We\u2019re still a long way off from seeing cannabis drinks catch up to other ways of getting stoned but a pot shop\u2019s smoke friendly patio in Penticton is seeing more people drinking cannabis drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mariana Wolff owns Cannabis Cottage in Penticton which has one of the few patios people can smoke on, and she said local companies have made strides on improving cannabis beverages in the past few years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cResearch and development has expanded tremendously for all categories and beverages are not excluded from that,\u201d she said. \u201cThe drinks have improved flavour wise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chewy edibles like gummies are the most popular edibles in B.C. and infused drinks are in second place, according to the latest BC Liquor Distribution Branch quarterly report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said that there are products now that are using more than just THC and CBD, and including ingredients that have the other components that contribute to a high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPotency-wise now they are making beverages not just with THC or CBD distillate, but using full spectrum inputs, like rosin, for example. So you get a little bit more of that robust high with those inputs,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alannah Davis is the CEO of Dabble Cannabis which makes live rosin and works with SMYLE Brands to emulsify the rosin to turn into infused drinks. They launched their Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cProfessional development on like formulations and stuff like that has come a long way because some of the early drinks I tried kind of tasted a little like bong water. Our drinks are certainly not that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dabble also produces gummies, but Davis said both products reach a different consumer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think that people who are consuming drinks are doing so socially and gummies aren’t always like that use case,\u201d Davis said. \u201cThe drink consumer is the one that is replacing (alcohol) for social occasions, like at a barbecue or a party.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aside from Cannabis Cottage there aren\u2019t many public spaces for people to legally consume cannabis and she said that won\u2019t change until there\u2019s more public pressure to loosen up regulations to allow for infused drinks in more spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf consumers want to have that, then they need to be telling their elected officials,\u201d Davis said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n