Enjoy a Buzz Without the Booze This St. Patrick’s Day

Break out the Lucky Charms, salute your shamrock and sing classic folk songs about the “aul country” while wiping away a tear—St. Patrick’s Day is here. If you’re not au fait with the meaning behind the March 17 holiday, here’s a quick Cliff’s Notes version. The day commemorates the famed patron Saint of Ireland, Patrick, who notably brought Christianity to Ireland and, according to legend, drove the snakes out of Ireland.

Even if you’re not from the Emerald Isle by birthright, you can still embrace the Irish spirit and celebrate all things Irish, which basically means drinking Guinness, green beer, or whiskey shooters. But if your vibe is more Emerald Triangle than Emerald Isle, you might want to skip the booze and try a cannabis-infused beverage instead.

The cannabis-infused beverages category is surging: according to Brightfield Group, the THC-infused beverages market will account for $1 billion in US sales by 2025. It’s easy to see why the relatively nascent vertical is experiencing such growth. Infused drinks offer a delicious replacement for alcohol and the associated adverse effects while still having access to the same social experience as popping a few cold ones—without the concern of over-consuming. They bridge the gap between the expected and the unexpected, offering precise doses to give consistent, predictable effects instead of surprise drunkenness. The best part? No hangover.

Whatever your tipple taste preference, be it flavored seltzers, mocktails, or tonics, why not swap for the sauce for these five deliciously effective, effervescent and better-for-you beverages this St Paddy’s Day.

Photo courtesy of Pure Beauty

Pure Beauty: Little Strong Drink

First up, it’s a beverage that really packs a punch. Little in name only, the Little Strong Drink is made from live resin and squeezes 100mg of THC into only 2oz. The preserved terpene profile of the extracts and Concord grapes grown in the Yakima Valley make this deliciously aromatic drink perfect for sipping straight or mixing into other beverages like soda or mocktails. Other ingredients of note include sustainably grown Ashwagandha root, which helps to relieve stress and strengthen adrenal wellness. It’s also free from nasty artificial colors, flavors, preservatives and added sweeteners.

Cannabis-infused beverages
Photo courtesy of Cann Social Tonics

Cann Social Tonics

With a slew of celebrity fans, including Kate Hudson, Rosario Dawson and Gwyneth Paltrow, Cann social tonics offer the perfect dose to get you in the mood for fun, without altering your mind. Cann has relaunched its delicious Ginger Lemongrass seasonal flavor just in time for St Patrick’s Day. With a microdose of 2mg of THC and 4mg of CBD to give you a relaxed-yet-sociable buzz plus only 35 calories, Cann’s lightly carbonated beverages are also available in Cranberry Sage, Lemon Lavender, Grapefruit Rosemary, and Blood Orange Cardamom flavors and are made with all-natural ingredients.

Flora Hemp Spirits
Photo courtesy of Flora Hemp Spirits

Flora Hemp Spirits

The phrase “drink to good health” takes on a new meaning with Flora Hemp Spirits, the world’s first alcohol-free, cannabinoid-based spirits made using all-natural ingredients while containing zero sugar and zero calories. This innovative range provides a delicious alternative to booze while letting you unwind with a mild buzz. Perfect for the “sober curious,” Flora Spirits are available in three options: Essence (CBD), delta-8, and pre-mixed Passion Fruit “Margarita,” which contains 5MG of delta-8 THC and 10MG of CBD in each can. Simply swap out gin or vodka with Flora’s Essence or delta-8 spirits to create delicious mocktails. 

Cannabis-infused beverages
Photo courtesy of ReCreate

ReCreate

Brought to you by the Stanley Brothers, the Colorado-based family known for their game-changing Charlotte’s Web CBD oil, ReCreate beverages are among the most advanced highs you can buy. The fast-acting formulations include full-spectrum extracts and efficacious botanical adaptogens like Yerba Mate to help uplift your energy levels. There are three flavor options available as a 2.5 mg CBD/2.5 mg THC microdose formula: Blueberry Mint Acai, Cucumber Mint, and Mango Hibiscus. For those wanting a heavier-hitting dose, Cucumber Mint and Mango Hibiscus are available in an extra-strength 10 mg CBD/10 mg THC option that will uplift you in a delicious, refreshing way.

Cannabis-infused beverages
Photo courtesy of Psychedelic Water

Psychedelic Water

Combining a stimulating buzz with a soothing calm to sharpen focus while reducing anxiety, Psychedelic Water is truly perfect for people engaged in creative or stressful work where energy and a positive mentality are essential. The non-alcoholic psychedelic beverage is made from kava, damiana leaf extract and green tea leaf extract, a trio of ingredients chosen to replicate the euphoria-inducing effects of psychedelics without the hallucinations. Available in for Blackberry + Yuzu, Hibiscus + Lime, Oolong + Orange Blossom and Prickly Pear, Psychedelic Water produces a clean and healthy buzz that’s Kosher, non-alcoholic, free of added sugars and low in calories.

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ReCreate Nanotech Drink Additives Amplify Beverages

As cannabis consumption becomes more socially acceptable and legally available, an ever-increasing number of people are looking for ways to incorporate cannabis products into their life. Cannaseurs and the canna-curious alike are searching for products that are designed to provide safe, consistent and repeatable results that can be readily included in their wellness regimens. Concurrently, advances in cannabinoid delivery technology are expanding the product options available to that rising consumer base. One such range of products is the new line of nanotech drink additives by ReCreate, a brand built by cannabinoid therapy pioneers, the Stanley Brothers. 

Using proprietary rapid nanotech formulations, ReCreate combines full-spectrum extract with the latest technology for one of the most tailored and advanced experiences on the market.

What is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is the hottest trend in cannabis consumption methods. According to Research and Markets, the worldwide nanotechnology market has the potential to reach $125 billion by 2024. The rise of nanotechnology in the cannabis sector will account for a portion of that figure. 

Known and applied in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, nanotechnology has recently been embraced by the cannabis industry because it addresses two issues faced by the infused edibles and beverages market: bioavailability and water solubility.

THC, CBD and other cannabinoids are lipophilic compounds, which means they are not water-soluble in their native form. When you consider that our bodies are up to 60% water, this can be a problem, making it harder to gain the maximum benefit from these types of molecules.

Additionally, cannabinoids are hydrophobic by nature, meaning they don’t absorb well in the human body. To avoid these problems, nanoemulsion decreases the particle size, enhancing absorption and water solubility. Nanoemulsions are emulsions that are nanoscale in size and are used to improve the delivery of active medicinal substances. The resulting nano-cannabinoids are water-soluble and may be easily incorporated into beverages at almost any concentration.

The Benefits of Nanotechnology

  1. Fast Acting: Drinking beverages infused with nano-cannabinoids is simple and constant, meaning you will get the same effect on two different days. Similar to alcohol, the result is felt rapidly, starting in about 10 minutes, peaking around 30 minutes and usually lasting a couple of hours before it wears off. You will also feel the benefits quickly, which can help avoid the pitfalls of overconsumption.
  2. Increased Bioavailability: Nano-cannabinoids have a very high bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy and are absorbed quickly and fully by the body. Bioavailability refers to how much of the ingested THC or CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream and ,therefore, how much of an effect it has on the user. A variety of factors can influence this, depending on the consumption method. Smoking cannabis, eating an edible or drinking a nanoemulsion-based beverage, for example, will all deliver different effects. ReCreate’s nanotech drink additives provide one of the fastest absorption methods. If you live an active lifestyle, your body may need to recover quickly post-workout. Increased cannabinoid bioavailability may aid in the reduction of exercise-induced stress, damage and inflammation. It can also aid in reducing anxiety, promoting better sleep and improving overall health.
ReCreate’s 10:10 drink additive features proprietary nanotechnology that enables a faster onset, and overall superior experience.

Convenient and Functional Drink Additives

Using proprietary nanotechnology to increase bioavailability, the cannabinoids and other functional botanicals in ReCreate’s nanodrink additives are formulated with a focus on the end result, whether that means achieving deeper relaxation or better sleep; tapping into creative energy; or relieving body aches. 

There are three products with different cannabinoid rations for balanced, well-rounded effects: the 5:5 drink additive, which is 5mg CBD: 5mg THC; the 10:10 drink additive, which is 10mg CBD: 10mgTHC; and the sleep drink additive, which contains 2.5mg CBD, 2.5mg CBN and 5mg THC.

ReCreate’s Sleep additive features CBN in addition to CBD and CBN. Add it to your favorite bedtime beverage for a restful night.

CBD, THC and CBN are combined with functional botanical boosters including turmeric, valerian root, lemon balm, Chaga and ashwagandha. Many of these herbs, plants and fungus are common in Ayurvedic medicine, which has been used in Indian traditional medicine for over 5,000 years. Additionally, ReCreate products are made with only clean ingredients that are ethically sourced, non-GMO and suitable for vegans.

ReCreate’s range of nanotech drink additives is built for both convenience and wellness. Each one is designed to provide safe, consistent and repeatable results that can be easily woven into your daily routines.  

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Introducing ReCreate Beverages: All the Buzz Without the Fuzz

Today’s cannabis connoisseur has certain expectations when it comes to ingestible products. Gone are the days when unhealthy, sugar-laden brownies with unknown cannabis quantities were the only edible option.

Scientific developments and new technology have led way to “edibles 2.0,” a new wave of cannabis-infused products that provide consistent doses, increased efficacies, and perhaps most importantly, enhanced wellness. ReCreate’s new line of THC beverages ticks all these boxes—and then some.

ReCreate is the new brand of THC products from the Stanley Brothers, experts in the realm of whole-plant health thanks to their CBD product, Charlotte’s Web. With ReCreate, the brothers have developed a range of THC-infused products to improve overall wellness. The range includes gummies, tinctures and beverages.

A relatively nascent vertical, cannabis beverages make up only 5% of the edibles market. However, their popularity is growing at an impressive rate: According to the Cannabis Beverage Association, infused beverage sales surged 40% last year, to $95.2 million. By 2025 the THC-infused beverages market will account for $1 billion in U.S. sales, according to Brightfield Group.

It’s easy to see why cannabis beverages are making such a splash. Whether you’re new to cannabis or consider yourself somewhat of an expert, THC beverages bridge the gap between the expected and the unexpected. Most people know how a beer or a glass of wine will make them feel. Infused beverages offer precise doses, meaning consumers can expect consistent, predictable effects.

Most people who have consumed edibles can recall a time when they had one (or two) too many gummies. Growing impatient while waiting for the effects to kick in, you decide to take more, but are then left incapacitated when the THC hits all at once. That’s because cannabis edibles are metabolized in the liver, converting THC into the more potent compound 11-hydroxy-THC. This process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours to feel the effects, and can lead to over consumption if you’re not careful.

Using proprietary nanotechnology, the THC in ReCreate beverages starts to work almost immediately. It enters the bloodstream through the tissue of your mouth, esophagus and stomach, maximizing the bioavailability of the cannabinoids and delivering fast results. This means you will start to feel the effects within five to 15 minutes. Say goodbye to the waiting game, and get the feeling you are looking for right away.

ReCreate Drinks Blend Science with Sapidity

All ReCreate beverages have been formulated for a targeted experience, whether that’s deeper relaxation, mental performance, better sleep, creative energy, or all-around body relief.

The advance formulations contain optimal amounts of CBD and THC for a balanced, well-rounded high. The drinks are also enhanced with additional minor cannabinoids CBN and CBG for a more efficacious experience. Along with cannabinoids, scientifically proven botanical boosters and adaptogens like Yerba Mate, Ashwagandha, Cordyceps and Passionflower have also been added to help you function at a higher level.

THC and CBD are the two most commonly known “major” cannabinoids, but the cannabis plant has over 150 cannabinoids with potential health and wellness benefits waiting to be discovered. Professor Raphael Mechoulam was the first to isolate cannabinoids—and also the first to discover how they interact with our bodies’ endocannabinoid systems (ECS). This complex network of receptors and transmitters works to keep our bodies in homeostasis by regulating sleep, stress and pain management.

There are three flavor options available as a 2.5 mg CBD/2.5 mg THC microdose formula: Blueberry Mint Acai, Cucumber Mint, and Mango Hibiscus. For those wanting a heavier hitting dose, Cucumber Mint and Mango Hibiscus are available in an extra-strength 10 mg CBD/10 mg THC option that will uplift you in a delicious, refreshing way.

Clean ingredients are essential to encouraging a healthier lifestyle, so ReCreate beverages only contain natural products made from ethically sourced, non-GMO, vegan ingredients. Plus, each can contains only 30 calories.

Maybe you’re looking for a new and refreshing way to get high with friends. Or maybe you’re just sipping solo and want a little extra buzz. Either way,  ReCreate beverages are one of the most advanced highs you can buy. They offer a delicious replacement to alcohol and the associated adverse effects while still having access to the same social experience as popping a few cold ones—without the concern of over-consuming.

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The Fast-Acting Benefits of ReCreate’s CBD + THC Gummies

Designed for a higher function, ReCreate’s cannabis-infused products contain optimal levels of full spectrum CBD, fast-acting THC, and functional botanicals. 

Intended to become a life-enhancing part of your daily routine, ReCreate offers a variety of precise formulas that deliver consistent and repeatable effects including: Everyday, Energy, Focus, Immunity, Recovery, Relax, Relief and Sleep. 

Their new line of gummies offers the same great wellness benefits but gives consumers more variety and added convenience. Whether you are incorporating them into your daily wellness routine, or taking them as needed, their small size makes it easy to consume wherever you are.  Plus, they work fast. 

Quicker Onset Than Your Average Edible

ReCreate gummies are conveniently ready to assist you in achieving a desired state of wellbeing whenever you need it. You might be used to waiting a while for effects to kick in from edibles, but these aren’t your average cannabis-infused gummies. 

While the effects are not instant, the nano-encapsulated cannabis used in ReCreate gummies lends to consistent, fast acting results.  Nano-encapsulated cannabis is more bioavailable than traditional cannabis extracts, meaning your body can absorb and process the cannabis faster. 

This industry-leading innovation allows for one of the fastest, smoothest onsets in the market. 

Boosted Benefits With Botanicals, CBD and THC 

Each resealable, child-resistant package contains ten colorful heptagon shaped gummies evenly coated in what looks like granulated sugar, but is actually monk fruit. 

The flavor profile varies with each formula – whichever is selected will greet you with a whopping blast of fruity aroma, proudly boasting bold flavors reminiscent of popular mix-in drinks. Expect to taste the cannabis a bit – these aren’t designed to hide it. The synergy of cannabinoids alongside ReCreate’s carefully selected functional botanicals sets the company apart from standard edibles.

ReCreate Energy (CBD+THC+Yerba Mate) packs a punch of sweet watermelon with a touch of sour lemonade. Natural, vegan and gluten-free, these plant-based gummies are designed to uplift your spirits. Yerba Mate, the key botanical in this formula, is well known for its ability to reduce fatigue with its energy boosting properties.

Recreate Recovery Gummies

ReCreate Recovery (CBD+THC+CBG+Cordyceps) is a kick in a pouch with a tangy tangelo flavor. The Recovery formula, labeled on the package as “Tangelo Gummies,” provide joint support needed for those with active lifestyles. Fun Fact: the key botanical, Cordyceps, was originally used by Tibetans.

Recreate Relax Gummies

ReCreate Relax (CBD+THC+CBN+Ashwagandha) has a sweet burst of strawberry-kiwi. Ideal for those seeking additional support for managing everyday stresses and finding a sense of calm. You can give thanks to Ashwagandha for this natural relief – the Ayurvedic herb has been cultivated in India for generations. 

**One vegan, gluten-free gummy is considered a single dose, but it’s always important to start with a low-dose of anything new you consume (which could be a half of a gummy for your first time) and wait to assess the effects before increasing the  dosage. Take into consideration that consuming edibles involves metabolization through the gastrointestinal system and may provoke effects that feel different/more intense than other methods of cannabis consumption. 

Quality You Can Trust

Sourcing matters––there, we said it. ReCreate is powered by the Stanley Brothers, creators of the iconic Charlotte’s Web. These global leaders know a thing or two about delivering a quality product – from ingredients, to packaging and branding, to customer service. 

The Stanley Brothers are also proudly committed to the health and wellness of the world, and they act on this mission by implementing socially and environmentally responsible cultivation and production practices. 

While we are big fans of the gummies, don’t let our enthusiasm refrain you from exploring ReCreate’s tinctures and chocolates too––you’ve got options.

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ReCreate: Stanley Brothers’ Latest Brand Puts Health Before Getting High

In the early days of legal cannabis, we consumers didn’t have nearly as many choices as we do today. We spent a lot of money on mediocre edibles loaded with sugary syrup to mask the marijuana taste, or tinctures made with extremely high THC content so we could get as stoned as possible – that was the goal, right? 

Today’s cannabis consumer is far more discerning, and rightfully so. Numerous emerging cannabis brands have raised the standards for flavor, nutrition and sourcing along with extraction processes and sustainability. Buyers aren’t just looking for quality products. They want an experience that goes beyond getting high – something that supports health and well-being. Whether that’s calm, energy, clarity, relaxation or pain relief, cutting-edge cannabis brands are tailoring their formulations and designing precise outcomes for health-minded consumers. ReCreate is one of those brands.

CBD + THC Botanicals

ReCreate is the brainchild of the Stanley Brothers, seven actual siblings from Colorado who won global recognition as creators of the iconic Charlotte’s Web, an industry-leading pioneer in whole-plant hemp health supplements. With ReCreate, the brothers have centered the wellness component of cannabis consumables and added ancient herbal medicine to the mix.

ReCreate products combine full-spectrum cannabinoids (CBD and THC) with what they call “functional botanicals” – that is, plant-derived compounds like turmeric, valerian root, lemon balm, chaga and ashwaganda. Many of these herbs, plants and fungi are staples of Ayurvedic medicine, which has been foundational to traditional Indian health practices for more than 5,000 years. 

With mainstream society’s growing interest in functional foods, adaptogenic herbs, natural remedies and plant-based health, ReCreate is providing health-conscious consumers with beneficial cannabinoid formulas that include popular botanical supplements. You know you’re keeping pace with a big trend when even the New York Times is asking, “Are Mushrooms the Future of Wellness?

Studies indicate that these traditional botanicals offer real, measurable benefits: Lion’s mane (a mushroom included in the ReCreate Focus dark chocolate) has been shown to have a positive effect on neurological health. And turmeric (an herb featured in ReCreate’s Relief tincture) may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects

A New Concept for Cannabis

The pandemic has changed the cannabis industry landscape in more ways than one. Beyond addressing daily concerns like arthritis or insomnia, consumers want to do all they can to support their immune systems, reduce stress and manage anxiety. ReCreate’s new formulations couldn’t possibly have better timing. 

The brand prioritizes health over getting high – or as their website states, “ReCreate products are not intended to be mind-altering with high amounts of THC, but rather life-enhancing with optimal levels of THC, CBD and functional Ayurvedic botanicals designed to make your life healthier and more complete.” Further appealing to the GOOP cohort, all of their offerings are gluten-free, vegan and ethically sourced, and certificates of analysis for all products can be easily reviewed online.

ReCreate products are named after the effect they’ve been designed to produce. For example, the four chocolates in their product line are titled FocusSleepRelax and Relief. ReCreate also offers tinctures called EverydayReliefRelax and Sleep. The Sleep tincture has a 1:4 CBD:THC ratio to promote drowsiness, along with the added punch of valerian root, a plant that has been used for sleep disorders in Europe for decades (I sampled the Sleep tincture and slept like a rock).

ReCreate is betting on a whole new concept of cannabis: that of a medicinal plant that can be artfully combined with other herbs to create botanical formulas that support overall health. 

Why eat a sugary chocolate edible when you could have a dark chocolate one with lion’s mane, Vitamin B, matcha and peppermint oil? In the COVID-19 era, products with reliable effects that can be easily incorporated into a daily routine may be a far stronger pitch to mainstream consumers than a blunt or a dab.

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Charlotte Figi: The Little Girl Who Changed the World

Charlotte Figi, the 13-year-old from Colorado whose bravery changed the way the world views medicinal cannabis, has tragically died from complications possibly related to COVID-19.

Late Tuesday evening, a Figi family friend posted an update on Facebook with the news that little Charlotte had passed, stating “Charlotte is no longer suffering. She is seizure-free forever. Thank you so much for all of your love.”

UPDATE FROM PAIGE:Our family is grateful for the outpouring of love while we mourn the loss of our Charlotte….

Posted by Paige Figi on Tuesday, April 7, 2020

For the past several weeks, Paige Figi, Charlotte’s mother, has been posting updates on her Facebook page indicating that she and the other four members of her household were all sick and staying quarantined. The family did not fit all the criteria for COVID-19 testing, so they were told by medical professionals to stay home and self-quarantine.

As time in quarantine passed at a sluggish rate, Charlotte’s symptoms began to worsen. The Figis took her to the hospital where she was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Charlotte was treated on the COVID-19 designated floor, ultimately testing negative for the virus.

Charlotte was released from the
hospital on April 5 and returned home showing strong signs of improvement.

Then, in the early hours of April 7, Charlotte had a seizure that led to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. Paramedics rushed her back to the PICU where she was again treated as a likely COVID-19 case. She passed peacefully in her mother’s arms.

According to the Denver Post, Charlotte’s death has not officially been attributed to COVID-19 by Colorado state officials. If Charlotte’s death is confirmed as a result of COVID-19, it would make her the youngest person to die from the virus in the state.

Charlotte Figi: A Pioneer

Charlotte has endured seizures, sometimes hundreds a week, since she was three months old as a result of developing the catastrophic form of childhood epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome. Despite being prescribed a host of pharmaceutical medications, neither her symptoms nor her quality of life improved. Frustrated by the lack of results and the pain of watching her child suffer, her mother began searching for alternative ways to assist Charlotte’s battle with Dravet.

Countless trips to hospitals and specialists, sleepless nights and constant worry paved the first five years of Charlotte’s life. But her mother was not willing to accept the limited options for helping her beloved daughter. In their search for information about Dravet, Paige and her husband Matt discovered a video showing a California boy whose Dravet was being successfully treated using cannabis. The video referenced that the strain was low in THC and high in CBD. The Figi’s knew they were on the right track, but there would be challenges ahead.

In order to gain access to medical marijuana under Colorado’s newly adopted marijuana policies, the Figis needed to find two doctors to recommend Charlotte for the program. This proved no easy task, as Charlotte was also the youngest applicant in the state to ever apply. They continued to search and finally found two doctors who would sign off on Charlotte’s medical marijuana card, and quickly purchased her first round of treatment from a dispensary in Denver.

“Charlotte was ten feet tall and carried the world on her shoulders.

Inspiring is a lacking word, as are courageous and vivacious and strong and beautiful.

She was divine.” — The Stanley Brothers

The Figis experienced immediate success using the extracted oil from the marijuana purchased, so they continued their investigation. This led them to the Stanley Brothers, who at the time were cultivating marijuana in Colorado. At first, the Stanleys were skeptical about making cannabis oil for someone as young as Charlotte, but after they met, there was no turning back.

The following years would lead to drastic improvements in Charlotte’s health and quality of life. The Stanley Brothers pursued the development of special hemp genetics that were naturally high in CBD and low in THC, which would prove to help Charlotte and the thousands of others suffering from epilepsy. This phenomenon led to the creation of the company Charlotte’s Web, who, together with Charlotte, took the world by storm with their truth about the medical benefits of cannabis.

Charlotte Figi was an inspiration. Her legacy will live on.

TELL US, do you know the story behind Charlotte’s Web?

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