From Hydrophobic to Hydro Friendly 

Cannabinoid molecules are naturally hydrophobic, making it impossible to dissolve them in H20. If you’ve ever baked with cannabis, you’ll know the importance of incorporating ingredients like butter and oil into your recipe. More than just flavor, these fatty substances readily bind to cannabis molecules and activate the psychoactive properties we all know and love. 

So how can you turn hydrophobic cannabinoid molecules into a water-friendly substance? Creating a powder is one of the best methods, with a spray dryer used to transform raw, full-spectrum cannabis oil into a water-soluble powder. Oils should be as pure and contaminant-free as possible, with no traces of wax, terpenes, and plant chlorophyll. This results in a flavorless powder that’s perfect for infusing into beverages. 

H20 and Bioavailability

Pharmaceutical companies have tunnel-vision focus when it comes to bioavailability, aka how a drug is absorbed by the body. Inhalation is traditionally the fastest method of delivery for cannabis, with bioavailability averaging around 30%. Edibles can be much slower and less intense, with bioavailability as low as 4%. Water-soluble cannabis pushes the boundaries of bioavailability by bypassing the digestive tract and offering impressive absorption rates. 

The Cannabis vs Alcohol Debate 

Even in countries like Canada where cannabis has been legalized, botanicals still don’t enjoy the same status as alcohol. Sure, you’ll find marijuana stores on every corner in Downtown Vancouver. But you probably won’t see adults lighting up a joint at a family Thanksgiving lunch or puffing away on a CBD vape at a work windup. A few glasses of wine or champagne on the other hand are completely acceptable. 

So, what makes cannabis so different from alcohol? Yes, they’re completely different substances. But ultimately, both are mood-altering drugs that have been enjoyed by humans for thousands of years. That said, alcohol is the far more socially accepted of the two, even though the CDC reports more than 85,000 alcohol-related deaths every year in the United States. 

Sipping Past the Stigma

Could it have something to do with the fact that alcohol is water soluble and can be easily mixed into sippable drinks, while cannabis needs to be smoked, vaped, or eaten to enjoy? For us, the answer is a resounding yes. We’re not the only ones that think so, with some of the biggest names in global beverage manufacturing getting onboard.

Plain and simple, sipping a can of beer or a glass of wine is far more socially acceptable than puffing on a joint. But it doesn’t have to be. This is where water soluble cannabis has big potential. Already, we’re seeing huge international beverage brands start to incorporate cannabinoid molecules into sodas and energy drinks. Pabst Blue Ribbon and Molson Coors are at the forefront of the movement, though there are also legions of independent companies spearheading the revolution. It’s these types of innovations that will help cannabis overcome its social stigma and emerge as a recreational substance that’s on-par with a six-pack of craft beer or a bottle of Napa Valley wine.