Inside the Hemp Beverage Supply Chain with Kyle Marinkovich

KM: NDS was founded as an ingredient-first company. Our roots are in food and beverage, and that informs everything we do. While we operate in the hemp space, we built our systems to the same quality standards as traditional ingredient suppliers. This gives our clients confidence—not just in the emulsion, but in the entire experience we provide. From cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, and CBG to hemp-derived THC, we help brands develop targeted products with a deep understanding of their ingredient functionality.

KM: The category exploded, particularly in states like Minnesota where low-dose edibles were legalized. It’s an incredible opportunity, but it also means we’re navigating a space where standards and best practices don’t always exist yet. We built our business to operate at a high standard, so we’re able to help brands scale without compromising quality. Retailers are seeing real shelf velocity with these products, and even brewers say it’s helped save their business.

KM: We see four major ones:

1. Testing: Getting compliant, accurate results that meet distributor/retailer specs.
2. Formulation: Ingredients must work with the emulsion—get this wrong and your product might separate or fail stability.
3. Packaging: Can liners can interact with the emulsion in a phenomenon called scalping. If not managed, it compromises dosage.
4. Partnership: Everything hinges on trusted, transparent relationships. From grower to co-packer to lab, you need the right people aligned.

KM: Many don’t realize how much packaging can impact the final product. Emulsion compounds can be attracted to can liners, reducing potency in the final drink. We work closely with customers to run scalping tests and recommend the right packaging choices upfront to avoid expensive re-dos.

KM: It’s everything. NDS is vertically integrated—we manage extraction, emulsion, and even work directly with trusted growers. If our growers fail, we fail. And if we fail, our customers fail.

On the lab side, SC Labs is a key partner. Their transparency and willingness to “run to the problem” aligns with our values. You can’t succeed in hemp beverages without partners who are as invested in your success as you are.

KM: Start with strategy and own your formula. Too often, brands let third-party formulators keep that IP—which makes it hard to troubleshoot. Prioritize your emulsion above all other ingredients and validate your co-packer’s process. If you’re seeing unexpected test results, don’t assume it’s the emulsion. Work with your lab and your partners to trace the issue.

Also, know that bumps will happen. Treat early development like therapy: prepare your team for challenges and build trust in the process.

KM: This space is still young, but it’s growing fast. More mainstream brands are entering, and consumers are finding that these drinks offer a reliable, approachable way to try cannabis. NDS is focused on scaling without sacrificing quality. We’re also expanding our education efforts so that brands understand what makes these products succeed—and how to build smarter from the start.