There is a lot of buzz these days about cannabis beverages. Typically, edibles and baked goods have been the preferred choice of cannabis users, since cannabinoids mix easily with fat and oils.
In the past, cannabis oil and water separated from each other, creating an inconsistent product with different amounts of cannabis in each sip and a less than desirable taste. Due to the challenging science of making opposites attract, cannabis beverage companies were unable to offer the best beverages for many years. However, that has changed.
With new technology, cannabis markets are now creating better-tasting weed tonics, beers, teas, and aperitifs that meet the needs of casual consumers who prefer alternatives to alcohol. When compared to the flower and vape markets, the cannabis industry, with regard to beverages, may be small, but cannabis beverage sales are booming.
What are cannabis beverages?
Cannabis beverages are basically different types of drinks that are infused with an activated cannabis concentrate. They are also referred to as cannabis edibles or drinkables.
Here are examples of drinks that can be infused with cannabis:
- Craft beer
- Coffee
- Different types of teas
- Kombucha
- Juice
- Wine
- Alcohol-free cocktails
- Soda and colas
- Sparkling water
- Etc.
While most consumers are familiar with edibles in the form of food and baked goods, cannabis-infused beverages are a new phenomenon attracting the cannabis community's attention. Cannabis products have become a large industry in a short amount of time, and the market is rapidly expanding.
Alcoholic cannabis drinks are a trendy way for individuals to relax, and cannabis beverages are renowned for their health and wellness benefits. Cannabis beverages are legal in Canada and can be purchased online or at local cannabis dispensaries.
What are cannabis terpenes and how do they work?
Types of cannabis beverages
Cannabis-infused beverages are available in a wide range of flavors. You can pick the one that best suits your needs, whether you're been looking for something to help you feel better or something to give you the strength you need to get through the week. Cannabis drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, come in a wide variety of flavors.
Some forms of cannabis beverages include:
Cannabis tea
Cannabis tea is a DIY beverage, unlike most other cannabis drinks that are produced, branded, and supplied by large companies. It's usually made by steeping certain portions of the cannabis plant in tea and then consuming the result. Various businesses have introduced caffeine-free marijuana tea bags. This is also an excellent concept for a specialty coffee shop. This cannabis-infused drink has several health advantages. It can help with headaches, sleeplessness, and anxiety, as well as improve your digestion.
Cannabis beer
Because cannabis beers are primarily non-alcoholic, the rule against mixing alcohol and cannabis extract does not apply. It's probably the most popular (and widely available) cannabis-infused drink. There is a distinction between cannabis beer and cannabis-infused beers.
Cannabis-infused beer is essentially THC and CBD blended with non-alcoholic beer, whereas the former is prepared by fermenting cannabis leaves. Cannabis-infused beer can get you drunk if the THC level exceeds a particular threshold, whereas it will simply help you relieve stress if it contains more CBD and little to no THC.
Cannabis soda
This is a cannabis-infused drink that focuses purely on refreshment rather than inducing euphoria. Many cannabis soda makers use CBD instead of THC in their drinks, allowing you to enjoy the soothing properties of cannabis without feeling high or confused. They are an excellent option for non-to-light drinkers or people who are trying cannabis for the first time.
THC-infused beverages have euphoric effects, while CBD-infused beverages are mostly consumed for health benefits and to alleviate various medical ailments. Know what you're searching for while selecting a drink. Try THC-infused beverages and alcoholic drinks if you want a high.
How potent are cannabis beverages?
People that are new to the world of cannabis beverages often wonder which CBD or THC miligram dose is best. The CBD (non-psychoactive) dosage in drinkables found on the market is generally around 15 to 30 mg. However, some customer prefer higher doses between 30 to 50 mg. As for THC, the dosage can vary from 2 mg to 100 mg depending on the effect you’re looking for.
Anyone who has ever had a negative experience with a pot brownie can attest to the fact that edibles can be unpredictable. Edibles are usually metabolized in the liver, where THC transforms into a more potent compound called 11-hydroxy-THC. The effects of edible cannabis products usually appear 30 minutes to two hours after consumption due to the time it takes for the process to take effect.
In contrast, cannabis beverages start kicking in as soon as you get them on your tongue. THC is absorbed into the bloodstream through your mouth, esophagus, and stomach when you imbibe cannabis as a water-soluble liquid.
THC and CBD are the two most important cannabinoids. Although both are present in many cannabis drinks, they are fundamentally distinct. THC and CBD are both psychoactive but in different ways. THC is more potent, because it attaches to brain receptors more intensely. When you smoke, consume, or drink cannabis, it's the THC that makes you high.
CBD, on the other hand, acts as a sedative, and is therefore a common ingredient in most cannabis-based medicines. Smaller doses, such as 1 to 2.5 mg, may have no psychoactive effect. Large doses can provide powerful psychoactive effects as well as some positive side effects such as pain alleviation and happiness. Although most cannabis drinks contain both CBD and THC, it is the THC amount that should concern the user.
What are the benefits of marijuana beverages?
Marijuana beverages have several benefits. Low-calorie flavored beverages and tea can be prepared for the health-conscious. THC extracts can also be used to mask the undesirable smells and odors linked to the cannabis plant. As a result, customers can enjoy the drink's natural flavors.
Plenty of options to choose from
Even though many manufacturers are still experimenting with different methods to combine drinks with marijuana, there are currently a variety of products available, including fruit drinks, sodas, tea packs, bottled coffee, and kombucha.
They work faster
Sometimes consumers prioritize beverages over other edibles, as they usually take around 15 minutes to take effect. The cannabinoids are ingested sublingually, while sipping, and digested faster than edible cannabis products like truffles, cereal bars, biscuits, and macarons.
Cannabis beverages taste great
It's a prevalent misunderstanding that cannabinoid-infused beverages taste weird, but this is not true. To generate a pleasing taste, infused drinks are frequently mixed with a variety of great flavors. Consider grape, watermelon, mango, pineapple, blue raspberry, and a variety of other fruits.
They are great alternatives to alcohol
Try turning to a cannabis beverage rather than a glass of wine to relax after a long day. They're designed to help you relax and don't come with the same set of health risks.
Cannabis beverages don't have psychoactive effects
You won't get high if you consume a CBD-infused beverage because it doesn't contain any psychoactive ingredients. While marijuana beverages can help you relax, not all of them include THC, the psychoactive ingredient found in cannabis.
What are the effects of cannabis beverages?
Cannabis drinks are a smoke-free alternative of consuming cannabis. Smoking cannabis flowers entails some health risks which can be avoided by consuming drinkables or marijuana beverages.
The cannabinoids in cannabis drinks are processed through the digestive system. As a result, the effects can begin to make themselves felt within 30 minutes to 4 hours or more. The impact of cannabis drinks can last from 12 to 24 hours.
It is important to carefully read the product description to determine the amount of THC and CBD it contains. If you're new to edibles, go for a brand with a low THC content or a high CBD content to mitigate the negative effects of THC.
Smoking cannabis with alcohol at the same time is not a good idea. The potential consequences include excessive drunkenness, dizziness, nausea, and decreased focus and reaction times. Taking cannabis and alcohol can significantly raise the risk of psychotic symptoms in vulnerable individuals.
What's the difference between indica, sativa and hybrid?
Buying guide for THC and CBD beverages
Many cannabis smokers have started to turn to cannabis beverages due to their unique tastes and distinctive effects. Furthermore, most cannabis beverages are minimal in calories, making them a great competitor to renowned hard seltzer beverage brands.
You and you alone can decide whether a THC-infused drink is good for you, just as you would with any other cannabis product. Before making a purchase, consider the following:
● The potency of the product. The product should contain no more than 10 mg THC.
● The presence of sugar and allergens in the product.
● The shelf life of the product. This is important, especially if you don't plan to consume the entire thing in one go.
What’s incredible is that cannabis beverages are manufactured from distilled cannabinoids, which means they don't have the grassy taste of raw pot. The majority of items are either flavored or unflavored. Furthermore, some items obtain their flavor from terpenes. Cannabis beverages are a great substitute for people who are trying to stop smoking marijuana.
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Seed & Stone is an owner-operated non-medical cannabis retail brand. Our cannabis stores provide guidance with the goal to educate, inform, and contribute expertise on safe cannabis purchasing and consumption.
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