California wasn’t the first U.S. state to legalize cannabis for recreational use, but it’s among the biggest markets for new and exciting products in this initial wave of offerings. Los Angeles in particular has a reputation for wellness focused food and beverages, which is why the prevalence of cannabis drinks is growing past the usual stuff at the dispensary.
There’s some brands that are easy to get in almost any dispensary in the legal states, like Cannabis Quencher, but others are unique to SoCal shops and California’s food culture outside of the dispensary. As popular as THC beverages can be, CBD beverages are also super prevalent despite new regs trying to take them out of restaurants and bars. Both are often delicious, purport to boost your wellness game in some way, and are showing consumers exactly what we can look forward to in a world with freedom of innovation in cannabis.
California Dreamin’
This bev is as tasty as can be but has one key difference from some of the other dispensary brands: it has a low enough dose to allow for one to actually drink the whole thing. No offense to the 100mg beverages, but unless you’re a high tolerance or high dose medical patient, such an amount of THC is not advisable, problematic if you’re looking for refreshment and medicine.
When I tried California Dreamin’s 10mg sparkling juices, I was so stoked to have a drink that could be completely consumed in one go instead of measuring it like liquor. In flavors like cranberry apple, pomegranate, and grapefruit, you have a real juice with sparkling water combo that is so drinkable, so fun, and not a big sugary mess. Having a dose like 10mg also makes it perfect for going half with a friend if you’re trying to keep it relaxed.
Blue CBD Water At Kreation
Soon CBD won’t be available as a restaurant add on, so enjoy the niche CBD products at places like Moon Juice and Kreation in Venice, where we stumbled upon this beauty. The blue color comes from algae, and in addition to CBD this water is alkalized. It’s probably the most Los Angeles product I’ve ever tried, cannabis or no, and it didn’t taste too far off from regular water, though my partner said it tasted like pond water.
Sprig THC or CBD Sodas
Flavored sodas are a popular cannabis vehicle for one major reason: Terpenes like those in essential oils . Those who are a fan of Fresca will love the citrus flavored Sprig. Sprig in CBD only can be found online, but in Los Angeles you can try their THC sodas too at shops like MedMen.
Get your drink on in a whole new way with some of these trendy, fun, and tasty bevs that will give you cannabis’ effects, but none of the crappy stuff from alcohol. Drinking cannabis beverages is definitely going to be part of the future of social gathering, so get your practice in to determine your ideal dosage, Los Angeles is a great place to start your weed drink journey
Photos: Danielle Guercio
