Climbing Kites Kitetails: Iced Tea + Lemonade ($18/4-pack), Transfusion (grape and ginger; $20/4-pack)
- BUBZ soda: Orange Vanilla and Grape Fizz ($14/4-pack)
Day Dreamer
Based in North Liberty inside Field Day Brewing Company. Est. 2024.
Products:
- Classic sparkling water: Raspberry Hibiscus, Lemon Ginger, Strawberry Citrus, Berry Bliss, Lemon Twist, Strawberry Guava ($22/4-pack)
- Low Key (2 mg THC/can) sparkling water: Raspberry Hibiscus, Lemon Ginger, Strawberry Citrus ($20/4-pack)
- Sunrise (caffeinated) sparkling water: Pineapple Mango Orange ($22/4-pack)
- Nightcap sparkling water: Blueberry Lavender ($25/4-pack)
- Recovery Ride sparkling water: Dragon Fruit Lemonade
- THC mixer: Agave Citrus ($40/750ml bottle)
The Happy Can
Based in Des Moines, est. 2024
Products:
- Soda: Citrus Haze, Fruit Punch, Purp Slurp, zero sugar Purp Slurp, zero sugar Orange Squeeze, Root Beer, Vanilla Dream cream soda ($18/4-pack)
- Sparkling water: Tropical Strawberry ($20/4-pack)
- Chocolate drops: white, milk, mint, peppermint crunch, caramel mocha, white raspberry ($6/4-pack)
- Gummies: Black Cherry, Green Apple, Strawberry Relief, Berry Sleep, Watermelon ($6/4-pack, 2.5mg THC/gummy)
Kind Kulture
Based in Des Moines, est. 2024
Products:
- Sparkling water: Raspberry Tangerine, White Grape Strawberry, Blueberry Pomegranate ($19/4-pack)
- Gummies: Grape, Orange, Blue Raspberry, Strawberry ($6/pack)
- Cotton candy tub, with a mix of Strawberry, Grape, Blue Raspberry and Orange flavors ($10/tub)
Merry Rain
Affiliated with Toppling Goliath, est. 2025
Sparkling water: Lemon Lime, Orange Cream, Strawberry ($19/4-pack)
Moon Dream
Based in Cedar Rapids, est. 2024
Brewed at Lion Bridge Brewing Co.
Products:
- Sparkling water: Strawberry Apricot, Citrus Berry, Cosmic Lemonade, Peach Tangerine ($20/4-pack of 16oz cans containing 5 mg THC)
- Gummies: Cosmic Kiwi, Blood Orange Sunset, Pineapple Eclipse, Stellar Blueberry ($6/4-pack)
RiverBluff Collective
Based in East Dubuque, Illinois, est. 2019
Products available in Iowa:
- Bites: Chocolate Brownie, Strawberry Shortcake ($7/4-pack)
- Gummies: Grape, Strawberry ($6/2-pack of 4 mg THC gummies)
- Bluff Pop: Punch, Grape ($18/4-pack)
- Seltzer: Strawberry Acai Lemonade Seltzer ($18/4-pack)
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This article was originally published in Little Village’s April 2026 issue.
