Getting high used to be limited to the familiar seven-tipped plant known as marijuana. This powerful plant was criticized as being a dangerous “gateway drug” and had many unflattering names like “chronic” and “dope.” Yet the world has seen a remarkable change in perception in how marijuana is used; there are currently 38 states that have legalized marijuana for medicinal use and half of those states also allow the use of recreational marijuana. One such form of recreational marijuana is a unique form that is gaining popularity at an astonishing rate: drinkable THC! Today’s product review features a unique THC-drinkable called Orange Cream Pie Cannabis Soda by Blaze. If you’re ready to blaze your way through the bubbles and enjoy a deliciously euphoric high, you’re in for a treat with today’s flavorful cannabis-infused soda!
The True Definition of Cannabis
The definition of cannabis is often muddled amongst a myriad of terms. Cannabis and marijuana are often used interchangeably, while hemp is thought to be a completely different plant that simply doesn’t get the user high. The real truth is that cannabis is the mother plant; marijuana and hemp are identical in composition, but differ only in their total THC content. Hemp is defined as having 0.3% THC or less, whereas marijuana contains considerably more than 0.3% THC and is known for its debilitating effects.
Cannabinoids are the compounds found within either the hemp or marijuana plant. When cannabinoids are derived from federally legal hemp, they are considered legal in accordance with the 2018 Farm Bill. Yet if the cannabinoid is derived from marijuana, they are classified as illegal by the same bill. While it might seem a bit silly to have such restrictions, it all comes down to what lawmakers have deemed appropriate. With this cannabis-infused beverage, you’ll have to confirm that cannabis and marijuana are legal for recreational consumption within your state. Let’s talk a bit now about what exactly drinkable THC is and how it differs from the traditional forms of marijuana.
Drinkable THC: What Is It?
When it comes to consuming marijuana, your mind probably goes to either smoking a “clippy” or eating a gummy. Yet there’s a new way to consume edibles and it’s becoming one of the most popular forms to get high: drinkable THC! With THC-infused beverages, the beverage itself is often flavored and helps mask the taste of marijuana while offering a shockingly fast reaction time. These THC beverages come in seltzers, lemonades, sodas…the list goes on to include any non-alcoholic drink. Since edible weed must be digested before the effects kick in, it can take a considerable amount of time before you start to feel high. Drinkable THC helps to speed up that process since liquids are processed more quickly by the digestion system. Fair warning though…be careful not to drink too much in a single sitting! Most manufacturers will list a recommended dosage on the bottle, but it’s highly encouraged to start off small with your dosages. Once you have a better understanding on how your body reacts with a certain amount of THC, you can adjust your dosage to better meet your needs. Taking too much in a single sitting can result in increased paranoia and anxiety, extreme drowsiness, uncomfortable dry mouth, and others. If you’re not quite sure where to start, try a small serving of 5mg and work your way up from there. Now that we’ve discussed the merits of drinkable THC, it’s time to check the star of today’s show: The Orange CreamPie Cannabis Soda by Blaze!
The Blaze (Forever Green Herbal) Brand
The Blaze Cannabis Soda brand is actually a sub-brand of the Forever/Ever Green Herbal brand. While the parent brand isn’t listed anywhere on the product packaging, a simple browser search brought me to the company website in a matter of seconds. I was blown away by the beautifully presented products available on the site and even more surprised by the precise categorization the products were listed in: product type, brand name, and even dietary preferences. Since the product I’ll be reviewing is a drinkable, I clicked on the Beverage tab and was redirected to all of their drinkable cannabis. I selected the Blaze brand and was able to view all eight of their cannabis-infused sodas. Since there’s real cannabis in these drinkables, they are only available for purchase in retail stores within Washington State. This is why you won’t find any pricing or an option to purchase on the site. If you’re lucky enough to live in the Evergreen State, I encourage you to check out all eight of these flavors.
Even though there’s no option to purchase any of the Ever Green Herbal products, there are quite a few brands with many enticing products that you can view. Size options, full ingredient lists, nutrition information, and potency levels are conveniently listed for your browsing pleasure. I especially appreciated the consumption advice, as this information isn’t always offered. Now that I’ve tantalized your taste buds with all that Ever Green Herbal has to offer, it’s time to check out the first product I’ll be reviewing from this Washington-based brand. Let’s begin!
Orange CreamPie Cannabis Soda Product Review
My initial reaction to the name Orange CreamPie Soda was a bit muddled. Would it taste like a citrus-y dessert or more like a creamy citrus ice cream? There was only one way to find out! I twisted off the white cap and held the bottle to my nose. I was instantly greeted with the deliciously smooth scent of fresh oranges with creamy vanilla. After inhaling the mouthwatering scent, I carefully poured the beverage into my waiting glass. The serving size says an entire bottle, yet the entire bottle filled up just over half my glass. I noted that the carbonation was very light and had the same fizzy bubbliness of a regular orange soda. I tentatively raised the glass to my lips and took my first sip.
My taste buds were awash in a sweet orange and soft vanilla cream flavor. If I had been blindfolded and drank the soda without knowing the flavor, I would have immediately pegged the flavor for an orange creamsicle. It was refreshing on my palate and delicious on my taste buds. There was no lingering flavor of cannabis, nor was there any detectable flavor of cannabis while drinking it. Due to how good the flavor was, I polished off the entire glass within five minutes. While I did feel a light coating on my teeth and tongue, it was quickly rinsed away with a quick swig of water. I made a mental note of the time and settled in to await the effects.
The Effects!
I began to notice the effects after only thirty minutes. My eyelids began to feel heavy and I noticed my mouth started to feel a bit dry. I began to feel a light mental fog coming on, usually my tell-tale sign that the high is starting. The high began to intensify after about 45 minutes, which is when I felt like the high had reached its full potential. I experienced a deep relaxation coupled with a soothing drowsiness. It was as if a warm weighted blanket had been draped across my entire body. I felt comfortable and relaxed and was very content to stay in my sitting position on the couch.
I experienced a delicious tingling in my face, stomach, and hands and enjoyed a heightened sense of touch. My eyelids started to droop and felt heavier with each passing minute. My sense of humor increased exponentially and I found myself easily amused, often bursting into fits of giggles. Time seemed to slow down and I grew noticeably more lethargic as the high progressed. I experienced a moderate sense of dry mouth as well as a craving for something sweet. My munchies were delighted with the snacks I ate and water tasted exquisite on my parched palate.
After about two hours,I happened to look in the mirror at one point and noticed that the whites of my eyes had reddened, a common side effect of marijuana, but still a bit surprising since I wasn’t expecting it. I felt a light dizziness coupled with a strong sense of couch lock, though I was able to make it to my bed before falling asleep completely. I awoke the following morning with no lingering effects and no disorientation, something that always worries me. I was able to begin my day without battling any mental fog or wait for the remnants of the previous evening’s high to finally go away.
Product Packaging
The Orange CreamPie Cannabis Soda from Blaze came in a glass bottle that was completely covered with a large and brightly colored plastic wrap label. The entire design had a very playful feel, like something you’d grab from an ice chest on a hot day at the carnival. The bottom of the bottle stated the total THC content (10mg) and age restrictions (21+). While the beverage contains no fruit juice, it was crafted with pure cane sugar for a more authentic flavor. The right side of the bottle contains a full nutrition facts label along with a detailed ingredient list. Just above this label was a second label with a batch number, manufacture date, and a QR code. Out of curiosity, I scanned the QR code, only for a number to pop up on my phone screen. The QR code seemed to be for internal use, as the number that popped up on my phone was the same number as the barcode. I was hoping that the QR code would either bring up the company website or lab testing results, but I was mistaken.
However, the left side of the label was extremely interesting. There was a clear slash down the side of the label with distinct markings on the side that showed how many milligrams of THC remained inside the bottle. Next to these markings were the required disclaimers and warnings along with consumption advice. After thoroughly inspecting the label, I realized something about the bottle itself. The bottom of the glass was actually inverted rather than being flat! I felt like this was a bit deceptive as it makes the bottle seem to be much larger than it actually is. I had been surprised that the bottle’s contents only filled about half of my glass, and now I realized why! Since the bottle only holds 6.3oz, I can only assume the design was meant to make the bottle seem more similar to the size and shape of other adult beverages that are sold in 8oz-12oz glass bottles. Aside from this, the bottle was well-designed and extremely informative. It’s clear that a lot of thought and effort went into the creation of both the bottle and the label.
Conclusion
I was very impressed with how powerful the high was despite only consuming 10mg of THC. Everything from the flavor, the effects, and the longevity of the high was quite impressive for a cannabis-infused soda. Even though the soda uses actual marijuana, the orange cream flavor effectively masked any bitter taste I was expecting. In fact, the flavor was so authentic that I almost forgot it was a cannabis-infused beverage! The effects kicked in very quickly and were long-lasting and extremely enjoyable. My only complaint would be that this soda is only available in Washington state, which of course isn’t a problem for current residents. I heartily look forward to trying more products from the Forever Green Herbal/Blaze lineup.
For those looking for a way to kick back and relax, leave your beers in the fridge and help yourself to a deliciously refreshing cannabis-infused soda like the Orange CreamPie Cannabis Soda from Blaze! In my next review, I will be returning to the beloved Delta-8 THC cannabinoid with the Green Apple gummies from Kush Burst! Much like the Treetop Hemp Co. Peach gummies I reviewed in earlier posts, these gummies pack a powerful 50mg of Delta-8 THC per gummy. If you’re seeking a mind-boggling high from a federally legal cannabinoid in the form of a soft and chewy sweet, this is one review you won’t want to miss. Check back soon for this and other in-depth reviews from cannabinoid companies around the country. I look forward to seeing you there!
