By Austin Stevenson, Chief Revenue Officer
Since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, the hemp industry has experienced meteoric growth — and hemp-infused beverages are at the leading edge of this movement. Hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight are legal under the bill, opening doors for hemp-infused beverage brands to introduce unique and innovative products to the market.
At ACT LAB, we support nearly two dozen infused beverage brands across our network, testing more than 5,500 samples each month.
Our team traveled to Atlanta to attend and exhibit at the Hemp Beverage Expo. The event, which partners with the Hemp Beverage Alliance, the leading trade association advancing the hemp beverage industry, brought together hemp beverage brands with suppliers, distributors, retailers, and investors.
We were able to connect with several of ACT LAB’s current beverage testing customers including Keef, Nowadays, Senorita, ayrloom, and Uncle Arnie’s, who showed up with innovative flavor profiles and engaging activations.
ACT LAB emulsion technology partners, Vertosa and Azuca, were on hand to share their formulation expertise with brands, including many exciting new players in the hemp beverage space.
Our conversations with attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors revealed a clear takeaway — high-quality, trusted third-party testing is key to ensuring consumer safety and product quality to support the rapid growth and changing regulatory landscape of the hemp beverage industry. And, in this fast-moving category, rapid turnaround on potency results isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.
A Unique Market Requires Consistent Standards and Formulation Alignment
The rapid expansion of the hemp-infused beverage market, and the increased consumer demand for these products, creates formulation challenges for brands and regulatory concerns for states. Without standardized testing methods across labs, manufacturers are often left navigating a fragmented system where the same product can produce different results depending on which lab tests it.
This patchwork approach creates risk: inconsistent cannabinoid data, unstable emulsions, or untested microbial content can lead to product recalls, failed compliance checks, or damage to consumer trust.
With new products appearing in grocery stores, smoke shops, and gas stations everyday, the demand for safe, consistent, and compliant formulations has never been higher. But as this category grows, so does the importance of reliable testing to ensure quality, safety, and compliance.
By partnering with major infusion technology innovators like Vertosa, SoRSE, Azuca, and monarQh, with testing methods optimized for these systems, ACT LAB not only provides regulatory compliance, but we’re formulation-aligned for the needs of the hemp beverage industry.
Current Challenges in Hemp Testing
One of the biggest challenges facing the hemp industry is the lack of standardized testing protocols. Unlike cannabis testing, which is highly regulated in most legal markets, hemp testing remains inconsistent due to a patchwork of state regulations and the absence of federal oversight.
This means:
- Sampling methods may vary between labs
- Potency results can fluctuate
- Contaminant thresholds are interpreted differently
These discrepancies are of special concern when testing Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC. Even slight inaccuracies can push a product over the legal limit or understate the potency advertised to consumers.
For hemp beverage brands — where precise cannabinoid dosing and emulsion stability are essential — inconsistent testing protocols can undermine accurate product labeling and consumer safety. To overcome these challenges, ACT LAB’s testing methods are aligned across our six-state network, helping multi-state operators avoid variability in test results.
The Hemp Industry’s Response
Seeking to support consistent, high-quality testing in the hemp industry, the National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHC), an organization which advances a regulatory system designed to boost consumer confidence while promoting innovation, is taking the first steps towards product safety and quality assurance with its NIHC Verify program.
This program requires products to be tested in a lab that has passed a Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) certification audit and supports NIHC’s mission to promote testing transparency, standards protocols, consumer confidence, and ultimately product safety. NIHC has partnered with A2LA to provide a complete laboratory regulation base for North America.
As advocates for science-driven solutions that help elevate the entire hemp industry, we’re proud that all ACT LAB facilities across our six-state network are part of the NIHC Verify program and are accredited by A2LA.
Why Quality Testing is Critical for Hemp Beverages
Hemp beverage brands face unique formulation challenges that require a different level of testing precision. Accurate lab results are essential for:
Accurate Cannabinoid Content
Consumers rely on product labels for accurate dosing, so brands must ensure that THC levels are accurately measured and correctly labeled for compliance.
Emulsion Consistency
Since cannabinoids are not water-soluble, hemp beverages use emulsions or emulsion-alternatives, like monarQh’s nanoQuick, to distribute active compounds evenly. Without proper testing, beverages can separate, resulting in improper dosing and an inconsistent consumer experience.
Microbial and Contaminant Testing
As an ingestible product, hemp-infused beverages must meet rigorous safety standards. Microbial screening, mycotoxin analysis, and pesticide testing are essential to ensure products are safe for consumption and are shelf stable.
Label Accuracy and Compliance
Mislabeling is one of the leading causes of regulatory enforcement actions and consumer distrust in the hemp and cannabis industries. Reliable third-party lab data helps brands avoid compliance violations and costly recalls, all while strengthening market credibility.
Speed to Shelf and TAT Reliability
ACT LAB offers 24-hour potency previews and 48-hour compliance testing for qualified partners—because accuracy means nothing if it arrives too late.
ACT LAB’s Commitment to Quality Testing
At ACT LAB, our mission is clear — to provide consistent and reliable, science-backed third-party testing that supports safe, scalable growth in the cannabis and hemp markets.
Our lab testing services for hemp-infused beverages include:
- Cannabinoid profiling with validated methods across emulsion types
- Emulsion and stability testing to validate product consistency
- Microbial and mycotoxin analysis to detect potential contaminants
- Moisture and water activity testing for shelf stability and quality control
- Potency testing for legal compliance and label accuracy
ACT LAB is currently expanding capabilities to include direct emulsion particle analysis, supporting full-spectrum stability validation.
Speed + Precision = Your Shelf Advantage
ACT LAB delivers 24-hour potency results and 48-hour compliance testing for fast-moving beverage brands. We know timing matters — so we built our systems to keep up with yours.
Whether you’re formulating an infused sparkling water or scaling your product line of functional hemp beverages, ACT LAB can help you build a safe and effective foundation for your brand. Testing with ACT LAB gives you the confidence to bring compliant products to market without compromising innovation.
The Biggest Names in Beverages Trust ACT LAB. You Should Too.
Ready to Partner with ACT LAB?
“Having our products tested by ACT LAB helps us provide a really consistent level of potency across different production batches and helps us ensure the product we’re putting out is safe for our customers.” – Lynden Pruess, Keef Cola Michigan Production Director
By testing your hemp beverage product with a quality third-party lab like ACT LAB, brands can elevate consumer trust, scale their operations effectively, and ensure product safety.
At ACT LAB, we believe precision hemp beverage testing isn’t just about compliance — it’s about protecting your brand and helping your products succeed in an increasingly competitive space.
If you’re ready to work with ACT LAB, reach out to connect with a hemp beverage testing specialist today.
