The potential of the cannabis-alcohol infusion market
- KahliBuds.com
- Jun 17, 2019
- 3 min read
Cannabis and hops come from the same taxonomic family. So what happens when we get the green light to commercially mix alcohol and cannabis? What’s that market going to look like?
That’s up to the powers that be.
Cannabis producers and breweries essentially remain in R&D and product development. Molson is joining Quebec-based LP Hexo. Constellation Brands, the corporate conglomerate behind Corona beer and Black Box wine, has invested extensively in Canopy.
Until Justin’s government fires the starting pistol, this mobilization can only go so far.
Cannabis infused drinks are easy to make
Infusing cannabis with a liquid is not hard. You can mix it with milk or anything naturally fatty. You can also refine it into a syrup. Add that syrup to your favourite soft drink and you’re off to the races.
Like any cannabis extraction, canna-drinks require a number of steps. For commercial sellers, it requires the necessary capital to keep pace with demand. One LP has staked ownership rights to a water-soluble cannabinoid technology. [For more information, click here].
Will alcohol and cannabis be allowed to mix?
Cannabis can be fused with alcohol. This can be done easily in your own home, although it requires an open-flame, a well-ventilated area, and about 3-4 hours of your time.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Canadian government advises against this meeting of cannabis and hops (or any alcohol, really).
Now, I should quantify what I mean here. There is non-alcoholic beer with THC as the source of the buzz. That’s the angle most LP-Brewery joint ventures are taking.
Then there is beer made from hemp. With legalization, there is now beer also made from cannabis stalks, stems, and roots. But these don’t get you high, they get you drunk.
Imagine a drink that can get you drunk AND high
I’m talking about actual alcoholic drinks infused with cannabis. Ones that get you high and drunk at the same time. You may ask, why would anyone want to mix those two? And I’ll tell you why — because it’s fucking awesome.
I’ve been smoking for 15 years and I’ve been enjoying whiskey and beer just as long. The merger of THC and alcohol can bring a right balance you can’t experience with either substance separately.
Of course, if you find yourself off-kilter, start drinking water and hold on for the ride. Get a puke bag, you’ll probably need it. Finding the right balance can be tricky at first.
Why the gov’t will (probably) kill your buzz
Speaking of a puke bag — Justin’s Liberals can’t really ban individuals from mixing these two substances. Using official LP weed and a bottle of Jack, I can legally infuse these two substances in my home. (Although I’d prefer cannabis sourced from Canada’s cannabis pioneers, colloquially known as BC Bud).
It’s easier to ban the marketing and selling of these products. Combining cannabis and booze for profit sounds like something the Americans would do. In Canada, the top-down “public health and safety” approach takes precedent.
The government’s approach may effectively kill the infusion market before the market even gets started.
And that’s a real shame.
For cannabis-infused alcohol can help alcoholics wean off the drink. Especially for the long-term addicts where going cold turkey literally kills you.
Therefore, the government’s possible prohibition could cause the unintended consequences of harming alcoholics.
Plus, y’know, “muh liberty and private property rights!”. Or human rights and social justice. However you slice it — it’s a dick move.
The cannabis-alcohol infusion market should be legal.
Featured image courtesy of Randy Pearsall at BIV.
Caleb McMillan, BruceDayne, KahliBuds, 420GrowLife
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