What was once frowned upon is now a key part of modern culture, with cannabis and hemp playing a big role in wellness and lifestyle. As attitudes shift and regulations evolve, the hemp beverage industry has seen a major rise, introducing innovative and fun alternatives to traditional alcohol and energy drinks. Green Monké Drinks stands as the industry leader in this sector by providing distinctive THC-infused drink options to market success. With Pat Gleeson serving as Co-founder and CEO and Jen Robinson Lockwood as Co-founder and CMO, this pioneering company has transformed its visionary goal into a successful business producing award-winning products.
Green Monké exists to provide people seeking a healthier alcohol alternative a combined experience of THC and CBD relaxation while drinking refreshingly. During the past seven years, the UK-originated hemp beverage company has consolidated its position as a leading and innovative North American brand which receives recognition both for product taste and innovation. The successful entrepreneurial journey of Pat and Jen demonstrates their dedication to both superior taste and wellness as well as the cannabis and hemp industry expansion.
Pat and Jen envision 2025 as a period where they will build the brand’s visibility and advance it toward becoming a platform that educates users about hemp and its functional cannabinoids and shapes a healthier drinking environment. The company’s diverse path comprises numerous obstacles and achievements, delivering a compelling outlook on hemp beverage market development with Green Monké taking the industry lead.
Let’s dive into their story and explore the factors that have helped Green Monké thrive!
The Inspiration Behind Launching Green Monké Drinks
Green Monké didn’t come about overnight, as the co-founders were inspired by their own experiences with cannabis and alcohol alternatives. Pat reflects on the brand’s early days: “Green Monké actually started in the UK more than seven years ago! We were one of the first CBD drink brands, and we were fortunate to become the market-dominant brand.” The original idea was to create a beverage that would help people relax without the harsh effects of alcohol or the high-energy buzz of conventional energy drinks.
The initial success in the UK served as a springboard for the brand’s expansion into the U.S. In 2019, with North America beginning to embrace cannabis legalization, Pat and Jen saw an opportunity to take their concept to a new market. “When we had the chance to try Green Monké with its 20mg of CBD in the UK in 2020, it was delicious! We knew it would be a winner in the U.S. market too,” says Pat.
The U.S. launch in 2021 took a new direction as the beverages were infused with both CBD and a low dose of THC, offering a perfect blend for a more laid-back, balanced experience. The redesign of the brand’s packaging was carefully crafted to reflect its fun, psychedelic vibe while maintaining compliance with regulations across various jurisdictions. “Our designers have done an awesome job of redesigning the logo, it was designed to be simple, yet iconic, while always being fun.” says Jen.
Overcoming Challenges
As with any business, Green Monké’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. One of the significant hurdles Pat and Jen faced was ensuring the product resonated with their target audience, especially in a market that was still new to cannabis-infused beverages. Initially, there was a disconnect between the brand’s intended demographic—people in their 30s and 40s who were looking for low-calorie alcohol alternatives—and the typical cannabis consumer.
Jen explains, “The disconnect was between the consumer we were targeting and the typical consumer who was comfortable going into a cannabis dispensary—much more likely to be looking for cheap, potent weed.” The team quickly realized they needed to align their marketing strategies and distribution channels to reach their desired audience.
“We were fortunate that the explosive growth in the hemp-derived THC sector helped bridge that gap,” says Pat. Green Monké’s partnership with liquor and beer distributors, such as Johnson Brothers and Southern Horizons (an Anheuser-Busch distributor), along with retailers like Total Wines, Circle K, and Piggly Wiggly, allowed the brand to meet consumers where they were already shopping. This strategic move made it easier to compare their alcohol alternative drinks directly to popular alcohol favorites like Pinot Grigio and hard seltzers, making the benefits and appeal more apparent.
What Sets Green Monké Apart from Other Cannabis Beverage Brands?
With so many cannabis beverage brands emerging, what makes Green Monké stand out? For Pat and Jen, the answer is clear: taste and quality. Pat emphasizes, “We have always prioritized taste over everything.” Creating a product that people not only want to try but also want to come back to was key. “Green Monké was designed by beverage makers to be an alcohol alternative—so, we need to taste great so people ask for us again,” Pat adds.
Jen elaborates on the formula, noting, “We designed the drinks to lean into fun, with our balanced cannabinoids and low sugar so they are all fun, and no guilt. A better-for-you celebration drink, without sacrificing taste or function.” Their beverages use a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD to mimic the relaxing effects of alcohol while keeping the sugar content low. The use of the UK’s sweetener system, combining sugar and sucralose, gives the drinks a great mouthfeel without compromising on sweetness. Jen’s favorite flavor is their Tropical Citrus, which she describes as “a citrus-forward cream soda…unique but familiar. It’s been our best-selling flavor in all markets.”
The Evolving Hemp Beverage Market
The hemp beverage market is rapidly evolving, with new brands and products entering the space each month. As the industry grows, so does the importance of educating both consumers and distributors about cannabis and hemp-infused beverages. “Education remains crucial,” says Pat. The brand has taken an active role in this effort by offering resources like their blog at soberishreads.com, featuring dosage meters on cans, and including QR codes that direct consumers to educational content. “Being one of the leading national brands naturally positions us well to contribute to the overall education effort,” Pat notes.
With the growth of both regulated cannabis markets and hemp-derived THC products, Green Monké has positioned itself to be a trusted player in the space. Jen adds, “Our experience in both markets has been a big advantage as we’ve built systems and processes that use the very best standards in the cannabis industry when it comes to quality, product safety, and child safety.”
What’s Next?
In addition to their flagship offerings, the brand is working on introducing new flavors and product lines. One of the most exciting upcoming releases is the Green Monké Orange Cream drink, set to launch in the summer. “We’re pretty humbled by Coca-Cola’s campaign launching their new Orange Cream Coke! But we’re confident that our Orange Cream will lead to more ‘giggles,’” Pat says with a smile.
In addition to flavor innovation, they are also exploring drinks featuring minor cannabinoids. “We’re working on drinks with cannabinoids other than THC and CBD, and we’re aiming to launch those in the fall,” Pat shares.
Branding, Consumer Education, and the Role of Music
One of the biggest hurdles in the cannabis industry has been overcoming the stigma surrounding THC and its effects. For Green Monké, the best way to educate consumers has been to lean into music, a long-standing cultural association with cannabis. In 2023, the brand struck a deal with the Oakview Group and Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, and later expanded with OVG and Pabst Theatre Group in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. These partnerships allowed Green Monké to reach consumers in a fun, memorable setting—live music events.
Pat explains, “People love to drink THC and vibe with live music—our drinks enhance concertgoers’ experiences in a way that is different (and we think, better) than alcohol.” Moreover, these collaborations have helped build the brand’s reputation, with the venues reporting no security incidents among their consumers—an impressive contrast to alcohol drinkers.
Sustainability and Social Responsibility
From the beginning, Green Monké has been committed to environmental sustainability. Jen explains, “We decided early on to avoid plastic packaging and chose aluminum cans instead, as they are the most recyclable material in the U.S.” This commitment to sustainability is reflected in the brand’s operations, from packaging to its dedication to giving back to the community.
“Since starting in 2020 during the pandemic, we’ve contributed to mental health and wellness organizations and supported a Cannabis Entrepreneurship program in California,” Jen says. This commitment to social responsibility remains central to the team’s mission.
Success Stories and Milestones
Green Monké has achieved several milestones on its journey, including becoming the first hemp-infused soda brand to secure a stadium sponsorship with OVG and the Pabst Theatre Group. “Walking into Total Wines and seeing our drinks on the shelves there was a huge moment for us,” says Pat. The brand also partnered with Shea Coulé to celebrate its first birthday and was awarded the global license to produce hemp and cannabis-infused drinks with the #1 most recognized cannabis brand, Cookies.
Vision for 2025 and Beyond
Looking ahead to 2025, Pat and Jen’s vision is clear. “We want to see Green Monké within arm’s reach of all adults seeking a healthier way to relax,” says Pat. Their ultimate goal is to see people enjoying it in everyday moments, whether socializing with a Green Monké at a traditional cocktail bar or enjoying one at a music festival. “I want people connecting and laughing over completely inane things… and not having a hangover in the morning,” adds Jen.
Advice for Aspiring Cannabis Beverage Entrepreneurs
Pat and Jen’s journey showcases the power of passion, persistence, and smart strategy. Their advice to aspiring cannabis beverage entrepreneurs? “Look to the best practices from the alcohol and beer industries,” says Jen. “Those professionals know their markets, know how to formulate amazing drinks, and know how to sell.” Pat also adds, “It’s been a grind, but the key is being passionate about what you’re doing and doing it with a good friend.”
As Green Monké continues to grow and disrupt the cannabis beverage space, its founders remain steadfast in their commitment to making the cannabis experience more accessible, enjoyable, and socially responsible for all.
