What is Cannabis Beer? – Everything You Need to Know About Cannabis-Infused Beer
Does Cannabis Beer actually get you high? What’s the difference between CBD-infused beer and THC-infused beers? Learn everything you need to know about Cannabis-Infused Beer.
By Clara Jaide on Mar. 02, 2020
So, you want to know about drinking your weed, huh? Since the legalization of Marijuana in Canada, Uruguay and select US states, cannabis companies are looking into different ways to get a smoke-free high.
Edibles are a popular way to get high without actually smoking. Edibles usually come in the form of chocolates, gummies or baked goods that are made using THC to produce a “body high” upon consumption.
Body High vs. Head High – What’s the Difference?
Body highs produce feelings of relaxation and lethargy. Head highs produce more mood-altering/energetic effects. Body highs are usually attained by ingesting cannabis as the THC enters the bloodstream through digestion… these highs typically take a while to begin whereas head highs (smoking) can have effects almost immediately.
A cannabis beer or cannabis-infused beer would produce a body high.
Many cannabis companies have already started the initiative with “cannabis beverages”. These include tea and other “carbonated beverages” that are infused with THC to offer a smoke-free high. However, brewing companies, like High Style Brewing Co., have another idea in mind: Cannabis-infused beers. If we can make chocolates, gummy candy and cookies with weed, why can’t we brew with it?
But what is a Cannabis beer? Is pot beer actually beer? Well, that depends on your definition of a beer. Keep reading to learn more about Cannabis beer.
There are two types of weed beers: Cannabis Beer and Cannabis-Infused Beer.
What is Cannabis Beer?
Cannabis beer is a non-alcoholic, typically low-calorie beer brewed with the marijuana plant.
How is Cannabis Beer Made?
Cannabis beer is brewed with crushed stocks, stem and roots of the marijuana plant rather than being infused with Cannabis oils. Instead of using barley (wheat) in the brewing process, brewers will use marijuana. Since the legalization of edibles in Canada in 2019, Companies such as Province Brands are preparing to hit the market with the first weed beer available in Canada.
What is Cannabis-Infused Beer?
Cannabis-Infused Beer is beer infused with Cannabidiol (CBD) or Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabis-Infused beer is also non-alcoholic and often contains little to no calories.
How does a Brewer Make Cannabis-Infused Beer?
Cannabis-Infused beer is brewed with barley, much like traditional beer, and infused with Cannabis oil or THC & CBD oils.
Where to buy Cannabis-Infused Beer
Cannabis beer has hit the shelves in select states where cannabis has been legalized. Check out the article “Cannabis-Infused Beers to Drink for 4/20” for a list of Cannabis-infused beers and where to purchase them.
Does Cannabis Beer actually get you high?
Yes and no. Whether or not cannabis beer gets you high is dependant on whether the beer is made/infused with THC or CBD. Cannabis beers made or infused with THC have the potential to get you high. Cannabis beers brewed/infused with CBD will not get you high, but will give you the “relaxing” sensation of cannabis.
Cannabis Beers brewed with the marijuana plant will contain THC and will provide the effects of a “very quick” high.
Is there alcohol in Cannabis-Infused Beer?
No, cannabis beer is non-alcoholic. Currently, Cannabis-infused beers are made with around 10mg of THC/CBD and little to no alcohol. This is to regulate the safety between mixing cannabis and alcohol.
Is Cannabis beer gluten-free?
Cannabis-infused beers are typically gluten-free as the barley (wheat) is replaced with the marijuana plant.
What does Cannabis Beer taste like?
According to Dooma Wendschuh, the CEO and co-founder of Province Brands, perfecting the taste of Cannabis Beer was not easy. “The things that we would come up with just tasted horrible,” said Wendschuh. “They tasted like rotten broccoli.”
However, with time and chemistry, Wendschuh was able to describe the taste of Cannabis Beer as “dry, savoury, less sweet than a typical beer flavour.”
Where is weed legal?
As of October 17, 2018, weed is legal in Canada. Edibles became legal in Canada on October 17, 2019.
Marijuana is also legal in Uruguay, Georgia and some US states.
Where is weed legal in the United States?
Marijuana is legalized in Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.
Marijuana is medically legal in all other states except Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota where marijuana is prohibited.
Now that you’ve completed your crash course in Cannabis Beer…
Read more about weed beer and other cool things:
Canada Brews Its First Cannabis Beer
9 Cannabis-Infused Beers to Drink for 4/20
Drink Responsibly!