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Tuesday 23 April 2019

Cannabis Beverages

 
'The "cooling and refreshing" cup of bhang taken by the well-to-do, especially in the hot weather, to stimulate their energies and to create an appetite for food is frequently in evidence. Some of the most intelligent and enterprising classes of the community are among those who thus use bhang. This use is generally spoken of without any marked condemnation, and often even with approval; for it is the practice of the respectable classes.'
 
 - Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1895
 
 
'The beverage category continued to shine in the first quarter, leading all categories with sales growing 68.4% over the same period last year and 14.2% versus the fourth quarter of 2020.

Most beverage categories experienced double-digit growth going into 2021.

Iced tea, lemonade, and fruit drinks topped the category with 26.7% growth over the previous quarter and 144.35% versus the same period last year.'
 
 - MJBizDaily
 
 
Would you like to try out a cannabis infused ale where hops and cannabis reunite for a heady fusion? How about a tea to relax you using the legendary anxiolytic, analgesic and relaxing properties of cannabis and traditional tea leaves? Not so much into beer or tea? How about an energy drink infused with cannabis's ant-inflammatory fatigue relieving properties, if you are the sports minded sort and done with all that the synthetics that the sports drink industry currently has to offer? More into naturals? How about a milk shake or fruit juice blended with freshly crushed raw cannabis leaves, like the traditional drinks enjoyed for thousands of years in many cultures?

In India, the traditional cannabis drink, bhang, was consumed by a vast majority of the population across the country, until the end of the 19th century. Bhang was consumed in summer to stay cool. On religious occasions like Holi, Durga Puja and Mahashivarathri, it was common for all members of the family to consume bhang. This practice is still followed in many parts of India, despite the cannabis plant having been prohibited. Of course, there is the legal loophole that says that only the flowering tops of the plant are illegal, but not too many people are aware of this, and this does not stop law enforcement from harassing those growing cannabis plants. Bhang as a drink was an integral part of the Sikh religion though smoking cannabis was generally refrained from. Even today, Varanasi's thandai shops are one of the key attractions of the city and marks its identity. The popularity of the cannabis based beverage in India can be gauged by the different names for it in different parts of India. In Ch.8 Extent Of Use And The Manner And Forms In Which The Hemp Drugs Are Consumed, Vol.1, Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1894-1895, it says that  'It goes by different names in various parts of India. In Bengal it is commonly called bhang or siddhi; in the North-Western Provinces bhang, siddhi, or thandai; in the Punjab, Bombay, and Central Provinces bhang or ghota; and in Sind ghota and panga according to its strength. In Madras the simplest form of preparation seems to be very little used, but when it is, it is probably called bhang or subzi. The Madras preparation called ramras or ramrasam seems to correspond to the dudhia of Upper India'. One of the main reasons for the popularity of the beverage was its cost. When the plant was not prohibited, it grew abundantly every where, so making a drink from it cost nothing.

The versatility of the cannabis plant, with regard to beverages, is evident from the wide variety of recipes that exist for bhang making in India. In Ch.8 Extent Of Use And The Manner And Forms In Which The Hemp Drugs Are Consumed, Vol.1, Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1894-1895, it says that 'As with smoking, so in the case of drinking, there is a common and simple form, and also various compounds more or less elaborate. The simple form is merely to pound the drug very fine with a little black pepper, add water according to the strength of the drink desired, and filter the decoction through a cloth. This beverage is sometimes made with the bhang composed almost entirely of the leaves of the plant, and sometimes, most commonly outside Bengal, the North-Western Provinces, and the Punjab, of the flower heads or mixture of flower and leaves that has come away in the course of the manufacture of ganja'. It further states in another place in the same chapter, 'There is next a class of beverages in which the hemp drug and pepper are supplemented by harmless perfumes and spices, the whole enriched, it may be, with sugar and milk or curds. Every bhang drinker who can afford it adds some or other of these ingredients. The spices most commonly used are anise, fennel, coriander, dill, ajwan (Ptychotis), cucumber and musk-melon seeds, almonds, rose leaves, cloves, saffron, and cardamom. But many others of the same class of innocent ingredients are mentioned, viz., hemp and poppy seeds, mace, mint cummin, endive, parsley, musk, betel-leaves, keori, attar, cinnamon, lotus seeds the seed of hollyhock, the kernels of pistachio and charoli (Buchanania latifolia), asafoetida, liquorice, cubebs, chillies, and senna leaves. The juices of fruits and trees are also employed in the concoction, such as that of the pomegranate, grape, mango, bael, cocoanuts, and date (not toddy)' .

There is definitely a sense of threat across alcohol and beverage manufacturing companies with the increasing presence of cannabis based beverages in the market. Many powerful lobbies that feel insecure about cannabis based beverages are continuing to exert pressure on lawmakers and regulators, such as the US FDA, to slow down its entry into the market. A report in the US recently said that cannabis based beverages are likely to out perform sugar based soda drinks within the next decade. Various reports have also emerged showing that cannabis based beverages are likely to find a significant market, significant enough for soft drink, sports drink, beer and wine industries to sit up and take notice.
 
While some alcohol and beverage companies view cannabis based beverages as a threat, others view it as an opportunity. A cannabis based beverage can be in the form of juices or health drinks, infused with cannabis plant parts or cannabis extracts, as well as beers and wines infused with cannabis, alongside the traditional alcohol content. It can be added to milk-based products as it is soluble in oils and fats. Research is refining the right balance of cannabis and the other ingredients that will go together in producing the ideal effect on the consumer. Large soft drinks companies, alcohol companies, tea and health drink companies are already coming out with products that target the recreational as well as the health user. Regulatory curbs and bodies like the FDA still dictate the changes in the beverage industry vis a vis cannabis but if the moves of the major players in the beverage industry are any indication, we are in for exciting times for the consumer through the new, or should we say renewed historic, romance of cannabis and beverages.

Related articles

The following set of articles related to the subject are taken from various media. Words in italics are the thoughts of yours truly at the time of reading the article. 
 
 
 
'On Wednesday, October 6, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 45 (AB-45) that "prohibit[s] restrictions on the sale of dietary supplements, food, beverages, cosmetics, or pet food that include industrial hemp or cannabinoids, extracts, or derivatives from industrial hemp based solely on the inclusion of those substances." AB-45 is highly significant amongst the cannabis regulatory landscape because it constitutes a departure from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) guidance that CBD cannot be introduced to food products or dietary supplements sold in interstate commerce.'

https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/cannabis-hemp/1125042/california-splits-from-the-fda-cbd-now-permitted-in-food-beverages-and-more

 
'The universe of cannabis beverages is already large and seems to grow by the day: seltzers, wines, beers, teas, colas, cocktails. Many of the world’s biggest beer companies — Anheuser-Busch InBev, Pabst Brewing Company, Constellation Brands — have invested in cannabis drinks. Craft brewers like Lagunitas Brewing Company in California and Atlanta-based SweetWater Brewing Company are also getting into the business.

And there are some promising signs for the industry.

Most marijuana drinks have negligible calories, and the products pose little risk of a hangover. Cannabis beverage sales in the U.S. are expected to hit $421 million this year — more than double 2019 figures, according to Brightfield Group, which tracks the industry, and double again to nearly $1 billion by 2025. Yet the beverage sector is less than 2 percent of the larger $20 billion legal weed marketplace.'

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/01/thc-cannabis-beverages-501951


'The maker of Samuel Adams beer and Truly Hard seltzer is moving into Canada's cannabis beverages market.

The Boston Beer Co. says it will create a subsidiary to serve as a Canadian research and innovation hub for non-alcoholic cannabis beverages.'

https://www.tricitynews.com/the-mix/samuel-adams-maker-to-launch-cannabis-beverages-subsidiary-in-canada-3785734


'Rockstar Energy, a drink brand owned by PepsiCo, has launched a line of hemp-infused drinks in Germany.

Just-Drinks reports that Rockstar Energy + Hemp was released Saturday in three flavors. The drinks contain hempseed extract, caffeine and taurine.

PepsiCo tells the publication that the drinks have an “intense” hemp flavor. The drinks will be sold only in Germany.'

https://hempindustrydaily.com/report-pepsico-launches-hemp-beverage-in-germany/


'The beverage category continued to shine in the first quarter, leading all categories with sales growing 68.4% over the same period last year and 14.2% versus the fourth quarter of 2020.

Most beverage categories experienced double-digit growth going into 2021.

Iced tea, lemonade, and fruit drinks topped the category with 26.7% growth over the previous quarter and 144.35% versus the same period last year.'

https://mjbizdaily.com/sales-of-marijuana-products-continue-to-grow-in-first-quarter-2021/


'In recent years, a number of major food and beverage companies – including Unilever’s Ben & Jerry’s, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Hershey Co., and General Mills – have expressed interest in working with CBD, but still have not yet stepped into the fold.

However, some major food and beverage players are starting to get into the cannabis market in some shape or form. Here is a look at what six of these prominent firms are doing in the space right now:'

https://www.powderbulksolids.com/food-beverage/6-major-food-bev-players-enter-cannabis-market


'The growth of the CBD market in Europe is attributed to the increasing acceptance of CBD-infused goods in industries such as pharmaceuticals, personal care, cosmetics, nutraceuticals and medical applications… The demand for CBD in Europe continues to grow rapidly as consumers embrace this cannabinoid for medical and general wellness, creating opportunities for large food and beverage brands and health and beauty brands… In Europe, CBD is seeing monumental demand. In Europe alone, according to the Brightfield Company, the business is expected to rise by 400 per cent over the next four years.'

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-cbd-industry-projected-to-accelerate-to-23-6-billion-over-the-next-five-years-301179412.html


'The lineup of five drink brands unveiled Tuesday includes both CBD and THC products.

Most contain 2.5 milligrams to 5 milligrams of THC, characterized as a “medium dose.”

The “XMG” beverage brand contains 10 milligrams of THC, the maximum allowed under Canadian cannabis regulations.'

https://mjbizdaily.com/hexo-molson-coors-launch-truss-cannabis-beverage-portfolio/


'“We’re not going to be the first one in, but we’re going to study and learn once the [hard seltzer] category develops. We’ll play it sometime down the road,” CEO David Burwick said on “Power Lunch.”'
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/30/boston-beer-ceo-were-looking-at-cannabis-after-hard-seltzer-success.html


'A study on the impact of cannabis legalization on alcohol sales in Colorado, Oregon and Washington, the three states with the longest history of legal nonmedical use of cannabis, showed that there was no evidence that legalization had had any impact on the sale of spirits or on total alcohol sales, which are generally considered a good proxy for alcohol consumption in the United States. The study showed that the per capita sale of spirits had increased by 3.6 per cent in Oregon, 5.4 per cent in Washington and 7.6 per cent in Colorado in 2018, after the measures allowing the non-medical use of cannabis were implemented in those states. Consistent with national trends, per capita sales of beer had declined by 3.6 per cent in Colorado, 2.3 per cent in Washington and 3.6 per cent in Oregon. The sale of wine increased by 0.7 per cent in Oregon, declined by 3.1 per cent in Washington and increased by 3.2 per cent in Colorado. Overall, per capita sales of alcoholic beverages were fairly stable, as they increased by 1.7 per cent in Colorado, declined by 0.2 per cent in Washington and declined by 0.5 per cent in Oregon' - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, World Drug Report 2020, https://wdr.unodc.org/wdr2020/field/WDR20_BOOKLET_4.pdf


'Although the Cannabis Act introduced a variety of classes of cannabis licences, including for smaller producers, the federal Government requires that a potential supplier have a production facility in place, meaning that the supplier will have already made a substantial investment prior to applying for a licence. Some have speculated that this has contributed to deterring small entrepreneurs from applying for licences and may have favoured the emergence of a market dominated or even monopolized by a relatively small number of large, multi-billion-dollar businesses. There have also been reports of the alcohol, tobacco and finance industries investing in companies involved in nonmedical cannabis production. For instance, according to media sources, in October 2017 Constellation Brands, a major international producer of wine, beer and spirits, invested $4 billion to acquire a 9.9 per cent stake in Canopy Growth, the leading Canadian producer, to develop cannabis-based beverages. By the end of December 2019, Constellation owned a 35 per cent stake in Canopy. In December 2018, the tobacco company Altria made a $1.8 million investment in Cronos Group, a cannabis production company, giving Altria a 45 per cent interest in Cronos. Earlier in the year, Molson Coors Brewing, another multinational alcohol company, signed a joint venture with Quebec-based HEXO to develop and market cannabis-infused beverages. Market analysts have predicted that the alcohol industry will also invest in companies that plan to produce beverages that combine cannabis and beer and, in particular, they predicted that by the end of 2019 two of the largest cannabis companies in the world would be owned by two of the largest alcohol and tobacco companies' - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, World Drug Report 2020, https://wdr.unodc.org/wdr2020/field/WDR20_BOOKLET_4.pdf


'"With hundreds of new companies rushing into the CBD space, many in the industry are looking beyond CBD towards other minor cannabinoids," New Frontier reports. "For farmers feeling the effects of CBD oversupply, minor cannabinoids can offer higher prices and less regulatory oversight."

 Both the New Frontier report and several members of the hemp industry with whom we've spoken see CBN (cannabinol) and CBG (cannabigerol) as the next big thing in the hemp and cannabis industries. Despite not being as popular or studied as CBD (which is new to clinical research itself), both CBN and CBG have shown potential in wellness areas such as fighting inflammation, pain, nausea and potentially even certain cancer cells.'
https://www.westword.com/marijuana/as-cbd-prices-drop-will-cbn-and-other-cannabinoids-become-more-alluring-to-hemp-farmers-11746876


'“We’re not going to be the first one in, but we’re going to study and learn once the [hard seltzer] category develops. We’ll play it sometime down the road,” CEO David Burwick said on “Power Lunch.”'
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/30/boston-beer-ceo-were-looking-at-cannabis-after-hard-seltzer-success.html

 
' Bhang is not used regularly like charas and ganja. There is reason to think that a large number of the better class of Hindus take it in extremely hot weather, and that it is a regular refreshment with a very large proportion of them in the summer. There are no statistics of consumption; the drug can often be had for almost nothing from the abundant wild growth, and is always very cheap'

Ch.8 Extent Of Use And The Manner And Forms In Which The Hemp Drugs Are Consumed, Vol.1, Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1894-1895, https://digital.nls.uk/74464868


'Much like its name, Recess is all about taking a break during one’s day to reset and rebalance with CBD, to “help us adapt to stress, and focus,” says Witte via email. “It’s what we wish that 2 p.m. coffee would do for us.”'
https://www.fastcompany.com/90258035/the-la-croix-of-cannabis-the-marijuana-market-bets-on-beverages


'“In a short number of years, you will see the global cannabis sector grow to be larger than the global brewing sector,” Battley says. “We know it will be in the billions. We don’t know how many billions.”'
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-13/as-pot-legalization-picks-up-steam-get-ready-for-cannabrews


'The cannabis beverage industry is emerging as a global phenomenon and will reach hundreds of millions of customers. It is vital that the industry invests in the science and technology to make cannabis beverages not only enjoyable for consumers but — more importantly — safe.'
https://www.newcannabisventures.com/3-key-challenges-cannabis-beverage-manufacturers-must-overcome/


'Many in the industry believe that the key to mainstream acceptance is creating a “sessionable” beverage, where one can have two or three drinks over a few hours, perhaps with friends drinking alcohol, while enjoying a steady, moderate high.

“We think onset time is going to be one of the critical factors in the next stage of cannabis-infused beverages, and the investments being made by consumer-packaged goods companies and by big alcohol are going to dramatically move that needle,” says John Kagia, chief knowledge officer at New Frontier Data, a Washington-based cannabis research firm.'
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-06/scientists-are-racing-to-make-pot-like-booze-so-you-can-drink-it


'The habit of drinking bhang is more prevalent in the corps serving in the north-western part of India, but it cannot be said that smoking is more common in one part than another. Charas is preferred in the comparatively small tract where it is cheap and easily procurable, and ganja is used elsewhere. Smoking is regarded as a protection against cold, and bhang drinking as a relief under the distress of very hot weather. The habit, therefore, varies according as regiments experience different conditions of climate, and it would seem that on service the number of smokers increases. The preparation of the drink, however, takes time, and requires certain ingredients which on service may not be obtainable. It is doubtful, therefore, if bhang drinking increases on service as smoking does, but the practice of chewing or eating the drug in a simpler form may very well take its place.'

Ch.8 Extent Of Use And The Manner And Forms In Which The Hemp Drugs Are Consumed, Vol.1, Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1894-1895, https://digital.nls.uk/74464868
 

'The CEO of a beverage company recently acquired by PepsiCo is placing his bet on marijuana, joining the board of directors of and making a significant personal investment in an agriculture business working in cannabis production.

Daniel Birnbaum, CEO of at-home carbonated drink maker SodaStream – which PepsiCo acquired last year for $3.2 billion – will join the board of Israeli company Seedo.'
https://mjbizdaily.com/sodastream-ceo-invests-in-joins-board-of-cannabis-tech-firm-seedo/


'“We believe it’s a game changer that could be the next IPA, maybe even a new category,” he says about New Belgium’s new release, The Hemperor HPA. The beer is brewed with hemp hearts — the meat of the seed, minus the shell — and dry-hopped with Simcoe and experimental HBC 522 hops to create a dank, pungent hop aroma balanced by a sweet, mildly herbal finish. The Hemperor HPA does not contain THC or CBD, but it’s currently banned in Kansas'
https://www.craftbeer.com/craft-beer-muses/hemp-ales-grow-in-popularity-as-brewers-aim-for-new-flavors-and-awareness


'The Molson Canadian business unit, Molson Coors Canada, has agreed to form the partnership with Hydropothecary, a pot producer in the nation. The joint venture will "pursue opportunities to develop nonalcoholic, cannabis-infused beverages for the Canadian market following legalization."'
https://www.investors.com/news/marijuana-stocks-molson-coors-marijuana-drinks-canada-earnings/


'Diageo Plc is pursuing a deal with a Canadian cannabis firm, holding serious discussions with at least three major producers as the world’s biggest alcohol company seeks to add marijuana-infused beverages to bolster flat volume growth in its portfolio of global brands, multiple sources familiar with the matter have told BNN Bloomberg.'
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/u-k-alcohol-giant-diageo-circling-canada-for-cannabis-deals-1.1128030


'Until the past few years, you had a select few methods of consuming cannabis: inhalation or brain-numbing brownies. You also had basically two options of outcome: either barely high or shot into the next solar system. Not only can you customize your high with an extra sip or a few more drops of cannabis-infused beverages, but you can enjoy something that actually tastes good while getting high. Cheers.'
https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurenterry/2018/08/29/a-look-at-the-limitless-possibilities-of-drinkable-cannabis/


'The cannabis industry is forecast to hit $75 billion in sales by 2030, reported Bloomberg, citing a research note from financial strategy firm Cowen & Co. Trade publication Beverage Digest said total U.S. soda sales were $80.2 billion in 2016, reported Reuters, but the outlook for the soft drinks industry is weak.'
http://www.newsweek.com/will-pot-be-more-popular-soda-it-may-happen-pretty-soon-874484


'"With the backing of two partners with deep Canadian roots, proven success, and market-leading experience in the respective beverage and cannabis industries in Canada, Truss will hit the ground running," said Brett Vye, Chief Executive Officer at Truss. "When consumable cannabis is legalized in Canada, Truss will be ready to make its mark as a responsible leader in providing high-quality beverages for the Canadian consumer. Why "Truss"? We are joining together the extensive experience and excellent practices of each partner to build a powerful foundation for the future."'
https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/molson-coors-canada-and-hexo-launch-truss-695202311.html


'As with smoking, so in the case of drinking, there is a common and simple form, and also various compounds more or less elaborate. The simple form is merely to pound the drug very fine with a little black pepper, add water according to the strength of the drink desired, and filter the decoction through a cloth. This beverage is sometimes made with the bhang composed almost entirely of the leaves of the plant, and sometimes, most commonly outside Bengal, the North-Western Provinces, and the Punjab, of the flower heads or mixture of flower and leaves that has come away in the course of the manufacture of ganja. It goes by different names in various parts of India. In Bengal it is commonly called bhang or siddhi; in the North-Western Provinces bhang, siddhi, or thandai; in the Punjab, Bombay, and Central Provinces bhang or ghota; and in Sind ghota and panga according to its strength. In Madras the simplest form of preparation seems to be very little used, but when it is, it is probably called bhang or subzi. The Madras preparation called ramras or ramrasam seems to correspond to the dudhia of Upper India'

Ch.8 Extent Of Use And The Manner And Forms In Which The Hemp Drugs Are Consumed, Vol.1, Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1894-1895, https://digital.nls.uk/74464868


'There is next a class of beverages in which the hemp drug and pepper are supplemented by harmless perfumes and spices, the whole enriched, it may be, with sugar and milk or curds. Every bhang drinker who can afford it adds some or other of these ingredients. The spices most commonly used are anise, fennel, coriander, dill, ajwan (Ptychotis), cucumber and musk-melon seeds, almonds, rose leaves, cloves, saffron, and cardamom. But many others of the same class of innocent ingredients are mentioned, viz., hemp and poppy seeds, mace, mint cummin, endive, parsley, musk, betel-leaves, keori, attar, cinnamon, lotus seeds the seed of hollyhock, the kernels of pistachio and charoli (Buchanania latifolia), asafoetida, liquorice, cubebs, chillies, and senna leaves. The juices of fruits and trees are also employed in the concoction, such as that of the pomegranate, grape, mango, bael, cocoanuts, and date (not toddy)' Ch.8 Extent Of Use And The Manner And Forms In Which The Hemp Drugs Are Consumed, Vol.1, Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission, 1894-1895, https://digital.nls.uk/74464868  
 

'However, on Tuesday, the snack-and-beverage giant shot down the rumors during a call with investors. Hugh Johnson, PepsiCo's CFO, said in response to a question on cannabis-infused products that the company looks at everything, but has no plans at this point to enter into the market, due in part to regulatory issues.'
https://www.businessinsider.in/Pepsi-shoots-down-rumors-that-it-is-considering-cannabis-following-a-report-that-Coca-Cola-is-eyeing-CBD-infused-beverages/articleshow/66042873.cms


'And so while exact plans and product lines have yet to be announced, Molson Coors marijuana drinks will likely include “a range of beverages,” including “teas,” “seltzers,” and non-alcoholic “beer” that includes “cannabis compounds,” Hunter said.'
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/molson-coors-plans-to-sell-marijuana-infused-teas-seltzers-and-beer/


'Unlike other deals between alcohol makers and cannabis producers aimed at making drinks that will give consumers a “buzz” similar to inhaling marijuana, Coca-Cola and Aurora would likely develop beverages that will ease inflammation, pain and cramping.'
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/coca-cola-in-talks-with-aurora-to-develop-cannabis-drinks-sources-1.1138528


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