SunMed Growers, one of the first cannabis growers in Maryland’s nascent recreational industry, says it’s tapping into consumers’ growing desire for alcohol alternatives with a cannabis-infused sparkling water product.

The Cecil County grower launched the new product, Sunnies Socials, earlier this month in four flavors. The company also produces edibles such as chocolate truffles and baked goods under the Sunnies brand.

“Smoking is still not the social activity of 2024,” said Justin Garcia, SunMed’s chief marketing officer. “Not everybody smokes, but we like to eat and everybody drinks.”

Garcia said sipping drinks infused with THC, but without the taste or smell has become an alternative for people to use cannabis socially, without the stigma or the health downside of alcohol. The company also produces the national Keef brand of sodas containing 10 milligrams of THC.

While the new beverages are the first under the Sunnies brand, another Maryland company, Evermore Cannabis Co., produces a THC-infused seltzer. The Tall brand, in collaboration with Union Craft Brewing, debuted over the summer.

Garcia said Sunnies Socials are sold in about 100 dispensaries in the state.

Have a news tip? Contact Lorraine Mirabella at lmirabella@baltsun.com, 410-332-6672 and @lmirabella on X.