Could you name Eden Prairie Liquor’s new THC gummy?
Eden Prairie Liquor, the city’s municipal liquor operation with three locations, is the first in Minnesota to dip its toes into the THC industry with its own product, the city announced in a July 18 press release. Residents can take a stab at naming the mixed berry-flavored gummy by submitting ideas on the Eden Prairie Liquor website by July 29.
Jaime Urbina, Eden Prairie Liquor operations manager, said the city wanted to bring greater awareness to the new product in a more unique way than simply sharing information in the liquor store’s newsletter.
The contest is definitely attracting attention. Urbina said that as of Monday, there were more than 580 name submissions, averaging about 100 submissions a day since the contest’s announcement last week.
“The naming thing has exceeded my expectations,” Urbina said. “With the amount of interest that’s coming in just off of the naming contest, I’m hoping that’ll spark a little bit more interest within the store for THC purchases.”
Eden Prairie Liquor is collaborating with Emerald Elements, a Minneapolis-based company that produces THC products for retailers across Minnesota, to make the gummy, Urbina said.
Emerald Elements is already beginning production and can begin packaging the gummies as soon as the name is selected.
The edible will contain 5 milligrams of THC and 30 milligrams of CBM, a naturally occurring chemical in cannabis plants that can be used as a sleep aid, Urbina said. Each package will contain 10 gummies.
Urbina said the most popular edibles for the liquor store are ones marketed as sleep aids. Depending on the popularity of the gummies, they might expand into other kinds of THC products.
After submissions close July 29, Urbina said a committee will review them and choose three finalists. Residents can vote for their favorite name on the liquor store’s Facebook page from Aug. 4 to Aug. 8.
Once the name with the most votes is determined, Urbina said the gummy should hit shelves in September.
Mayor Ron Case said he is supportive of the liquor store’s move to get into the THC business, especially given THC’s growing popularity across the country.
“I love when our liquor stores creatively, innovatively come up with these new ideas,” Case said.
While the City Council decided Eden Prairie will not enter the cannabis market with city-operated dispensaries, Case said the council decided selling THC products in the store is a direction the municipal liquor store can pursue.
Urbina said alcohol sales for wine, beer and liquor are declining at the liquor store, but THC sales are seeing a lot of growth.
“We’re hoping to build on the sales that we already have for THC, hopefully making it an added value to the operation,” Urbina said.
THC consumption is becoming increasingly popular, especially for young adults ages 18 to 34, as they are reportedly drinking less than previous generations, according to a 2023 study from Gallup. Over the last 20 years, alcohol consumption among young adults has dropped from 72% to 62%.
A study from Northwell Health noted in addition to rising concerns about the health impacts of alcohol, many young adults are turning to THC products due to recreational marijuana legalizations across the country, including in Minnesota.
While Eden Prairie is the first municipal liquor operation to launch its own THC brand, the Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association (MMBA) already produces THC products under the Munisota name and supplies them exclusively to municipal liquor stores.
Paul Kaspszak, the executive director of MMBA, said while THC products are a relatively new market, the response to them has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I think it’s a category that will continue to grow,” Kaspszak said. “It’s not going away.”
Urbina said the response from the community has been positive as people submit their ideas.
“I think people are having fun with it, so I think it’s a positive thing overall,” Urbina said.
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