What Are Cannabis Drinks – Benefits and Infusion
Drinking Your Cannabis
From protein to vitamins to fruits and veggies… the option of consuming these by means of beverages, shakes, and smoothies has long been considered, by most, a more convenient method of consumption. This rings especially true for those of us with fast-paced lifestyles. If you’re a cannabis consumer, you have probably thought to yourself, “I wish I could just infuse my cannabis into a drink” instead of whatever method you’ve been using. You’re not the first person to have this thought.
Until recently, there were specific hurdles that prevented cannabis companies from infusing their products into a liquid, but with a little ingenuity and advancements in cannabis infusion technology, canna-beverages are racing towards the mainstream. Let’s explore the science behind cannabis drinks and how some people are now having water-compatible cannabis products delivered right to their front door.
Understanding Water Solubility and Cannabis
Have you ever heard the old adage that ‘oil and water don’t mix’? This happens to also be true in the case of cannabis and water. If you were to take a cannabis extract and pour it into water, you would experience a similar reaction. Historically, this has been one of the major hurdles for cannabis brands who have tried to create cannabis-infused drinks.
To better understand why we can’t simply pour a cannabis extract into our favorite beverage, we need to take a look at the chemistry behind the scenes. Cannabinoids are what is described as lipophilic, which means that they are fat loving. Cannabinoids are excellent at infusing themselves into lipids [fat molecules]. This is why many cannabis-infused edible products utilize high-fat content carriers like butter for infusion. On the other end of the lipophilicity spectrum lies hydrophilicity, which means that the compound fuses better with water than lipids. The lipophilicity of cannabinoids is the reason why you can’t simply pour a cannabis extract into a beverage and expect a nice, evenly mixed result — until now.
The Water-Soluble Breakthrough
It seems that everyone is toting around a beverage of some variety these days, so it should come as no surprise that there is an enormous demand for water-soluble, or more accurately, water-compatible cannabis products. Now that you understand the barriers preventing this, it should be recognizable why creating a beverage-friendly cannabis product isn’t as simple as a snap of the fingers.
Fortunately for canna-consumers, the incredibly sharp chemical engineers in the cannabis industry and advancements of infusion technology have paved the path of cannabis drinks by developing methods that give us the ability to mix our cannabinoids and terpenes into aqueous solutions like smoothies, shakes, or just a bottle of water.
The Benefits of Cannabis Drinks
Drinkable cannabis products like Koan Cordials, which make it now possible to incorporate cannabis into everything from your morning pick-me-up drink to an evening cocktail, are sweeping across the industry. These water-soluble cannabis products create numerous opportunities for both medical and recreational consumers.
Convenience – Let’s say you are going on a hike with a group of friends and would like to consume cannabis along the way. You’re torn as to which type of product to pack because edibles can melt in your backpack, you would need to bring too many accessories to properly smoke flower, and your THC tincture just seems like a hassle and could leak in your pack. Thanks to cannabis drinks, all of these concerns can now be left at home because you can now simply pre-mix your desired concentration of cannabinoids into your water bottle prior to setting off on your journey. Of course, this doesn’t solely apply to hiking. The convenience of drinkable cannabinoids is present across the board of activities. Be it yoga, working out, social events, or even relaxing at home, the ability to drink your cannabis is almost certainly considered one of the most convenient intake methods.
Controlled Dosage – If dialing in and controlling your dosage is important for you, then there’s a good chance that you won’t regret making the move to water-compatible cannabis products or at least making them a normal part of your routine. Along with the technological advancements that make water-compatible cannabis products a reality, also comes the ability for brands to more precisely control the dosage delivered by each serving. Koan Cordials are an exemplary example of this as not only are their cordials precisely dosed, but they’re also consistently dosed from batch to batch — a characteristic that is near impossible to find with other forms of cannabis.
Discreet – Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to consume your cannabis while appearing to simply be drinking from a water bottle or sipping a latte? Sometimes smoking flower, vaping, or even pulling out a vibrantly wrapped edible is fine, but there are certainly situations where you may want to be less obvious that you’re consuming a cannabis-infused product. Cannabis drinks provide consumers with this exact ability.
Social Use – While enjoying cannabis with a group of friends can be an enjoyable experience, there aren’t many venues where public cannabis use is permitted. Furthermore, vaping and smoking oftentimes require the group of friends to pass a device around from person to person, presenting its own set of concerns. Part of the beauty behind THC-infused drinks is that they create an environment much like social drinking. Canna-cocktails are rapidly growing in popularity and with concoctions like Feeling Peachy, Steady Eddie, and The Muse, a mid-week happy hour with your friends now comes with less fear of nursing an alcohol hangover the next morning.
Ingredient Control – You’ll be hard pressed to find someone who actively wants empty calories, processed ingredients, or refined sugars to be a part of their cannabis routine. However, many consumers find themselves settling for these less-desirable ingredients because their edible cannabis product contains them. Water-soluble, or more accurately, water-compatible cannabinoids give brands the ability to decide what goes into a cannabis-blend. Sure, there are ways to make your cannabis edibles healthier, but pouring an all-natural cordial directly into your drink gives you, the consumer, more control to decide what you put into your body.
The Future of Cannabis Drinks
You shouldn’t be shocked to hear that cannabis drinks and water-compatible cannabinoids appear to be here for the long-run. Considering the numerous benefits that they bring to the table and the large demand for cannabis-infused drinks, the prevalence of canna-drinks will only continue to grow. In fact, Marijuana Business Daily reports that “sales of cannabis-infused beverages were up 40% in 2019 [3].” Forecast models from Global Industry Analysts, Inc. show this drastic upward trend to continue for the foreseeable future, with a projected US market size of $2 billion by 2026.
…But Wait, You Said I Could Have Water-Soluble Cannabis Delivered, Right?
Correct! Residents of California can now receive their Koan Cordials at home. No matter the experience you’re seeking from cannabis, the numerous blend options of precisely and consistently dosed cannabinoids and terpenes will give you the ability to choose your moment. Whether you are in search of some balance, harmony, and homeostasis or if you’re venturing on a spiritual journey of enlightenment and wonder, Koan Cordials have blends tailored for every mood, every adventure, every day, and most importantly, every person.
This article is for informational purposes only and not to be used as medical advice. Please speak with a medical professional before making any changes to your diet, medications, or daily routine. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References:
- https://weedrepublic.com/blogs/reviews/koan-cordials-vs-cbd-tinctures-a-new-approach-to-the-industry
- https://koan.life/post/serene-sunrise-honey-turmeric-ginger-latte/
- https://mjbizdaily.com/cannabis-infused-beverage-sales-up-40-percent-as-new-consumers-seek-convenient-products/
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-cannabis-beverages-market-to-reach-2-billion-by-2026-301373462.html
