On eve of 4/20, cannabis-flavored beer a no-go for two Florida breweries

Federal tax authorities have ordered two South Florida breweries to stop selling craft beer infused with cannabis terpenes oil, putting a damper on their 4/20 party plans.

The cease-and-desist letters were issued over the past week to Invasive Species Brewing in Fort Lauderdale and Devour Brewing in Boynton Beach, according to SouthFlorida.com.

The federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which is part of the U.S. Department of Treasury, sent the letters.

Authorities told SouthFlorida.com that the businesses must have their formulas tested to ensure they aren’t using illicit chemicals.

Phil Gillis, Invasive Species’ head brewer, said he wasn’t aware the oil needed federal approval, given that it contains no THC or CBD.

Breweries of all sizes are increasingly experimenting with cannabis-flavored beverages:

• Lagunitas Brewing in California added terpenes to its Supercritical IPA last year.
• The owner of Corona Beer is working on cannabis-infused beverages for the impending Canadian recreational market.