When it comes to weed edibles, there are many options available for you, ranging from weed gummies, chocolate edibles, and weed brownies.
One type of cannabis edibles that’s not as known are marijuana beverages.
Marijuana beverages are becoming increasingly popular. Unlike tinctures, which are infused with weed, marijuana beverages are more like cocoa, tea or coffee, or any other beverage that’s packed with cannabinoids.
The beverages are absorbed into the body through digestion before they enter into the bloodstream. Because of their long-lasting effects, they are ideal for those who are looking for a psychoactive experience — or for medical use.
That being said, there are many different types of marijuana beverages that can be bought online. If you’re ambitious enough, you can also make your own beverages. These are becoming an easy and convenient way of consuming weed. All you have to do is rather simple: drink the beverage and wait for the effects to kick in.
It’s important to note that marijuana beverages are packed with cannabinoids and thus, their effect can be extremely strong. As such you need to exercise caution when you think of consuming them. You also need to know their weed concentration, how long their effects last, how to make them, or where to buy. Here’s a complete guide to consuming marijuana beverages.
Why drink cannabis beverages
There are many interesting ways of consuming cannabis today and weed beverages are one of the methods that are becoming increasingly popular. Cannabis beverages are like edibles, only that they come in liquid form.
What are the pros and cons of using weed edibles?
One of the most obvious advantages of such beverages is that you get to enjoy them more than other weed edibles. Here’s how. For a start, marijuana beverages look like cocoa or iced tea, and you’ll be surprised at how they strikingly resemble the two beverages. You get to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa that’s laced with THC. That seems pretty cool, no?
Beverages are also known for their intense effects. When digested, THC converts into 11-hydroxyl-THC, giving you an intense high. If you’re after the medical benefits of cannabis, you’ve not been left behind. There are lots of CBD based marijuana beverages for you. They can be mixed with other beverages and consumed for their potent medical benefits without the euphoric high.
Types of marijuana beverages
Cannabis beverages are not just limited to cocoa, coffee or tea. There are many other interesting cannabis-infused drinks that you can choose from. You can, for instance, add THC or CBD to your smoothies or juices.
Cannabis-infused beverages are of three different kinds; some are infused with THC, others with CBD and some both.
- THC beverages: Like THC edibles, these give you a euphoric high and your body will experience a relaxing feeling. It’s good for counteracting stress, pain or anxiety disorders. A high from a THC beverage lasts for hours and most users prefer THC based beverages for recreational purposes.
- CBD beverages: These are the most preferred beverages for medical use. They don’t contain any THC, so there’s no euphoric high to talk of. Even if they don’t give you any high, they are effective in treating your pain, inflammation, or other disorders. They are ideal for those who are consuming cannabis for medical reasons.
- CBD/THC beverages: These have a healthy mix of both THC and CBD, and are known to give you the medical benefits of marijuana and a mild high. It’s a perfect combination for those who are after the medical benefits of weed but need to enjoy spectacular highs when doing so.
How long do the effects last?
It’s important to note that the effects of weed beverages are not to be felt immediately. You’ll need to wait for the cannabinoids to be digested and absorbed into the bloodstream. This may take anywhere between 30 minutes and two hours, depending on the beverage you choose. When you ingest weed beverages, the liquid is first taken in by your liver, which processes it into 11-hydroxyl-THC, a compound that’s easily absorbed by the blood. With edibles, highs might take time to kick in. However, once they do, they last long. Most last for between 4 and 12 hours.
How fast the effects kick in depends with a few factors, including the consumer’s metabolism rate and body mass. It tends to take less time for those with a higher metabolism rate before they feel the effects of weed beverages. The same applies to those with a lower body mass.
The type of product and the dosage also matters. Some products are absorbed faster than others. As far as dosage goes, you’ll get to experience the effects faster if you take a higher dose. Weed tolerance also matters. If you’re used to consuming weed, you’ll get high slower than someone who’s just had his first weed edible.
Marijuana beverage dosage guide
With marijuana drinks, dosage matters a lot. It’s recommended you start with a small dose before gradually increasing it to the required levels.
10 mg of THC is the normal serving size for marijuana drinks. Inasmuch as it seems like a small dose, it still gives you a high.
You can start with a microdose of 5 mg, as this is easily manageable especially for first-time users.
With CBD, any dose works. And you don’t need to worry about overdosing.
A dose of 15-20mg gives you relief from pain, inflammation, anxiety and other ailments.
For severe anxiety and epilepsy, a dose of up to 300 mg of CBD is recommended.
Best marijuana beverages to buy
If you are into marijuana drinks, you’ll be spoilt for choice as there are many products on offer. At Weedsmart.ca, we have a variety of products for you, as long as you’re 19 or older. Here is a list of best marijuana beverages that you can buy.
CBD Naturals Solar Rain Water: By combining the ultra-hydrating, detox and weight loss benefits of Alkaline water (pH 9+) with the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant benefits of hemp CBD and the health benefits of other vital minerals and nutrients, Isodiol’s team of researchers, doctors and collaborators have come up with functional waters they believe offer a virtual fountain of youth, health and performance.
Mota canna cocoa. For those of you who prefer a hot drink in the evening, this product is ideal. It’s a cocoa drink that has been infused with weed. A packet containing 150 mg of THC goes for $17.
Temple tea caramel chia pu-erh. This tea mix comes in many flavors, including ginger, caramel, and cinnamon. Each packet has 120 mg of THC and 20mg of CBD. It’s perfect for recreational and medical purposes.
Temple Yoni Relax tea. This weed-infused tea is potent, with 200 mg of THC and 100 mg of CBD, and can be split into many servings. It’s mixed with other organic ingredients, including chamomile, mint, St. Johns wort, and willow bark.
Given that there are many other flavors and types of marijuana beverages, we recommend that you check out our online list.
How to make your own marijuana drinks
The good thing about marijuana beverages is that you have lots of choices. If ready-made beverages aren’t your thing, you can easily make your own custom beverages. All that is needed is a cannabis tincture, which you can add to any edible or beverage, including smoothies, hot drinks, and other edibles.
Tinctures come with a dropper, so you won’t worry about overdosing your THC intake. For CBD, any dose is good.
Alternatives to marijuana beverages
Weed beverages might give you strong highs and a long-lasting effect, but like anything else, they might not be ideal for everyone. So, what are the alternatives?
Edibles. These function in a similar way to beverages. You can try out a cookie to get a strong longer-lasting high for either recreational or medical purposes.
Concentrates are another worthy alternative that you can try. They have lots of THC and are to be taken in moderation. Start with small doses. Concentrates are best used for vaping and dabbing.
You can also use vape oils to get high. All you need is a vaporizer or a vape pen and you’re good to go. So many other options exist online, including a range of marijuana strains.
Conclusion
All in all, marijuana beverages are worth trying given their strong and long-lasting effects. Their effects might take time to kick in but you get a strong high that lasts for hours. Furthermore, you can use tinctures to create your own beverages and edibles.
Some marijuana beverages are loaded with high levels of THC and are good for recreational purposes. Others are filled with CBD, designed to fight inflammation, anxiety and depression, and many more medical conditions.