There have been a number of profound improvements in how users of marijuana actually take their medicine or enjoy this drug.  Rolling papers, pipes, and bongs are still the mostly widely used tools, however edibles, or “medibles”, and cannabis infused drinks are becoming more common.  For the purpose of this brief article, I will focus on the recent inclusion of drinks into the realm of everyday marijuana use.

At first you are probably thinking, a drink made with marijuana does not sound as if it would taste that great.  True, some drinks taste like shit, while others require to be mixed with sodas or juices to be tolerable.  However, some new companies are creating drinks that are quickly becoming popular because of their taste.  And if you think about it, I thought at first brownies and rice krispie treats made with cannabutter would taste awful, and in fact they were pretty tasty.  The same can be said about these new drinks entering the market.

The newest drinks entering the markets are canna colas or canna sodas.  A few companies in the US have begun producing soda infused with cannabis to be sold at medical dispensaries.  The potency of each soda varies.  On average they contain roughly 30-65 mg of thc per soda.  A joint typically contains anywhere from 10 to 150 mg of THC.  The only issue with soda is that you are mixing caffeine, sugars, and water to mask the fact that you are drinking something that can impair your ability to function at work or behind the wheel.  Or, for some, this can help you throughout your daily routine.  Sodas being made with cannabis are already drawing harsh criticisms and being compared with the alcohol drink Four Loko.  Yet those who consume these sodas for medicinal purposes are thoroughly enjoying these new concoctions while avoiding inhaling the carcinogens that are often associated with smoking marijuana. 

Before dispensaries started releasing sodas and tinctures for drinks, the most popular version of a marijuana drink was “Green Dragon”.  This is made using cannabis and potent (clear) alcohol.  Think Everclear or 100+ proof vodka or gin, not rubbing alcohol (you’ll go blind).  There are hundreds of recipes as to how to make Green Dragon.  The majority of recipes recommend microwaving your marijuana for 3x20 seconds or up to two minutes.  This releases the THC before adding to your alcohol.  You must be careful to not over do this.  After the process of releasing the THC, there are a number of ways to complete the drink.  Some are as easy adding your pot to the alcohol, shaking, and continuing this process for 10-20 days.  After this you simply strain the alcohol and it is ready for consumption.  Other recipes call for beakers, simmering, steaming, or boiling with careful precision.  It is best to experiment and see what works for you.

Of course, after you have created your blend, finding the perfect mixture whether it is soda, juice, or coffee is all part of the enjoyment of creating your own cannabooze.  It will be interesting to see what you have tried and what has worked for you.  Please share…