The Differences Between THC Drinks and THC Edibles
Hemp derived edibles are available across Minnesota, thanks to legislation that passed in July 2022. The Twin Cities hosts an array of breweries and distilleries that serve an enthusiastic craft and microbrew scene. It’s no surprise that many of these places jumped onto the opportunity to offer their own hemp-derived beverage as well. These beverages, along with many of the gummies or other edibles you’ve seen in stores, fall under the umbrella established by legislation.
Minnesota is a unique case of legalization in this regard; having created the opportunity to have a specific industry for THC beverages, aside and in addition to THC edibles. The variety we have is bountiful, but it can be extremely confusing to less experienced consumers. Aren’t beverages and edibles technically the same? Are these beverages better for my health than taking a gummy? How will one gummy make me feel? How will one or two beverages make me feel? Where should I be purchasing my goods from? We’re here to cut through the clutter, and highlight some key differences between these two unique products. As a reminder, this is not medical advice, and you should always consult with your healthcare provider when applicable.
Are Edibles Better for You Than Smoking?
This is an extremely common question we hear and see online all the time. For many years, cannabis consumption was associated with smoking. It’s not unusual for people to assume that sparking up is the only way to partake. While there are numerous studies on the harmful effects of smoking tobacco, there aren’t as many for cannabis. What research has revealed, is that while it may not be considered as addictive as tobacco, smoking cannabis can still pose a risk for developing respiratory illnesses. In fact, most health professionals would agree that inhaling anything that isn’t oxygen would pose a risk of harm to your lungs.Scientifically speaking, when THC is digested and processed by your liver, it is converted into an entirely different molecule that your body uses, in contrast to when cannabis is smoked. This particular reason is why many choose to partake by digestion, observing a more “full-bodied” effect, rather than one that lingers within your head.
How Edibles and Beverages Differ by THC Bioavailability
Bioavailability is the measure of how much and how quickly a substance you ingest becomes available for use in your body. For example, THC bioavailability can be thought of as a percentage of THC consumed that is processed by your body. Smoking carries the highest bioavailability, meaning that nearly all the THC combusted will reach your brain. A topical, like a THC lotion or balm, will have the lowest bioavailability, which means that your skin will only allow a very low percentage of THC to reach your nerves. Edibles and beverages fall in the middle, and due to a conversion that occurs within the liver, the lower bioavailability of THC doesn’t impact the experience significantly when compared to combustion.
The main difference, in terms of bioavailability between THC edibles and THC beverages, is that edibles are more difficult to divide evenly. When creating THC edibles, there’s no guarantee that the THC permeates all across the product evenly. This can result in a lower bioavailability when attempting to dose less by splitting one.
On the other hand, the nanoemulsion that takes place to create THC beverages results in a product where THC is evenly spread. If you were to pour a Lemon Sour jixxie into two different glasses, so that each glass contains 6 fluid ounces (0.18 l), then each glass would contain 2 mg of THC and 2 mg of CBD.
How jixxie Enhances THC Bioavailability
While most THC beverages and edibles on the market focus on offering only THC at specific dosage levels, we wanted to create a better experience for our customers to enjoy. By supplementing an equal dose of CBD in our beverages, we aim to enhance the bioavailability of THC. Studies have shown that when more than one cannabinoid is ingested, an entourage effect of sorts takes place, resulting in a synergistic experience that enhances the indulgence of THC.
Edibles versus Beverages in Terms of Accessibility
You may already have received emails, social media ads, or seen edibles promoted at various stores across Minnesota. It’s safe to say that edibles are extremely accessible to those interested. However, due to national legislation on the Farm Bill, many purveyors of these edibles online are able to avoid regulation set forth. For example, jixxie provides lab results for analysis of our products to stay compliant. Many online retailers of these edibles, who also stock their product in unsuspecting physical locations, will not have similar transparency when it comes to their product.
While THC beverages are available in a similar manner, they certainly aren’t as plentiful. Because Minnesota enjoys state specific legislation, our local consumers are protected by strict regulation that businesses must follow in order to offer a product. Because of this, we believe that THC beverages that are safe and reliable, are far more accessible than edibles of a similar caliber.