What is cannabis?
Simply put, a cannabis edible is any food or beverage infused using activated cannabis concentration. Health Canada distinguishes “edible Cannabis solids” (such like chocolates or gummies), from “edible Cannabis beverages”.
This article discusses the varieties of cannabis beverages in Spectrum Therapeutics Shop.
How does cannabis beverages compare to other formats
Ready-to–drink, ready-to–drink cannabis-infused beverages have the potential to change how patients with chronic conditions consume their medical marijuana. These beverages can be:
- Patients who experience difficulty with inhaled cannabis formats or pill fatigue will find this product suitable.
- Convenient and precise for precise dosing
- It comes in easy-to drink, unique flavours
- For individual medical needs, available in THC-dominant, balanced and CBD-dominant forms
We encourage you talk to a doctor to see if cannabis-infused drinks are right for your needs.
There are many ways that cannabis edibles (including beverages) activate the cannabinoids. Smoking or vaping cannabis activates the cannabinoids through heating them. These compounds are ready to be consumed when they’re needed.
How does cannabis beverages work?
Your body processes cannabis ingestion differently than cannabis inhaled. The active ingredients in cannabis are absorbed by your bloodstream via your lungs. You may feel the effects within seconds to minutes. You may feel the effects within 30 minutes to 2hours after inhaling cannabis. Your digestive system must first process it.
How are cannabis beverages made
Although manufacturing cannabis beverages can be complex, the following three steps are fundamental:
1. Extracting CO2
You will need to extract cannabis from cannabis in order to infuse beverages. In order to obtain the extract, liquid state carbon dioxide (CO2) must be added to raw cannabis materials under tremendous pressure and heat. After the process has been completed, the CO2 can be released as a gas. The only thing left is the concentrated cannabis extract.
2. Short-path distillation
The extracted cannabis extract is then processed using a short-path method. This process involves heat control and precise vacuum control to transform the concentrated cannabis extract into a refined extract.
3. Emulsification
The refined cannabis extract is not water-soluble, so a blended agent is added. This blending agents attaches directly to the distillate. This allows it dissolve in water and creates a consistent, enjoyable drinking experience.
This process–emulsification–is common in food preparation. Emulsions can be used to make butter and mayonnaise.
Ready to drink
Spectrum Therapeutics Shop stocks a range of cannabis-infused beverages. These drinks can be consumed straight from the container. These beverages taste better when they are chilled. We recommend refrigerating these drinks before drinking.
What regulations are there for cannabis beverages.
How much THC does a cannabis beverage have?
A package of cannabis beverages must not contain more then 10 mg THC. At the moment, there is no limit on how many CBD they can have.
Can you find cannabis beverages for sale?
Can you drink cannabis beverages?
As of today, there aren’t specific regulations that regulate where you can and can’t consume cannabis beverages. But, every province has its own public consumption laws so it’s worth checking your local regulations before you consume cannabis drinks in public spaces.
It is forbidden to consume cannabis in any form while driving, operating heavy machinery, or engaging any other potentially hazardous activity.
Guidelines for responsible drinking of cannabis beverages
It is important to slow down when you consume cannabis-infused beverages.
Initial and lasting effects
After consumption, the effects of cannabis-infused drinks may be felt for between 30 and 2 hours. Some effects may last as long as 12 hour. It is possible for some effects to last up 24 hours (Health Canada 2020).
It can take upto 4 hours for the full effects to be felt from smoking or eating cannabis. In this time frame, you may experience adverse reactions and need to seek medical attention (Health Canada 2020).
For a better understanding of how you will be affected, we recommend that you consume when you have the time.
Can I order more than one beverage?
Spectrum Therapeutics uses a medical equivalency formula to determine the grams-per-day limit. Products with higher levels cannabinoid content will have a higher medical equivalency.
Stay away from children and animals
All of our medicinal cannabis products, as well as beverages, are kept in childproof containers. To be extra safe, cannabis-infused beverages are not to be opened by pets or children.
Illicit market
There are no safety regulations applicable to cannabis drinks purchased from the illegal market. It is impossible for us to know if illicit-market drinks contain the correct or consistent amount of THC or CBD.