Sponsored Content

You can eat your edibles and drink them too! Although weed gummies have long dominated the edibles market, a new cannabis-derived product is surging in popularity: THC drinks. 

From 2019 to 2022, sales of cannabis beverages increased by 40%, making beverages one of the fastest-growing segments of the cannabis market. 

Grand View Research estimates that by 2025, the global cannabis beverage market will be worth $2.8 billion. This still represents only a small fraction of the total cannabis market; however, the impressive rate of growth represents a huge opportunity for expansion. 

What’s all the buzz about? Why do people love drinking cannabis? Learn more about the benefits of THC drinks below. 

What are THC edibles? 

Edibles are cannabis products that you consume to gain the benefits of THC, the natural compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. Being both convenient and discrete, edibles are one of the most popular ways to enjoy THC.

There are all kinds of edibles: gummies, lollipops, chocolates, brownies, cookies, cakes, potato chips, crackers, trail mix. You can even get cannabis-infused beef jerky, salsa, and pizza sauce.

There are numerous legal THC edibles available online. For a product to contain legal THC it must be hemp-derived and have no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC. Despite this strict limit, the product can still contain a sizable and effective amount of Delta-9 THC, especially a weighty product like a cannabis beverage.

Seltzers and juices are the most popular THC drinks, but cannabis water, coffee, tea, and soda are also in demand.

Benefits of THC Drinks

THC drinks provide fast-acting effects that you’ll feel within 15 to 30 minutes, which gives you greater control over your psychoactive experience than if you eat gummies, which take longer to take effect. 

If you’re sipping a THC drink, and feel like you’re coasting at an enjoyable level, you can stop drinking. Alternatively, if you’re not feeling much, you have the option to drink more to elevate your experience.

Because you can sip THC drinks all night long, they provide a more enduring experience, functioning as a social beverage. In fact, many people use THC drinks as an alternative to alcohol.

Benefits of THC Gummies

It’s undeniable that THC drinks have a ton of benefits, but so do THC gummies. For starters, gummies are more portable; they’re easier to travel with and to consume on the go.

Their psychoactive effects also last longer. While it takes 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel the effects of THC gummies, they last between 6 to 8 hours. This means you don’t have to take additional THC gummies to maintain a long high. 

Because THC gummies have been around longer than THC drinks, more THC gummy options are available. You can buy both Delta-8 gummies and Delta-9 gummies online from countless companies. But be careful: not all of these companies offer high-quality products.

Are THC gummies or THC drinks better? 

There’s no definitive answer to whether THC gummies or THC drinks are better. Both have their own unique benefits, so it really comes down to the experience you’re looking for. 

THC gummies are great for unwinding at home while enjoying snacks and a movie marathon. THC drinks are perfect for socializing while you’re at a party with friends.

If you can’t decide on one or the other, why not try both? Order lab-tested, federally legal THC gummies and THC seltzer from CrescentCanna.Com.

Article placed by Crescent Canna, info@crescentcanna.com.
The news and editorial staff of the Bay Area News Group had no role in this post’s preparation.

Growers generally create cannabis strains by breeding varieties based on their terpene profiles, which affect their psychoactive properties and drive consumer preference. Terpene profiles influence effects such as energy levels and mental clarity. 

Below are suggested strains to pair with some of your favorite activities. 

Head Out for a Night on the Town

Super Silver Haze is an excellent choice for a night out on the town.  Users report this strain will enhance your experiences by giving you an energy boost and a body buzz while reducing your weekday stress and social anxiety. 

Users say another benefit of Super Silver Haze is the enhancement of your senses. The club lights will be breathtaking, drinks taste better, and the music immerses you. This is the strain to use before starting an unforgettable night out.

Exercise

Mixing cannabis and exercise has been increasing in popularity. There are even gyms that promote the practice. pairing exercise with cannabis. The popular Durban Poison strain will likely give you bursts of energy, help you feel clearheaded, and may increase your productivity. This strain is also a popular exercise enhancer because users say it reduces fatigue and boosts motivation. 

“The majority of participants who endorsed using cannabis shortly before/after exercise reported that doing so enhances their enjoyment of and recovery from exercise, and approximately half reported that it increases their motivation to exercise,” according to a study published in Frontiers in Public Health.

Watch a Documentary

If you want a relaxing evening in front of the TV, Cereal Milk may be exactly what you are looking for. Users say this strain will calm your daily stresses while soothing your body and mind. This strain is also known to improve focus, allowing you to absorb information thoughtfully.

Laugh at a Comedy Show

One of the pronounced effects of the Tropicana Cookies strain is that it has been known to cause fits of giggles — which is why it’s an excellent option when seeing a comedian or attending an improv show. Users report this strain also increases your energy while letting you stay focused and level-headed. Because the strain is also a social enhancer, it can make a comedy show with friends even more enjoyable. 

Read a Book

There’s no better way to spend a moody evening than with a cozy blanket, a thrilling book, and some cannabis to immerse yourself in the story fully. Gelato may be just the strain for this scenario. Users say Gelato increases your focus, improves mood, relieves stress, and allows your imagination to jump into whatever adventure you are reading. 

Go on a Date

Something as special as blossoming love requires the Unicorn Poop strain. This hybrid strain is perfect for date night because many say it improves conversation, gives you a small bout of giggles, and gently puts your body and mind into a euphoric state.

Cheer on Your Team at a Sporting Event

Sporting events are known for their ice-cold beers, cheering fans, and high energy. The Lemon Cake OG is an excellent addition to your game day checklist. This strain will likely give you all the energy needed to cheer your team to a win. The stimulating buzz accompanying this strain will invigorate your body and mind, adding to the excitement of the competition. While it doesn’t guarantee a win for your team, it can offer fans an exciting experience.

Whatever your plans, consider using a special strain to get you in the right mood to experience each activity to the fullest!

Cannabis-infused beverages are among the industry’s hottest trends. The consumer packaged goods sector is seeing steady growth in both legal U.S. states and Canada, which only allowed sales of the drinks beginning in 2020.

Companies like Keef, Cann, and Wync are making nonalcoholic sodas, tonics, and seltzers that will get you high — typically infused with low doses of cannabis. 

Meanwhile, traditional distilleries — like Breckenridge Distillery in Colorado — are being acquired by Canadian cannabis giants. These corporations likely see a legal future in the U.S. that will allow them to manufacture liquor-free and cannabis-infused versions of popular spirits. 

At Breckenridge, the founder told Denver Business Journal that he’s already experimenting with making alcohol-free “liquor.” He said the next step, when cannabis is legal nationally, will likely be replacing that alcohol with cannabis.

How to Make Your Own 

And then there are the bootleg mixologists creating their homemade concoctions. Most U.S. states will not permit the coexistence of a liquor license and a license to sell cannabis in the same establishment. With similar rules in Canada, you’ll not likely find a craft cannabis cocktail at a restaurant or bar nearby soon.

Some scientific evidence indicates combining alcohol and cannabis at the same time can magnify the effects of one or the other or both. Most governments aren’t itching to be the first in the nation to allow people to consume both in one public setting.

Still, mixologists, like the famed chef and author Warren Bobrow, are experimenting and walking aspiring cannabis cocktail creators through the process. 

According to the food-focused website The Spruce Eats, Bobrow, who’s earned the enviable nickname “The Cocktail Whisperer,” offers the following advice in his book:

• Be safe and kick things off with nonalcoholic drinks spiked with low-dose cannabis-infused products like syrups or tinctures. 
• Use recipes from solid sources, like Bobrow’s book. And don’t go rogue. Follow the recipes to a T. Once you know how they will affect you, begin experimenting.
• Consume in a safe place that doesn’t require driving.
• Be patient: The effects of consuming cannabis through eating or drinking can take longer to experience. Big-name manufacturers like Cann and Keef are figuring out how to make fast-acting THC-infused beverages. You likely don’t have the time, team, or resources to do that yourself. So be safe and go slow.

But, Should You?

Remember that it’s not as simple as grinding up some flower and throwing it in your drink. Not only would that be inedible, but it would also be ineffective. Cannabis has to be heated to activate the cannabinoids you want in your drink — like THC and CBD.

Companies like Ripple, Sprinkle, and Ebb are making increasingly tasteless and odorless powders with relatively fast activation times. Think 15 minutes. And concentrated additives like tinctures have been around for years.

The bottom line is that you could make your own activated (“decarboxylated”) cannabis at home. But it will stink up the whole house or apartment building (and risk getting evicted in most cases — read your lease). Or you can visit your local dispensary for the active ingredient to perfect your house-made cocktail.

And take it easy, will you? Weed and booze aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Enter: The wedding cannabis bar.

Anecdotal reports from recreationally-legal cannabis states show that many couples offer their guests cannabis. This can be instead of, or in addition to, the traditional open bar featuring beer, wine, and liquor.

“It grows exponentially each year,” Cat Goldberg, the founder of WeedBar in Los Angeles, told a reporter from Nexstar Media. “People are going to events where they see that people are using cannabis and not drinking alcohol, and they’re like, ‘I want this energy at my wedding.’”

But what exactly is a cannabis bar? What should it offer to keep a party light and energized? How do you find a budtender and ensure you’re going about the whole thing legally? Let’s dive in.

What is a cannabis bar?

A cannabis bar is precisely what it sounds like: A bar area in an event setting that offers legal cannabis products to consenting adults. However, don’t just think of a messy table with a bunch of weed haphazardly strewn across it. Think elegantly rolled joints, delicious infused hors d’oeuvres, decadent desert edibles, and clearly labeled concentrates with high-end hardware for consumption.

What strains of cannabis should I offer to ensure people aren’t falling asleep on the dancefloor?

First, hire a DJ that’ll energize the crowd throughout the night. Once you’ve got that down, start thinking about strains. While it’s easy to think “sativa” since it’s the type of cannabis best known for keeping people energized and creative, many people experience anxiety on pure sativas.

You’ll want to go to a cannabis retail store and talk to a budtender about good hybrids that provide an uplifting but balanced high. 

You can even make sure you have different options and have fun with the theme. Many strains that fall into this category have names easily tied into a wedding event. Think Wedding Cake, which provides euphoria while calming the mind and body. Purple Champagne, another apt choice, is a sativa-dominant hybrid strain that users at the authoritative Leafly database rank as uplifting and energetic.

Where should I get my edibles?

Every major metropolitan area with legal adult-use cannabis should have a licensed bakery specializing in cannabis-infused goods. Google is your friend here. But the keyword is “licensed.” You want to check that you’re providing your guests legal goodies, and that they’re not going to make anybody sick due to poor kitchen practices.

How much cannabis do I need?

One gram of cannabis is the standard for a traditional joint. That means there are 28 joints in an ounce of cannabis. Assume that most of your guests will share those joints and that, unless you know your friends are true stoners, one joint is enough to get two to three people high. Also, assume that not all of your guests will consume. Planning for one gram of cannabis per guest will likely leave enough for post-honeymoon leftovers (because traveling with cannabis is dangerous).

Pro-tip: Ask for very low-dose edibles (2.5mg should do) to prevent overconsumption.

I need somebody to roll these joints — and a budtender. Help!

Rolling 100 joints is no fun. It would be best if you had somebody who can knowledgeably serve your guests at your wedding so you can focus on the important stuff — like saying your vows.

That’s where you want to bring in a professional. Companies like Weedbar in Los Angeles and Love and Marij in Colorado know local laws and will help you get set up safely and legally.

There’s also a traveling Cannabis Wedding Expo that brings together engaged couples, cannabis brands, and wedding planners to potentially work together.

There are ways to do this yourself without the help of an expert, but cannabis law is complicated and fragmented state by state. For example, a location with a liquor license, like a wedding venue, may not be permitted to host a cannabis bar according to your state’s law. You may need to set up a separate tent on the grounds.

So to avoid risking potential legal action or a lawsuit by an attendee who accidentally consumed too much weed, seek out an experienced company. An established company can mitigate risk and work out the details with your wedding venue, which is likely not used to hosting 420-friendly events. 

Also: Congratulations!

While there are plenty of options when it comes to edibles, like cookies, chocolates, caramels, and mints, gummies are king. Seattle-based cannabis market intelligence firm Headset predicts that sales of edibles will hit $3 billion in 2022, and nearly three-quarters of those sales (71%) will be gummies.

So, it’s no shocker that gummies dominate a list of the top-reviewed cannabis edibles in the U.S. 

There are currently no actual central marketplaces where people can buy cannabis products and then rate or review them. And with cannabis being an especially fractured market thanks to its federally illegal status and each state having its own rules and product availability, there’s also no national “Amazon” of weed where we can find customer ratings. 

To find the top-reviewed cannabis edibles in the U.S., we looked at the only metric we can: how patients and customers rate cannabis edibles with their dollars. We turned to two intelligence firms plugged into point-of-sale systems nationwide for that data: Headset and Colorado-based intelligence firm BDSA. 

Three companies, two focused solely on cannabis gummies, currently dominate the game, racing to reach as many states as possible. They each offer many options when it comes to flavors and technology. In fact, nearly every slot in the top-selling products in legal states (except Washington) Headset analyzed is taken by some flavor or product made by one of these brands.

And between the three, they cover most of the 19 legal adult-use states and some medical-only ones.

These are the top-rated cannabis edibles across the U.S.

Wyld

This Oregon-based juggernaut is laser-focused on gummies—a product that Forbes calls “The Edible That Devoured America.” Wyld offers traditional flavors like raspberry and strawberry and less-common huckleberry and marionberry. It’s quickly establishing itself as the “it” cannabis edibles brand. 

You can buy Wyld in Oregon, Colorado, California, Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, and Washington.

Kiva

California-based Kiva’s slogan is “Cannabis confections you can count on.” The wide variety of products it sells proves that out. With chocolate bars in flavors like birthday cake and s’mores; mints with names like Tart Cherry and Blackberry CBN; espresso-, blueberry- and peppermint-flavored chocolate “bites;” and a line of chews, there’s bound to be something you’ll like. Oh, and did we mention they also make top-selling gummies?

Kiva is sold in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, and Oklahoma.

Wana Brands

This Colorado-based giant is expanding quickly with its unique lines of gummies. That’s probably why it’s among customers’ top choices, according to Headset and BDSA. Sure, Wana sells traditional “indica” or “sativa” gummies in flavors like strawberry, watermelon, and the always popular “assorted flavors.” It’s also a pioneer in fast-acting technology that allows for the quicker onset of the cannabis “high” meant to mimic the feeling of smoking cannabis flower. It also released a gummies line made with live rosin. This unique concentrate is made by freezing the entire cannabis plant and extracting its cannabinoids and terpenes through a heating process with no solvents. Wana Brands strongly focuses on cannabinoids, with a line of CBD-only gummies and THC gummies fortified with CBD and other cannabinoids. 

Wana Brands has the largest footprint of the top three, with sales in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Oregon.

Incredibles

Colorado-founded Incredibles (sometimes called “Incredibles Edibles”) is a top seller in several states, with its chocolate bars, gummies, tarts, and mints. The company is one of the first big legal cannabis chocolate-bar makers, and the results show. Chicago-based Green Thumb Industries, which operates retail outlets in several states, acquired Incredibles.

You can find Incredibles in Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, Virginia, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Ohio.

Grön

Grön’s sugar-coated gummy “pearls” are a big hit in Arizona, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Their big focus on the “minor cannabinoids,” like CBG, and a line of flavors that range from blueberry lemonade to passion orange guava, give the company an advantage. They also carry a line of chocolates.

It’s a short list of edibles brands that customers say stand out. Still, as more states go legal and more entrepreneurs can enter the game, expect these numbers to grow.

Contrary to popular belief, hemp and marijuana are not two different species of plants. The only actual difference between hemp and marijuana is their THC content. According to the Agricultural Act of 2018, hemp contains 0.3% or less THC than traditional marijuana (cannabis that can get you high). 

Hemp is a versatile plant that manufacturers use to create several products, including paper, clothing, and building materials. Keep reading to learn more about the many uses of this billion-dollar crop. 

Hemp Paper 

Not all paper is made from trees. In fact, hemp paper dates back to the Western Han Dynasty (202 B.C.–9 A.D). According to the American Forest & Paper Association, Chinese court official Ts’ai Lun invented paper using a mixture of mulberry bark, hemp, and water. Lun mashed these ingredients into a pulp, pressed out the liquid, and then hung the remaining mat to dry in the sun. The end result? Paper. 

Lun’s invention didn’t hit the Middle East until 300 years later. It took another 500 years for Europe to catch up. Once word spread to Europe, paper became a popular product. People used it to print books, bibles, and legal documents. 

By 1690, the U.S. had built its first paper mill in Pennsylvania. In the beginning, the U.S. paper mills used Lun’s method. But, as the demand grew, the technique and materials changed. Thanks to the MarijuanaTax Act of 1937, the mills switched from hemp to wood, which was cheaper and legal.

Hemp Foods and Beverages 

Hemp seeds make for a tasty and nutritious topper on yogurt, salads, oatmeal, rice, and veggies. They’re also packed with vitamins (vitamins B and E), minerals (sodium, iron, calcium, sulfur, and potassium, to name a few), and fatty acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6). What’s more? Hemp seeds may produce anti-inflammatory effects. 

Other hemp-based foods include: 

• Hemp seed butter (an alternative for those with a nut allergy).
• Hemp flour (gluten-free and delicious).
• Hemp honey (ideal for sweetening coffee, tea, baked goods, etc.).
• Hemp milk (a non-dairy milk alternative).
• Hemp protein powder (vegan and nutritious).

Hemp can be made into just about anything, including vodka and chewing gum. 

Hemp Building Materials 

Hemp lumber is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional lumber. It has a harvest time of four months (most trees used for lumber can take anywhere between 20 to 80 years). It’s also durable, and according to HempBuild Magazine, it’s 20% harder than oak wood. 

HempWood (owned by Fibonacci LLC, and founded by Greg Wilson) launched a new, sustainable wood alternative in 2019. According to the company’s website, HempWood can be used for flooring, furniture, or other construction materials. Plus, when it comes to price, HempWood is much more affordable than most domestic hardwoods. 

HempWood isn’t the only hemp-based building material out there. Hempcrete (that’s right, a hemp-based concrete alternative) is another versatile construction material. It’s made from hemp hurd (a part of the plant that was previously considered “waste”), lime, and other natural ingredients. Hempcrete is plant-based, energy-efficient, and 100% recyclable.  

According to the Hemp Foundation, the hemp plant has more than 50,000 known uses, from paper to medication. And thanks to the Hemp Farming Act of 2018, American farmers are allowed to grow hemp as a rotational crop. Even so, there are restrictions in place. But, if we keep fighting, hemp may be the answer to a greener tomorrow.

Denver

Colorado was the first state to sell legal, adult-use weed. The Mile High City is still one of the top destinations this time of year, thanks in no small part to its mild, dry, and mostly predictable climate. 

And while it’s still illegal to consume cannabis in public places and no hotels allow it (yet), 2022 marks the year the first cannabis consumption lounges opened. Check out Black-owned Tetra Lounge in the trendy RiNo neighborhood or The Coffee Joint near Lincoln Park. You need to bring your weed because neither is licensed to sell cannabis on-premises.

Denver is also home to a booming, creative restaurant scene that could see you enjoying high-end cuisine on the rooftop of a former mortuary or chowing down on vegan corn dogs at a divey bar next door to a rowdy rock venue. Those spots are right along the city’s famous Green Mile, where you can choose from 18 dispensaries over a two-mile stretch.

Chicago

In late summer, Chicago starts to mellow out after being hot and sticky for months. It’s also the calm before the frigid winter that earns the “Windy City” its nickname. Chicago launched legal adult-use cannabis sales two years ago. It has a somewhat established dispensary scene and is the home base for many multistate operators and multinational cannabis corporations due to its central U.S. location and proximity to federally legal Canada.

Just in time for the 2022 420 holiday, a consumption lounge opened inside a dispensary run by Chicago-based giant Green Thumb Industries in the northern suburb of Mundelein.

Some of the more popular Chicago spots like The Bean and Superdawg Drive-In seem custom-made for stoned tourists. Don’t miss the T-Rex and famous artworks recreated using Legos at “The Art of the Brick” exhibit at the Museum of Science + Industry Chicago that runs through Sept. 5.

For a different kind of culture, hit up the Pilsen neighborhood, which Forbes named one of “The 12 Coolest Neighborhoods Around the World” in 2018. It’s celebrated for its street art, music venues, boutiques, and award-winning restaurant scene.

Seattle

Late summer is typically dry and sunny in the notoriously dreary city of Seattle. There’s no better time to hit up the second major U.S. city to legalize the sale of recreational cannabis.

Stock up at LGBTQ-owned Pot Shop Seattle in the Westlake neighborhood, which boasts on its website that it’s “Home of the original Wake & Bake Special”—that’s 10% off all purchases before noon.

And don’t miss The Pink Door—a restaurant with no actual signage. You’ll know you’re at the right place when you see the literal pink door that opens to a critically acclaimed experience of pasta and trapeze shows. And it’s just blocks from the original Starbucks at Pike Place Market. 

Just make sure you consume your cannabis before you walk out the door of your private residence or 420-friendly Airbnb, because Seattle does not have any consumption lounges nearby.

Toronto

If you’re looking for an international destination, take the four-hour drive from recently legal Detroit (or two hours from recently legal Buffalo, New York) to Toronto, the home of superstars Drake and The Weeknd.

Unlike the U.S. cities listed here, you can consume cannabis in public in Toronto. And bonus for some travelers: The legal age of consumption for both alcohol and cannabis is 19 in Canada, where the plant is federally legal.

Hit up some of the 430 (yes, you read that right) cannabis shops in the city, perhaps starting where it all began: The Hunny Pot Cannabis Co. The city’s first legal dispensary was built at the site of a former strip club in the West Queen West neighborhood and remains a weed hotspot. 

Then check out Canada High Tours. For $50, staff will take you on a “Graffiti Tour & Experience” or “Downtown Mash Up. You’ll meet at urban beach park Sugar Beach, tour the Distillery District’s cobblestoned streets and art galleries, and pass The Esplanade on your way back to the beach. 

The friendly hosts will likely have dinner recommendations for you along the way.

New York City (maybe next year)

Adult-use cannabis is finally truly legal in the Empire State. Still, the process of opening up shops is, frankly, something of a mess. But by 2023, you can expect its namesake city to be a premier cannabis destination. Start thinking about which of NYC’s more than 23,000 bars and restaurants you’ll want to hit up when you have the legal munchies.

Book your flight or fill up your tank, and head out for one last summer adventure before it’s too late. Safe travels!

By Rebecca Victoria Olmos | TheCannifornian.com Correspondent

Napa Valley, California, is a well-known destination for wine enthusiasts. The region’s Mediterranean climate is ideal for producing wine grapes, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon king red grapes.

In 2021 the average age of Cab drinkers hit over 65, according to one report, with younger demographics, like millennials showing less interest in wine purchases. The SF Chronicle reported that sales of Cabernet and wine generally have steadily declined over the last few years.

Entrepreneurs like Eric Sklar, a former winery owner, have shifted focus to a new crop to reel in visitors that also thrives in the region’s climate: Cannabis.

“[Cannabis is] a way for Napa to get young consumers up to Napa. Once we have them here, we can teach them more about the wine and the Napa valley lifestyle, but they don’t seem very interested in a $200 bottle cab right now.” Sklar shared.

Before pivoting into the cannabis industry, Sklar owned and operated a successful chain restaurant, Burrito Brothers. He recently sold his winery, Alpha Omega, and is now Co-Founder and CEO of the cannabis brand Napa Valley Fume.

His skills and experience in business and politics have prepared him for his time as a cannabis business owner and operator. The wine and weed industries have many similarities.

They are both crops that turn into consumer goods. They are consumables for adult use, can inebriate you, are heavily regulated, and have chemical compounds, like terpenes, that affect the flavor.

Fumé Brands has two different brands, the affordable, Lake Grade, and the premium, Fumé. Both come from similar grows but are separated based on their quality value. The practice is a helpful strategy that Skylar took from his previous business experience.

In wine, blends come from different blocks of grapes the vineyard grows. In the blending process, winemakers end up with leftover barrels that don’t make the cut for their expensive labels, so they bottle it up at a lower price pint.

“[In] cannabis, similarly, we don’t do blending the same way, but you may have a couple rows of plants that maybe didn’t get quite the same sunlight. Maybe the soil’s not quite as rich. And so that may not make the cut for Fumé, but is perfectly good, you know. Really good cannabis and goes into our Lake Grade.”

Sklar aims to operate cannabis tasting rooms in Napa, much like wine tasting rooms. A consumption-friendly space where Fumé brands are offered and education would be a focal point. He believes that much like sommeliers are well versed and trained in the art of wine, so are budtenders in the art of cannabis.

“Eventually, I hope that we also have some tasting rooms of our own in the cannabis country. And our staff in those tasting rooms will help teach people, but, you know, we’re always going to depend on budtenders.”

Adult-use cannabis in California only became legal in 2018. There have been many reports that the industry is struggling at various levels, including over taxation, ongoing competition with the illicit market, and lack of representation.

In Napa Valley, cannabis faces a unique set of regional challenges. One was a complaint from winery neighbors about the smell of the plants. To help local officials understand that odor was a minor issue, Sklar set up an experiment where he placed markers at different spots up to 1000 feet away from the cannabis grow.

“I rolled down the windows. I said, can you smell anything unusual? And they couldn’t smell anything again at 500 feet; again at 250 feet, it was only 150 to 175 feet away that you could smell the cannabis.”

Despite this and other complaints from vineyard neighbors, Sklar remains optimistic about the future of cannabis and wine grapes thriving in the region simultaneously.

“I think it’s really an emotional reaction saying we don’t want anybody to invade our territory with any other thing than grapes. And so they’ve been fighting it,” Sklar shared. “I do think it’s just a matter of time cuz the younger generation of winemakers, the Robin Mondavi’s, Justin Hill, Stephanie Honig, young winemakers considerably younger than I am are saying that this is ridiculous. And I think by the time they’re controlling things, cannabis and grape growing will coexist really well.”

Overconsumption, for example, can cause cannabis-induced psychosis, resulting in confusion, paranoia, and hallucinations. This is particularly true for older adults. To avoid consuming too much cannabis, most experts recommend starting with 2.5 mg and working your way up as the standard edible serving size (5 mg) may cause some discomfort (including anxiety and a fast-paced heartbeat). 

With that in mind, here are eight cannabis recipes to get you started (besides brownies).

Wake and Bake Recipes 

Canna Veggie Frittata 

This Canna Veggie Frittata is fluffy, filling, and nutritious. (It’s also super quick and easy to make.) The original recipe calls for spinach, bell peppers, onions, and cannabis oil, but you can add other veggies and meats (e.g. ham, bacon, sausage, etc.) to the mix to make this wholesome recipe your own.  

Cannabis-Infused Red Velvet Pancakes 

In the mood for something a little more decadent? Consider whipping up a batch of cannabis-infused red velvet pancakes. All you need is ½ cup of cannabis-infused butter, buttermilk, one egg, some all-purpose flour, organic cane sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, a splash of red food coloring, baking soda, salt, and powdered sugar. 

Cannabis-Infused Brioche French Toast 

Speaking of decadent, this cannabis-infused brioche french toast recipe (which includes a generous helping of strawberry jam and premium cannabutter) is sinfully delicious yet surprisingly simple to prepare. 

Slow Cooker Cannabis Oatmeal 

Oatmeal has been proven to increase satiety, reduce the risk of heart disease, and lower blood sugar levels. It’s also gluten-free and loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. What’s more? Oatmeal is cheap—it’s the ultimate breakfast staple. Cannabis oatmeal is a versatile recipe. You can make it with flax, raspberry jam, and peanut butter like this Reddit user did, or you can take the easy route and toss all of your ingredients in a slow cooker for a mess-free (and stress-free) meal. 

Recipes for the Midnight Munchies 

Jalapeño Pot Poppers 

The munchies bring on a whole new type of hunger: Suddenly, anything that’s crunchy, cheesy, salty, or creamy sounds irresistibly satisfying. Luckily, these Jalapeño Pot Poppers (infused with canna-cream cheese) check each box. 

Cannabutter Popcorn with Ranch Seasoning 

Cool Ranch Doritos are the snack of choice for many stoners. (Doritos are salty, crunchy, and delicious, after all.) However, there are other Cool Ranch-esque snacks out there. Just take a look at this cannabutter popcorn recipe. It’s got it all—ranch seasoning, salt, and cannabutter. Not into ranch seasoning? Check out one of these seasoned blends: Cheesy Ganja Garlic-Herb, Sativa Siracha, or Sinsemilla Cinnamon. 

Cannabis Hummus 

Hummus is a healthy and versatile snack (pair it with pita, chips, or veggies) packed with vitamins and minerals. It’s also gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free. And, similar to the cannabis-infused oatmeal we mentioned earlier, hummus helps improve your digestive health and maintain blood sugar levels—that’s why we included this cannabis hummus recipe on our list.  

Raspberry-Pear Grilled Cheese Sandwich 

If you’re looking for the best of both worlds (e.g. something sweet and savory), this raspberry-pear grilled cheese recipe should do the trick. To make this gourmet snack, you’ll need four slices of bread, some organic raspberry jam or preserves, one organic pear, four slices of Munster cheese, and a smidgeon of cannabis-infused butter. This recipe serves two and only takes a few minutes to make. 

Cannabis edibles aren’t for everyone. If you’re new to cooking with cannabis, start with something you’re already comfortable making and move on to more complex recipes from there. It’s also essential to properly label and store any leftover edibles in safely, especially if there are children in your home. Now, with that info in mind, cook and get baked!

Adult-use, full spectrum and microdose are just a few newly adopted phrases

By CHRISTINE RICCIARDI | cricciardi@denverpost.com | The Denver Post

In 2014, The Cannabist, a subsidiary of The Denver Post, published a robust glossary of need-to-know marijuana terms like flower and dabbing to help ease local consumers into the newly legal recreational market.

Since then, times have dramatically changed. You can buy edibles not just for getting high, but also for fitness and sleep aid. Cannabis “bars” where tokers can legally consume joints and THC-infused beers are on the precipice of opening. You can even score pre-made cannabutter and infused olive oil to stock your kitchen.

As times have changed, so too has the vernacular. Here are 10 more recently adopted terms you should know.

Adult-use: Synonymous with recreational marijuana; also known as retail marijuana. The term is most commonly used by regulatory agencies and public officials to distinguish recreational from medical marijuana. It emphasizes the fact that only adults age 21 and up can legally purchase cannabis.

Cart: Shorthand for cartridge. Cartridges are filled with marijuana oil concentrate and used when vaporizing the substance.

Cannabigerol (CBG): A minor cannabinoid that’s gaining popularity for use in therapeutic contexts, including to reduce inflammation, pain and nausea. The non-psychoactive compound is most commonly found in cannabis strains that are low in THC and high in CBD, including hemp.

Cannabinol (CBN): A minor cannabinoid with mildly psychoactive effects that often resemble sedation. The cannabinoid is gaining popularity as a sleep aid. It’s also been linked to reducing inflammation, helping regulate the immune system, and acting as an anticonvulsant.

Full spectrum: Refers to marijuana products that maintain a variety of cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, CBG, CBN and more, versus products created with a single, isolated cannabinoid. Full-spectrum products are touted as superior because cannabinoids are more effective when working together, a concept known as the entourage effect.

Hospitality: Refers to a type of business (or business license) that provides a space where patrons can consume cannabis. Marijuana hospitality businesses can sell marijuana products or allow patrons to bring their own. The model was legalized by the state of Colorado in 2019, though local jurisdictions need to opt in to allow these establishments. Denver approved a hospitality program in 2021.

Live rosin: A marijuana concentrate extracted from the plant without the use of a solvent, such as butane or propane. After harvest, the plant is frozen (instead of dried and cured) and then put through a press that applies heat and pressure to extract oil. Proponents of this method say the process maintains the plant’s terpene and flavor profile without the use of chemicals. Conversely, live resin is a marijuana concentrate extracted from frozen plants with the use of a solvent.

Microdose: A noun or verb that refers to consuming less than the standard serving size of THC, which is 10 milligrams. Some edibles are sold in microdoses, such as 5 or 2.5 milligrams. Some consumers microdose marijuana throughout the day by eating a little bit at a time. Also used commonly in the context of psilocybin.

Rapid onset: A term for edibles for which the effects will be felt by the consumer more quickly, sometimes as soon as 5 to 15 minutes after ingesting them.

Solvent-free: A marijuana extraction method that does not use chemicals such as butane or propone. Proponents of this method tout it as a more natural approach to extracting oil from the marijuana plant. Live rosin is an example of a solvent-free concentrate because it’s created using a press that applies heat and pressure to extract oil from the cannabis plant. Edibles can also be manufactured using solvent-free oil.

Sources: Crestco Labs, Leafly