The Power of Liquid Marijuana

Cannabis flower is potent, but it’s far from the herb’s final or most powerful form. That honor goes to cannabis concentrates, which you can find in various forms and flavors. One such product that’s currently making waves is liquid marijuana.

What Is Liquid Marijuana?

Liquid marijuana is a general term for any cannabis concentrate in liquid form, but typically excludes oil-based products. These liquid concentrates may be full-spectrum with a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes, or isolate-based, containing primarily THC or CBD.

Depending on how it’s made, it may be based in alcohol, water, or even syrup. You can drink it by itself, infuse it into edibles or snacks, or use it under the tongue (sublingually) like a tincture. Another common use is mixing the liquid concentrate into cocktails or mocktails. In fact, several ready-to-drink liquid marijuana beverages are already on the market, offering a convenient and discreet way to enjoy your preferred cannabinoids and relax.

How Is It Made

All the major cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), are fat-soluble, meaning they dissolve well in fats and oils but not water. Fortunately, some lab geniuses found a way to make cannabinoids water-soluble through a process called nanoemulsification.

Nanoemulsification involves breaking down, separating, and packing cannabis oil into tiny, nano-sized particles that can mix smoothly into liquids like water, alcohol, or syrups. Adding emulsifiers to the mixture keeps the blend stable and smooth.

Without this process, drinks made with liquid weed would likely have a scummy layer of oil floating at the top. Besides making cannabinoids easier to dissolve into drinks, nanoemulsification also boosts liquid marijuana’s bioavailability, so your body can absorb more of it.

What Makes Liquid Marijuana So Potent?

Three main factors contribute to liquid marijuana’s potency – its THC content, bioavailability, and how quickly your body absorbs it. THC is the cannabis compound most known for causing psychoactive effects, and the more of it in a product, the more intense its effects typically are.

While THC content can vary between liquid marijuana products, it’s typically much higher than what you’d find in regular flower, making it a more potent option. Next is liquid marijuana’s bioavailability, which is how well your body can absorb its cannabinoid content.

Ingesting cannabis typically has a lower bioavailability than other popular consumption methods. Unlike smoking or vaping, which sends cannabinoids directly to your bloodstream, ingested cannabis must first pass through your digestive system and liver. These extra steps lead to a significant amount of the ingested cannabinoids not reaching your bloodstream.

Ingested liquid marijuana doesn’t have this problem because nanoemulsification breaks THC and other cannabinoids into tiny, water-compatible particles that your body can absorb more efficiently. Your mouth will absorb some of these nano-particles sublingually, while the rest goes to your stomach and digestive tract. Since the particles are so tiny, your stomach won’t have to put as much effort into breaking them down, leading to greater absorption. The absorption rate is also faster, meaning you’ll feel its effects quicker.

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Alcohol-based liquid cannabis products have an even faster absorption rate because alcohol helps cannabinoids enter the bloodstream directly through the stomach lining. Bypassing some of the digestive process allows the effects to kick in quicker and often more intensely than water- or syrup-based products. Lastly, alcohol makes your blood-brain barrier more permeable, allowing THC to enter your brain quickly.

Pros and Cons of Liquid Cannabis

Liquid marijuana has several distinct features that make it a better option than other cannabis products. But it also has some downsides that make it unideal for specific recreational or medical uses. 

Here are the biggest of these pros and cons:

Pros

• Versatility: You can enjoy liquid cannabis in a number of ways, including drinking it on its own, mixing it into foods and drinks, or using it sublingually. You can even vape liquid THC products specifically designed for vaporization.
• Fast Absorption: Unlike other cannabis edibles that can take up to 2 hours to fully kick in, liquid marijuana works much faster thanks to nanoemulsification. Also, while its effects last a long time, like regular edibles, the duration is typically a bit shorter.
• Easier Consumption: Compared to flower, resin, and other concentrates, measuring the dose and consuming liquid marijuana is much easier. 
• Discrete Use: No need for rolling papers, bongs, or pipes. You can conveniently and discreetly take a swig of it without drawing attention or creating indoor smoke and aromas for health, privacy, or parenting-focused consumers.
• Longer Shelf Life: Liquid marijuana is typically more stable and less prone to degradation than many other cannabis products.

Cons

• Taste: Some liquid marijuana products, especially full-spectrum ones, have an unpleasant, bitter taste. Unknowingly mixing such products into your food or drink can ruin your recipe.
• Cost: It costs more than flower or basic concentrates due to the extra processing involved.
• Delayed Effects: While liquid marijuana’s effects hit faster than regular edibles, it’s still slower than smoking or vaping. This makes it unideal for experiencing immediate relief from cannabinoids, although the difference is only around 15-30 minutes anyway.
• Potential for Overconsumption: You can easily get carried away while sipping on a liquid marijuana cocktail and ingest too much. Overdosing on CBD or THC is not directly fatal but may lead to unwanted effects like anxiety, dizziness, nausea, or extreme drowsiness.

Who Should Use Liquid Marijuana

Liquid marijuana is an excellent choice if you prefer eating or drinking your cannabis but want faster and stronger effects.  It’s also perfect if you like variety, as its versatility lets you enjoy it in several ways. You can add it to your morning coffee and let the cannabinoids work their magic as you conquer your morning.

Alternatively, take a swig of it as necessary to ease pain or manage stress as your day unwinds. You could also opt for refreshing, ready-to-drink cannabis-infused beverages or choose liquid vaporizers for faster effects. Cannabis drinks may be useful substitutes for alcoholic drinks in social situations, health aspects, and potentially reduce harmful habits this way.

Just keep in mind that everyone responds to cannabis differently. As such, your experience using liquid marijuana may differ from the stories you’ve heard.

READ: A Medical Cannabis Tincture: How To Make Green Dragon Tincture

Who Shouldn’t Use Liquid Marijuana

While cannabis is generally safe, it’s not for everyone, especially highly potent products like liquid marijuana. Are you allergic to cannabis, pregnant, or breastfeeding? If so, you shouldn’t be using liquid marijuana or other cannabis products.

Also, if you take medications or have a medical condition like heart disease, mental health issues, or liver problems, consult your doctor first. Certain medications and conditions can interact poorly with cannabis, potentially leading to unwanted side effects or the reduced effectiveness of your treatment. Your doctor will let you know if marijuana is safe for you and help you avoid any risky interactions.

How to Choose a Quality Liquid Cannabis Product

Liquid marijuana comes in different flavors, potencies, and qualities. Pick the right one for your desired experience by looking out for the following:

• Price: Liquid cannabis typically costs more than regular flower and is commonly found in concentrates. So, if you find it at an unbelievably low price, chances are it’s a low-quality product that you should avoid.
• Cannabinoid Profile: You should choose a full-spectrum liquid cannabis with the same cannabinoid and terpene profile as the original plant. Or, you could go for a THC or CBD isolate that contains only one purified compound. The right choice depends on whether you want psychoactive effects with a more rounded experience, or non-intoxicating relief.
• Clear Label: The product should have an easy-to-understand label that clearly states the amount of THC and CBD per serving, total cannabinoid content, and ingredients. Avoid products with ingredient lists that mention unnecessary additives or artificial flavors. Keep in mind that emulsifiers are essential and inevitable in nanoformulations.
• Third-Party Lab Testing: It should have proof of independent testing for potency, purity, and contaminants like heavy metals, solvents, and pesticides.
• The Base: The product may be water, alcohol, or syrup-based. Water-based options are great for direct consumption or mixing into drinks. Alcohol-based options make good tinctures, while syrups are ideal for sweetening and flavoring beverages, edibles, and other recipes.