Before You Drink Your Greens

Cannabis consumption is nothing new; human utilization of the plant’s fibres and flowers transcends cultures and millenniums and dates back as far back as 2900 BCE.

Despite the plant’s history alongside humankind, cannabis is now entering its third year of legality in Canada. As the legal market has sown the seed, the recreational market has blossomed. Better branding, innovation, experimentation and further social acceptance showcase the fruits of the cannabis plant’s labour.

Walk into any cannabis shop and you’ll find yourself surrounded by purposely minimalist shelves of flower, pre- rolls, vapes, edibles, oils and the latest product to hit the market: beverages. Tasting notes and informative specs on each product let you know what to expect, not just in terms of flavour, but experience.

Unlike alcohol, where it’s safe to assume the equivalency of one beer to an ounce of spirit or a glass of wine, cannabis contains multitudes. The two big discerning categories to look out for are CBD and THC. CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the active compounds found in cannabis. THC is the compound that gets you high, CBD is not psychoactive and best known to help in reducing anxiety or joint pain

Looking further into THC, the plant strain from which it comes can help determine the effects and type of high: sativa plants are better known for their energizing effects, reducing stress and anxiety while increasing creativity and focus — more of a “head” high. Indicas are associated with more corporal effects: relaxation and aiding in reducing insomnia.

The regulated manner in which the cannabis industry works in Ontario has its pros and cons: for the most part, the regulations ensure consumers know exactly what they’re getting into in terms of expected results. However, customers can only purchase 30 grams of cannabis at a time, which is a lot if purchasing flower, but due to a system that doesn’t take into account the manner in which it is consumed, limits you to only five cans of cannabis beverages. Simultaneously, that 30-gram limit allows you to buy 100 cannabis oil sprays or 17 vape cartridges, far more total THC than five drinks worth. And it’s still far more regulated than the no-limits approach to selling alcohol.

Though still in early days of writing and re-writing legislation, this will ideally right itself. As we’ve seen already over the last three years — especially in the explosion of use during the pandemic — the initial kinks of the overburdened online system seem to have worked themselves out. “You’d be surprised at how often they change certain laws and rules,” says Nader Salib, owner of Plateau cannabis shops. “I get an email daily about a new rule that’s implemented, and the next day I’ll have another email saying that they take it back.

Trying to build on the framework of liquor laws makes sense, but cannabis regulation and legalization is still very much in flux and it appears as though the government wants to ensure appropriate rollouts. It’s a lot easier to loosen the grip over time rather than trying to regain control after giving too much up. “They’re realizing that certain things don’t make sense or there’s a better way of doing them. They have no problem with making switches.”

Products appear to be fresher with better turnaround. Though the heavily child-proofed packaging makes for wasteful single- use trash, shops such as Plateau offer a rewards program for returning empty containers.

As smoking cannabis isn’t for everyone, edibles offer a way to enjoy the plant’s medical properties without risking respiratory health. Dosed gummies and chocolates come with a suggested serving size, while the high usually occurs in less than half an hour in a very mellow fashion. The key is always to start low and slow when trying new substances, as you don’t want to rush and ruin an experience by overdoing it.

Salib has been a cannabis user for some time, but was apprehensive about beverages at first; “I don’t do edibles because they don't sit well with me. I was skeptical with beverages at the start.” Friends, customers and family speaking of their benefits changed his tune. “It's a lot more mellow than I expected.”

He says that beverages are the ideal starting point for someone curious and starting out: the easy-to-understand single serving suggests a manageable experience, while trained and enthusiastic staff will help cater your experience, much like a sommelier guiding you towards the perfect bottle.

“Dosing is a lot more controlled than flower and is really appealing, especially to new users. People who drink beverages the most are new users, not really experienced smokers or cannabis users,” explains Salib.

Somewhere near the crossroads of hard seltzers and those who prefer non-alcoholic social drinking are cannabis beverages. The rise of cold, spritzy alcoholic drinks coincides ironically with the normalization of ordering and enjoying non-alcoholic cocktails. Cannabis beverages are somewhere in the overlap of both circles of that venn diagram.

There is a social element to having a drink in hand and enjoying it over conversation — something that eating an edible can’t really offer either. Eschewing alcohol in favour of cannabis becomes easier with a beverage; smoking isn’t always a socially accepted, nor is having (dosed) edibles that you're not willing to share. Cannabis drinks allow for a convenient and manageable manner to enjoy the plant’s effects in more casual social gatherings with ease.

Beyond the differences in THC and CBD dosages, drinks come in a bevy of styles: fruity punch-like sparkling drinks, non-alcoholic ale-adjacent malt drinks, seltzers and herbal tonics that highlight the cannabis’ terpenes — the plant’s aromatic compounds. As cannabis is a relative to beer’s hops, these aromatic compounds follow similar profiles: herbal, citrusy and tropical fruit- forward.

Smith Falls Tweed’s line of cannabis beverages highlight the flower used in the same way a craft beer would highlight the hops used. Its Houndstooth & Soda focuses the flavour profile on Houndstooth’s citrusy terpenes for a clean and refreshing G&T-like sipper, while the Bakerstreet & Ginger highlights the spiciness of the Bakerstreet alongside ginger. Neither of these come across as too sweet, but rather perfectly balanced and intriguing, especially if hop profiles or gin botanicals typically entice you. They also produce a sativa indica blend iced tea ideal for warm days.

While these cannabis beverages are becoming more popular and regulated, it’s important to note that making your own infusions at home or cannabis cocktails can be incredibly versatile in their effects. The strict regulation attempts to ensure specific THC and CBD levels and a consistent product from batch to batch. Cocktailing with cannabis infusions can yield much headier results and can be far more intoxicating than either counterpart on their own; there are too many variables at play to ensure a good or safe time, especially in a bar setting.

Tweed spends hours upon hours of R&D ensuring its drinks are consistent and potent, yet still manageable. Home infusions, though simple and legal, yield something more than the sum of their parts. Treat them with respect, and most important, take it slow and drink lots of water.

Cannabis is considered by many to be a less harmful substance than alcohol, but a substance nonetheless. While growers and producers are better at learning ways to promote healthy cannabis use (vaping and edibles rather than smoking, for example), it’s integral to keep in mind cannabis’ effects and how to operate while intoxicated. The simplest method: Treat it like booze.

It’s also important to note that cannabis has had long-standing relations to our cultures and history. To disregard it as “just a drug” would detract from the centuries of exploration into art, music, poetry and beyond.

For more information on cannabis regulations, research, health effects and risks and personal and medicinal use, visit www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis.html

Illustration by Chelle Lorenzen