Green about Green, an introduction of sorts
When offered this story by the editor, I immediately thought: “I know nothing about marijuana … or tea.” However, because I’m an anxious “nice guy” with no backbone … here I am.
Other than wearing hemp necklaces in the early 2000’s–with bleached hair and boot cut jeans– I’ve never regularly used marijuana. Also, by the way, I saw Hoobastank perform in ‘02. The very few times I tried Kush were mediocre – I often fell asleep, annoying friends.
On one occasion, however, I experienced the infamous paranoia – due to misguidance from a girlfriend. I was instructed to inhale until she said otherwise. I sucked on her vape pen like a straw stuffed in a Red Robin milkshake. Finally, she said stop – and we embarked on a walk to a nearby coffee stand.
Three minutes into the walk, I felt awful. Another three minutes and, I was out of my mind. She ordered for both of us and we sat at a nearby picnic table. Nauseous and anxious, I kept repeating: Why would you do this to me??
In that moment, she realized I was a weak man-baby and broke up with me.
But history first.
Nintendo 64 … I mean, Amendment 64
In 2014, Amendment 64 legalized recreational use of cannabis in Colorado – placing Rocky Mountain High as a prime mover, blazing a trail for other states. Quickly, “Colorful Colorado” experienced a “green rush” of enamored tourists and capitalizing entrepreneurs who had the other green in mind. Today, in Denver, you can throw a rock in any direction and hit a dispensary. The Mile High City, known as the Gateway to the West, is now a doorway into the “Wild West of Weed.”
Colorado recently surpassed $1 billion in cannabis revenue – a long way from Reefer Madness, an alarmist 1936 movie warning the dangers of dirty, filthy Mary Jane. Its melodrama included an escalation of unfortunate events: manslaughter, assault, insanity, suicide … yikes. We’ve also moved far from the stoner-slacker caricature of the ‘90s – Dave Chappelle’s Half Baked as a prime example. There’s now a genuine interest in the benefits of sweet Mary Jane – and one of the largest growing markets is infused tea.
However, before getting too deep, here’s a quick (cannabis weed) 101 crash course:
Cannabinoids are active chemicals that neutralize anxiety, inflammation and pain. Well-known cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC triggers psychoactive effects – influencing memory, pleasure, motor skills, and concentration. CBD is non-psychoactive, and provides a litany of benefits for gut health, insomnia, and more.
Hemp generally classifies cannabis varieties containing 0.3% or less THC. Hemp has been harvested to produce rope, clothing, paper, insulation and more. Evidence of its use has been recorded throughout history, and many believe it was the first plant spun into usable fiber.
But, before you say, “not my cup of tea,” consider this:
Infused Teas Are Healthy
They are loaded with vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. Both cannabis and CBD-infused teas have been known to reduce pain, relieve anxiety and depression and alleviate nausea. They can help you sleep and even make your headache disappear.
Because cannabinoids are fat-soluble (as opposed to water soluble) – oral ingestion requires it to be consumed with a fat. Erin Leverence, CEO of Sky and Wyatt herbal tea company in Boulder, explains it this way:
“When you brew, you need fat to pull CBD … [as] drinkable.” “Our ingredient is hemp flower. We treat the hemp with heat to make the [natural] CBD bioavailable. Heating and adding coconut oil results in [consumable benefits in] each mug,” she explains.
This heating process is decarboxylation, a vocab term I should’ve included in Weed 101. Heating cannabis causes the loss of carbon compounds and … yada yada yada … makes cannabis-benefits available to your body.
Stillwater Brands, based in Denver, produces a selection of organic THC teas “to deliver relaxation without intoxication.” Their story starts with “it began with a pot brownie,” a nod to their 92-year old grandmother who, despite requesting marijuana for medicinal purposes, had fears of overdoing it (see my paranoid story above, for example.)
With his elderly sweetheart’s fears in mind, her grandson created Stillwater Brands with the mission to provideedible non-scary products for consumers. In fact, one of its catch lines remains, “Buy your grandma something special.”
Yet another Colorado tea producer is Purple Monkey, creating THC infusions “steeped in … tradition and science,” with flavors like strawberry kiwi, mango, and Earl Grey – emphasizing health, wellness, and fair trade. Their provisions can be purchased all over the Mile High City and in various towns across our Centennial State.
A Chronic Conclusion
Whether you enjoy flavorful, aromatic tea with a curiosity about the benefits of CBD and THC-infused tea, or simply want some bud and breakfast, there are plenty of possibilities and options.
If you’re curious but fear over-consumption, the aforementioned brands – Sky & Wyatt, Stillwater and Purple Monkey – responsibly and carefully dose their products to deliver a beneficial experience. Also, ask questions! They’re unquestionably open to queries and sincerely want to help.
Quick Pro-Tip: For THC options, keep in mind they can only be sold in dispensaries – while hemp (CBD) teas can be found in groceries and elsewhere throughout Colorado.
Sidebar:
Sky & Wyatt
CBD/THC Herbal Teas:
Turn On – an invigorating spiced chai
Take Charge – an uplifting green tea hibiscus
Be Still – a soothing, peppermint chamomile
3005 23rd St.
Boulder CO 80302
Order online at: skywyatthemp.com
hello@skywyatthemp.com
Instagram and Facebook: @skywyatthemp
Stillwater Brands
Organic CBD/THC teas: Mellow Mint and Gentle Green
stillwaterbrands.life
The website includes a store locator tab (upper right corner). Stillwater products can be found in Denver, Fort Collins, Boulder, Dillon, Breckenridge, Telluride, Aspen, Steamboat Springs, Pueblo and Trinidad.
stillwater@wearebpr.com
Facebook: @stillwaterlife
Instagram: @stillwater.life
linkedin.com/company/stillwater-brands/
Purple Monkey
THC Infused Teas: Strawberry Kiwi, Monkey Mango, and Earl Grey
purplemonkey.world
Store locations:
https://purplemonkey.world/product-locator/
Discover CBD
One Love Tea: Choose from three flavors – Golden Milk, Matcha Green, and Yerba Mate
discovercbd.com
Facebook and Instagram: @discovercbd
Buddha Teas
CBD –infused teas: Peppermint, tumeric and ginger, chamomile and mushroom defense
cbdteas.net
Available online and at Garden of the Gods Market and Café in Colorado Springs and Nature’s Grocers Vitamin Cottage
