Navigating the THC Beverage Space: A CEO's Journey
Asking for a Friend: What Is THC Again?
As a lifelong drinker looking for a better-for-you alcohol alternative, I was overwhelmed by all the complex and scientific jargon swirling around the THC-infused beverage space. THC, CBD, CBG, Hemp—what does it all mean?! Never one to back away from a challenge, I dove into research (and asked a lot of people smarter and more knowledgeable than me) to get to the root of the issue—pun intended.
First and foremost, THC (or Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol if you’re nasty) is the psychoactive cannabinoid known for that infamous “high” feeling.[¹] It can be derived from both the cannabis and the hemp plant. Hightail uses a small dose (1.5 MG) of nano-emulsified Delta-9 THC derived from hemp to give you fun you can feel, without the regret. We chose hemp as our source since it is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.[²]
Isn’t Hemp a 90s-Era Puka Shell Necklace Material?
I definitely thought that too. Turns out that both hemp and cannabis plants derive from the same species, but hemp limits the amount of THC inside the plant to no more than 0.3% of THC content by dry weight.[³]
Do you need to care about that? No. This just means you can enjoy your hemp-derived THC-infused beverages legally—shipped right to your door, and even in your local liquor store, where state laws allow.
CBD Is in My Coffee, My Dog Food, and My Facial—But What Does It Actually Do?
CBD (Cannabidiol, if you’re looking to impress at your next cocktail party) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid—meaning it does not give you that infamous high feeling. Research suggests that CBD may help with anxiety and insomnia.[⁴]
Most THC-infused beverages include a high dosage of CBD, but we decided not to include CBD in Hightail due to its association with fatigue. Hightail is here for FUN, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to fall asleep on my one night out, away from the kids. This B is sleepy enough already. 😜
Is CBG That Band from Saturday Night Fever?
CBG (Cannabigerol) is also a non-intoxicating cannabinoid. It is associated with anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory effects—without the fatigue.[⁵]
Hightail includes 3 MG of CBG to support the “entourage effect,” meaning it amplifies the feeling of THC while leveraging its anti-anxiety properties to give you that lighthearted lift. We get enough paranoia from our nighttime doomscrolling…
What Else Are You Curious About?
The non-alcoholic and THC-infused beverage space is growing fast, and we want to hear from you! Leave a comment below or shoot us a note at Cheers@siphightail.com to inform our next blog.
¹ Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Its Effects
² 2018 Farm Bill - Federal Legislation
³ Hemp vs. Marijuana: Key Differences
