Lars Miller
@larsmillermedia.bsky.social
I write about cannabis, functional beverages, coffee, CPG branding, marketing, and content.
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Lars Miller
@larsmillermedia.bsky.social
· Jan 12
Don’t just show up. Stand out.
Your personal brand deserves a story that inspires and connects.
Check out my tips for planning a personal brand photoshoot that works:
https://buff.ly/4fQldXc
Your personal brand deserves a story that inspires and connects.
Check out my tips for planning a personal brand photoshoot that works:
https://buff.ly/4fQldXc
Reposted by Lars Miller
People should be allowed to have a THC seltzer if they want to
November 14, 2025 at 5:34 PM
People should be allowed to have a THC seltzer if they want to
When the news cycle gets loud, panic is the easiest reaction — and the worst strategy.
The next few days will feel chaotic. But the smart move is simple:
Talk to your supply chain.
Talk to your consumers.
Clear heads make good decisions.
🎧 Episode → open.spotify.com/episode/3dkP...
#THCdrinks
The next few days will feel chaotic. But the smart move is simple:
Talk to your supply chain.
Talk to your consumers.
Clear heads make good decisions.
🎧 Episode → open.spotify.com/episode/3dkP...
#THCdrinks
November 14, 2025 at 4:46 PM
When the news cycle gets loud, panic is the easiest reaction — and the worst strategy.
The next few days will feel chaotic. But the smart move is simple:
Talk to your supply chain.
Talk to your consumers.
Clear heads make good decisions.
🎧 Episode → open.spotify.com/episode/3dkP...
#THCdrinks
The next few days will feel chaotic. But the smart move is simple:
Talk to your supply chain.
Talk to your consumers.
Clear heads make good decisions.
🎧 Episode → open.spotify.com/episode/3dkP...
#THCdrinks
There are bad actors in this industry and they make it harder for the responsible operators doing it right.
Products mimicking Oreos, Skittles, Doritos… untested, mislabeled, and sold to anyone with cash in hand.
🎧 Full conversation: open.spotify.com/episode/3dkP...
#THCdrinks
Products mimicking Oreos, Skittles, Doritos… untested, mislabeled, and sold to anyone with cash in hand.
🎧 Full conversation: open.spotify.com/episode/3dkP...
#THCdrinks
November 14, 2025 at 1:40 PM
There are bad actors in this industry and they make it harder for the responsible operators doing it right.
Products mimicking Oreos, Skittles, Doritos… untested, mislabeled, and sold to anyone with cash in hand.
🎧 Full conversation: open.spotify.com/episode/3dkP...
#THCdrinks
Products mimicking Oreos, Skittles, Doritos… untested, mislabeled, and sold to anyone with cash in hand.
🎧 Full conversation: open.spotify.com/episode/3dkP...
#THCdrinks
You could scroll this app for hours trying to catch up on the cannabis & hemp industry…
Or you could just subscribe to my newsletter.
herbal.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Or you could just subscribe to my newsletter.
herbal.beehiiv.com/subscribe
November 12, 2025 at 8:12 PM
You could scroll this app for hours trying to catch up on the cannabis & hemp industry…
Or you could just subscribe to my newsletter.
herbal.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Or you could just subscribe to my newsletter.
herbal.beehiiv.com/subscribe
THC, CBD, CBN, CBG — each cannabinoid tells your body a different story.
Timing matters just as much as dosage.
This convo breaks it down.
🎧 Free Spirits Podcast → open.spotify.com/episode/1kc5...
#THCdrinks #FunctionalBeverages
Timing matters just as much as dosage.
This convo breaks it down.
🎧 Free Spirits Podcast → open.spotify.com/episode/1kc5...
#THCdrinks #FunctionalBeverages
November 10, 2025 at 7:42 PM
THC, CBD, CBN, CBG — each cannabinoid tells your body a different story.
Timing matters just as much as dosage.
This convo breaks it down.
🎧 Free Spirits Podcast → open.spotify.com/episode/1kc5...
#THCdrinks #FunctionalBeverages
Timing matters just as much as dosage.
This convo breaks it down.
🎧 Free Spirits Podcast → open.spotify.com/episode/1kc5...
#THCdrinks #FunctionalBeverages
Why does a 5mg gummy cost $3 but a 5mg beverage costs $8?
We know why, but the average consumer doesn't and it is a point of contention.
We know why, but the average consumer doesn't and it is a point of contention.
October 30, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Why does a 5mg gummy cost $3 but a 5mg beverage costs $8?
We know why, but the average consumer doesn't and it is a point of contention.
We know why, but the average consumer doesn't and it is a point of contention.
CPG's biggest lie: 'We're building a brand.' You're building a SKU.
October 29, 2025 at 10:37 PM
CPG's biggest lie: 'We're building a brand.' You're building a SKU.
MoreBetter's study showed 38% of heavy drinkers dropped to 25% after 3 weeks of THC beverages. There's value in making these beverages more mainstream and putting in common sense regulations.
#thcdrinks #hempdrinks
#thcdrinks #hempdrinks
October 29, 2025 at 7:15 PM
MoreBetter's study showed 38% of heavy drinkers dropped to 25% after 3 weeks of THC beverages. There's value in making these beverages more mainstream and putting in common sense regulations.
#thcdrinks #hempdrinks
#thcdrinks #hempdrinks
Graza went from zero to $500M valuation in 18 months because they made olive oil squeezable. They didn't do anything revolutionary, all they changed was the bottle.
For your niche, what is your squeezable bottle?
#cpgindustry
For your niche, what is your squeezable bottle?
#cpgindustry
October 29, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Graza went from zero to $500M valuation in 18 months because they made olive oil squeezable. They didn't do anything revolutionary, all they changed was the bottle.
For your niche, what is your squeezable bottle?
#cpgindustry
For your niche, what is your squeezable bottle?
#cpgindustry
Athletic Brewing hit $300M by solving one problem: beer taste without alcohol consequences. Meanwhile, 47 other NA beer brands are still explaining why hops matter.
#NAbeer
#NAbeer
October 29, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Athletic Brewing hit $300M by solving one problem: beer taste without alcohol consequences. Meanwhile, 47 other NA beer brands are still explaining why hops matter.
#NAbeer
#NAbeer
A new kind of buzz took over Miami.
At iii Points, Cann became the go-to drink. A better way to socialize. A lighter lift. A vibe that matches the night instead of fighting it.
Every hand holding a Cann told the same story: elevated connection.
#iiipoints #THCdrinks
At iii Points, Cann became the go-to drink. A better way to socialize. A lighter lift. A vibe that matches the night instead of fighting it.
Every hand holding a Cann told the same story: elevated connection.
#iiipoints #THCdrinks
October 28, 2025 at 10:57 PM
A new kind of buzz took over Miami.
At iii Points, Cann became the go-to drink. A better way to socialize. A lighter lift. A vibe that matches the night instead of fighting it.
Every hand holding a Cann told the same story: elevated connection.
#iiipoints #THCdrinks
At iii Points, Cann became the go-to drink. A better way to socialize. A lighter lift. A vibe that matches the night instead of fighting it.
Every hand holding a Cann told the same story: elevated connection.
#iiipoints #THCdrinks
I understand there's extra costs involved but it's been baffling to me how slow craft breweries have been to adopt NA beer. However, Craft beer now makes up one-third of all non-alcoholic beer sales and is growing faster than the segment overall.
#CraftBeer
#CraftBeer
October 10, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I understand there's extra costs involved but it's been baffling to me how slow craft breweries have been to adopt NA beer. However, Craft beer now makes up one-third of all non-alcoholic beer sales and is growing faster than the segment overall.
#CraftBeer
#CraftBeer
Non-alcoholic buyers skew younger, higher-income, and coastal.
We see this happening as well with Hemp/THC beverages too.
#MarketTrends
We see this happening as well with Hemp/THC beverages too.
#MarketTrends
October 10, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Non-alcoholic buyers skew younger, higher-income, and coastal.
We see this happening as well with Hemp/THC beverages too.
#MarketTrends
We see this happening as well with Hemp/THC beverages too.
#MarketTrends
Online sales of non-alcoholic drinks grew +208% YoY.
That’s what happens when you’re not trapped in the 3-tier system.
Digital shelves are the new back bar.
#DTC
That’s what happens when you’re not trapped in the 3-tier system.
Digital shelves are the new back bar.
#DTC
October 10, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Online sales of non-alcoholic drinks grew +208% YoY.
That’s what happens when you’re not trapped in the 3-tier system.
Digital shelves are the new back bar.
#DTC
That’s what happens when you’re not trapped in the 3-tier system.
Digital shelves are the new back bar.
#DTC
In a recent NIQ report Non-alcoholic spirits are the breakout story: +70% YoY growth, outpacing both NA beer (+19%) and NA wine (+23%).
Nostalgia, ritual, and improved tech for flavor is really driving premiumization.
#DrinkInnovation
Nostalgia, ritual, and improved tech for flavor is really driving premiumization.
#DrinkInnovation
October 9, 2025 at 9:12 PM
In a recent NIQ report Non-alcoholic spirits are the breakout story: +70% YoY growth, outpacing both NA beer (+19%) and NA wine (+23%).
Nostalgia, ritual, and improved tech for flavor is really driving premiumization.
#DrinkInnovation
Nostalgia, ritual, and improved tech for flavor is really driving premiumization.
#DrinkInnovation
Even though I quit drinking entirely a little over 2 years ago, a stat I love is 92% of non-alc buyers still purchase alcohol.
People largely aren’t quitting drinking; they’re just being more thoughtful and curating the experience that fits their needs.
#BeverageTrends
People largely aren’t quitting drinking; they’re just being more thoughtful and curating the experience that fits their needs.
#BeverageTrends
October 9, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Even though I quit drinking entirely a little over 2 years ago, a stat I love is 92% of non-alc buyers still purchase alcohol.
People largely aren’t quitting drinking; they’re just being more thoughtful and curating the experience that fits their needs.
#BeverageTrends
People largely aren’t quitting drinking; they’re just being more thoughtful and curating the experience that fits their needs.
#BeverageTrends
$925M in annual sales.
+22% YoY growth.
Non-alcoholic beer, wine & spirits aren’t “alternatives”, they’re mainstream.
By end of 2025, NIQ projects the category will clear $1B off-premise.
#NonAlcoholicDrinks
+22% YoY growth.
Non-alcoholic beer, wine & spirits aren’t “alternatives”, they’re mainstream.
By end of 2025, NIQ projects the category will clear $1B off-premise.
#NonAlcoholicDrinks
October 9, 2025 at 5:15 PM
$925M in annual sales.
+22% YoY growth.
Non-alcoholic beer, wine & spirits aren’t “alternatives”, they’re mainstream.
By end of 2025, NIQ projects the category will clear $1B off-premise.
#NonAlcoholicDrinks
+22% YoY growth.
Non-alcoholic beer, wine & spirits aren’t “alternatives”, they’re mainstream.
By end of 2025, NIQ projects the category will clear $1B off-premise.
#NonAlcoholicDrinks
A 14-day post-purchase flow builds retention without another discount:
Day 1 – Shipping clarity
Day 3 – Product tips
Day 7 – Reviews
Day 10 – Cross-sell
Day 14 – Loyalty invite
It’s storytelling, not spamming.
#EmailMarketing
Day 1 – Shipping clarity
Day 3 – Product tips
Day 7 – Reviews
Day 10 – Cross-sell
Day 14 – Loyalty invite
It’s storytelling, not spamming.
#EmailMarketing
October 9, 2025 at 3:45 PM
A 14-day post-purchase flow builds retention without another discount:
Day 1 – Shipping clarity
Day 3 – Product tips
Day 7 – Reviews
Day 10 – Cross-sell
Day 14 – Loyalty invite
It’s storytelling, not spamming.
#EmailMarketing
Day 1 – Shipping clarity
Day 3 – Product tips
Day 7 – Reviews
Day 10 – Cross-sell
Day 14 – Loyalty invite
It’s storytelling, not spamming.
#EmailMarketing
I have spent some time contemplating the nature of the internet these days. And I hate that websites have gone away and apps have taken over. But that's the world we live in these days.
Mobile browser shopping dropped from 57% → 45%.
Desktop from 51% → 44%.
#EcommerceGrowth
Mobile browser shopping dropped from 57% → 45%.
Desktop from 51% → 44%.
#EcommerceGrowth
October 9, 2025 at 11:32 AM
I have spent some time contemplating the nature of the internet these days. And I hate that websites have gone away and apps have taken over. But that's the world we live in these days.
Mobile browser shopping dropped from 57% → 45%.
Desktop from 51% → 44%.
#EcommerceGrowth
Mobile browser shopping dropped from 57% → 45%.
Desktop from 51% → 44%.
#EcommerceGrowth
I used to hate shopping apps, and frankly I still do for the most part. But there are a few that have nailed it (Lululemon I am looking at you).
80% of shoppers have 3+ shopping apps.
If yours doesn’t feel like a VIP experience, you’re just another notification.
#AppMarketing
80% of shoppers have 3+ shopping apps.
If yours doesn’t feel like a VIP experience, you’re just another notification.
#AppMarketing
October 8, 2025 at 10:37 PM
I used to hate shopping apps, and frankly I still do for the most part. But there are a few that have nailed it (Lululemon I am looking at you).
80% of shoppers have 3+ shopping apps.
If yours doesn’t feel like a VIP experience, you’re just another notification.
#AppMarketing
80% of shoppers have 3+ shopping apps.
If yours doesn’t feel like a VIP experience, you’re just another notification.
#AppMarketing
Too many hemp beverage brands make the same hiring mistake: over-titling too early.
A director-level hire looks good on paper… until they underdeliver. Then you’re stuck leveling down.
Start manager-level. If the talent brings more juice than expected, leveling up is easy.
#HempBeverages #Hiring
A director-level hire looks good on paper… until they underdeliver. Then you’re stuck leveling down.
Start manager-level. If the talent brings more juice than expected, leveling up is easy.
#HempBeverages #Hiring
October 8, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Too many hemp beverage brands make the same hiring mistake: over-titling too early.
A director-level hire looks good on paper… until they underdeliver. Then you’re stuck leveling down.
Start manager-level. If the talent brings more juice than expected, leveling up is easy.
#HempBeverages #Hiring
A director-level hire looks good on paper… until they underdeliver. Then you’re stuck leveling down.
Start manager-level. If the talent brings more juice than expected, leveling up is easy.
#HempBeverages #Hiring
What happens when hemp beverage brands hire talent rooted in the wrong channel?
👉 Confused messaging
👉 Misaligned sales strategy
👉 Slower growth
This category thrives in liquor stores, grocery, and DTC, not dispensaries.
Hire where your consumer actually shops.
#HempBeverages #HiringStrategy
👉 Confused messaging
👉 Misaligned sales strategy
👉 Slower growth
This category thrives in liquor stores, grocery, and DTC, not dispensaries.
Hire where your consumer actually shops.
#HempBeverages #HiringStrategy
October 8, 2025 at 5:26 PM
What happens when hemp beverage brands hire talent rooted in the wrong channel?
👉 Confused messaging
👉 Misaligned sales strategy
👉 Slower growth
This category thrives in liquor stores, grocery, and DTC, not dispensaries.
Hire where your consumer actually shops.
#HempBeverages #HiringStrategy
👉 Confused messaging
👉 Misaligned sales strategy
👉 Slower growth
This category thrives in liquor stores, grocery, and DTC, not dispensaries.
Hire where your consumer actually shops.
#HempBeverages #HiringStrategy
An interesting piece of consumer psychology I was reading this morning is that excitement now outranks stress as the top BFCM emotion.
Which in today's world is really intriguing piece of data.
If your copy still sounds desperate, you’ll lose to brands selling joy.
#ConsumerPsychology
Which in today's world is really intriguing piece of data.
If your copy still sounds desperate, you’ll lose to brands selling joy.
#ConsumerPsychology
October 8, 2025 at 3:45 PM
An interesting piece of consumer psychology I was reading this morning is that excitement now outranks stress as the top BFCM emotion.
Which in today's world is really intriguing piece of data.
If your copy still sounds desperate, you’ll lose to brands selling joy.
#ConsumerPsychology
Which in today's world is really intriguing piece of data.
If your copy still sounds desperate, you’ll lose to brands selling joy.
#ConsumerPsychology
The best hemp beverage hire isn’t coming from a dispensary.
Consumer base looks more like Chardonnay mom & beer dad than dispensary regular. That’s why traditional alcohol backgrounds often outperform cannabis backgrounds in this category.
Hire for beverage experience first.
#CPG
Consumer base looks more like Chardonnay mom & beer dad than dispensary regular. That’s why traditional alcohol backgrounds often outperform cannabis backgrounds in this category.
Hire for beverage experience first.
#CPG
October 8, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The best hemp beverage hire isn’t coming from a dispensary.
Consumer base looks more like Chardonnay mom & beer dad than dispensary regular. That’s why traditional alcohol backgrounds often outperform cannabis backgrounds in this category.
Hire for beverage experience first.
#CPG
Consumer base looks more like Chardonnay mom & beer dad than dispensary regular. That’s why traditional alcohol backgrounds often outperform cannabis backgrounds in this category.
Hire for beverage experience first.
#CPG
Shoppers aren’t waiting for November for their holiday shopping.
66% start by October. 30% shop year-round.
The “weekend” is now a quarter.
#HolidayShopping
66% start by October. 30% shop year-round.
The “weekend” is now a quarter.
#HolidayShopping
October 8, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Shoppers aren’t waiting for November for their holiday shopping.
66% start by October. 30% shop year-round.
The “weekend” is now a quarter.
#HolidayShopping
66% start by October. 30% shop year-round.
The “weekend” is now a quarter.
#HolidayShopping