Focus on cannabis drinks

These days, cannabis can be consumed in any form. With legalization spreading more and more around the world, the blossoming cannabis industry is expanding, and some companies are going to offer cannabis-based drinks. After joints, vapos and edibles, say hello to weed drinks!

Canna Cola

Canna Cola was created in 2011 by Diavolo Brands in the state of Colorado. Introduced at a time when Colorado had only legalized medical marijuana, Canna Cola is a range of sodas containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marketed in Colorado dispensaries to offer patients an alternative to the traditional use of cannabis (without smoking or eating it). Priced at between $10 and $12 (€8 and €10), these sodas are now available in every American states that have legalized therapeutic cannabis.

Legal

Legal is a fresh drink flavored with cannabis. It was produced by Washington State-based company Mirth Provisions. Launched in 2014, it is available in dispensaries in states that have legalized cannabis for recreational use. The drink contains 22 milligrams of THC and is available in five flavors, including pomegranate, cherry and lemon. It costs around $10 to $15 (about €8 to €12).

Cannabia

Cannabia is a hemp beer created in 1996 in Germany by Dupetit Natural Products. This beer is brewed with hops and organically grown ingredients. It therefore contains no cannabis and does not get high. It is sold in France on the organic site Green Weez.

In 2012, police seized these hemp beers from an organic store in the town of Le Raincy, Seine-Saint-Denis, according to an article in Release.Proceedings were opened for «incitement to use narcotics», punishable by five years' imprisonment and a fine of 75,000 euros, even though they admitted that there was no trace of cannabis in the drink.

The prefecture had stated: «In addition to its ambiguous name, the bottle is marketed with a label depicting a leaf of a cannabis plant as well as a scratch-off area with the particularity of giving off the smell of cannabis resin when one runs one's finger over it.»

The German company explained that this was the world's first legal hemp beer, and that they had the right to market it in the European Union.

Zasp

Zasp is a refreshing drink created in 2014 by the Zaspco company. It is available in dispensaries in California, Colorado and Nevada. The THC drink is made from cannabis oil, fruity flavours and organic sugar cane. Several flavors are available: black cherry, tangerine, tropical fruit and raspberry. They are available in 80 mg bottles priced at $6 (€5) and 120 mg at $20 (€17).

Hemp2O

Hemp2O, as its name suggests, is an organic hemp water. Originating in San Leandro, California, it is made from hemp oil imported from Canada, which is then processed. It doesn't get high, but is rich in Omega 3 and vitamins B and C. Industrial hemp is legal in the USA, so this drink can be consumed nationwide. It comes in a variety of flavors: pineapple, lemon-raspberry, fresh, grapefruit, watermelon-strawberry, grape and many others.

Cannabis Quencher

Cannabis Quencher is a cannabis-based drink manufactured by the company VCC Brands in California. Created in 2012, these drinks are made with fruit juice and cane sugar or fruit concentrate. Some of these juices contain THC, like the flavors above, which contain 200 mg THC. Others contain more cannabidiol (CBD) such as Mango Cannabis Quencher CBD juice. The 100 mg bottle costs around $14 (approx. 11 euros). The company also sells «Cannabis Quencher» candies with and without THC content.

Canna Punch

CannaPunch is a drink created in the state of Colorado in 2009. The drink is vegan and natural. It is adapted for the therapeutic use of cannabis (it was created before the legalization of recreational cannabis). Several flavors are available: watermelon, black cherry and pineapple-mango. A bottle of 100mg is sold for $25 (around 21 euros).

Pearl2O: «Stay Highdrated!»

Pearl2O is a cannabis-infused water that has just come to market. It was developed over a three-year period by a food scientist and a cannabis manufacturing student from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This water contains as much THC as CBD, i.e. 50 mg, but has neither the smell nor the taste of cannabis. It can be drunk directly or used for cooking, and can even be made into ice cubes. It can be found in Washington State, where it sells for $30 a bottle (25 euros).

Mehdi Bautier