Cannabis-infused drinks are not new. But are the cannabinoids really able to infuse into drinks? Can the cannabinoids mix into solution and provide the same therapeutic benefits? What about for the non-psychoactive cannabinoids like CBD; how can you tell then? 

One patent (U.S. Pat. No. 10,772,457) granted this week to Drive Foods Corp. states that of 10 tested cannabis-infused coffees claiming to contain between 5 mg of CBD to 65 mg CBD prior to the brewing process none contained detectable amounts of CBD in the tested brewed coffee. The tests were said to be conducted through Cannalysis Labs in California. 

It’s no secret that cannabis-based oils don’t mix well with water-based drinks. Some companies have explored improving biochemical properties of the cannabinoids to make them more soluble. For instance, Trait Biosciences Inc. has a patented (U.S. Pat. No. 10,378,020) system and method of making cannabinoids more water-soluble by glycosylation, since carbohydrates are easily dissolved in water. As for brewed coffee, patent ‘457 states that the applicants have concluded that the cannabinoids likely don’t pass through coffee filters. 

In view of this, patent ‘457 discloses a single-serve coffee container having within it coffee, cannabis matter, and a filter wherein the size of the filter pores are larger than the cannabis matter. In essence, this allows the cannabis matter to flow through the filter into the coffee beverage. It is known that if the cannabis matter has yet to be decarboxylated, then the hot water used needs to be at least 105° C (221° F) to decarboxylate and activate the cannabinoids for use. It is surely one way to get around the issue, but it doesn’t appear that the drink is in any way infused now. It seems more likely that the intention is to drink activated cannabis matter, which when digested could produce an effect. 

Infusing drinks with cannabis has caught the attention of many in the food and beverage industries including The Coca-Cola Company and Constellation Brands. Magic Number is following patent and market activity closely to see and document the development and integration of cannabis into the food and beverage industry. Don’t miss a beat and subscribe now to the interactive Cannabis Patent Forecast®.