phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES MARCH 31ST– APRIL 6TH, 2022 State Licensed Dispensaries & Doctor Certifications | CANNABIS | Cab from p 47 pre-COVID-19. Their reason for more drinking included increased stress, avail- ability of alcohol, and boredom. A recent study this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that alcohol-related deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic rose because of increased drinking to cope with stress, more transplants for alcohol-associated liver disease, and a jump in emergency department visits for alcohol withdrawal. While there are no data that links cannabis usage to getting a better night’s sleep, many studies have linked alcohol consumption with an increased risk of overdose or death. “I’m not going to say there are no ill- health effects from cannabis, but no matter what yardstick you use, it is certainly a lot healthier than alcohol,” says Gibbs. allowing the THC to enter the blood- stream quickly. “You’ve got to shrink that THC down to less than a hundred nano- meters,” says Gibbs. The width of a human hair is roughly 100,000 nanometers. At this micro level, the bitter taste of THC is almost nonexis- tent, especially when coupled with fresh pomegranate, blueberry, and lime juice. “We literally tested hundreds of various combinations and concentrations,” says Gibbs, when describing the final recipe for his products that does not use grapes. By removing alcohol from their wine, Sweet Dreams Vineyards found the tastiest profile using other tart fruits like pome- granates and blueberries. The Arizona cannabis industry gener- ated $1.9 billion in sales for adult-use and medical cannabis combined in 2021, largely because of the launch of recre- ational sales in the state with the passing of Prop 207. According to a report by Headset, which tracks cannabis consumer trends, the majority of the cannabis industry growth last year can be attributed to the first few months of medical operations expanding their customer base from medical-only to all adults over age 21. Arizona cannabis- Danielle Baker, Phoenix PR & Marketing Bill Gibbs, founder and owner of Sweet Dreams Vineyards. Jacob Hanen of Phoenix enjoys the Marijuarita for its quick relaxation effect. “It’s a lot better than taking a gummy,” says Hanen, who mentioned the speed of the THC effect as well as the lack of taste of THC that sometimes can be off-putting for consumers of traditional edibles like gummies or chocolates. “If I’m tired, it will give me a good night’s rest,” says Hanen, a former minor league baseball player for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Sweet Dreams Vineyards conducted a user study group to compare its products to traditional alcoholic drinks and a typical THC edible. They found that a typical THC edible product will take 90 to 120 minutes to notice the effects, while products from Sweet Dreams Vineyards take about 15 minutes to feel the effects of THC. “You start to feel something at 15 minutes, by 20, 30 minutes you are pretty much there, and then in two to three hours you are pretty much out of it,” says Gibbs. The quick-acting effect of the THC in the wine and cocktail is delivered through nano-emulsification technology, which reduces the size of the THC mole- cules until they become water-soluble, infused beverages account for a small share, just 0.6 percent, of the total cannabis sales in 2021. Still, a shift in consumer interest toward cannabis- infused beverages has slowly begun to find stronger interest from cannabis consumers. BDSA, a market research center with expertise in the legal cannabis market, cites that 19 percent of cannabis consumers in fully legal states purchase cannabis- infused beverages. The top occasions for consumption of cannabis-infused bever- ages were creativity, relaxing, and unwinding, especially at night or on a date. Dominique Jackson of Phoenix says that’s exactly why she drinks Marijuaritas. “It’s just a quick high that lasts long,” says Jackson, a bartender at Bacanora in Phoenix. “Smoking never really was for me just because I have high anxiety and I hated the burn in my throat.” Gibbs says more can be expected from Sweet Dreams Vineyards in the future, with the same focus on healthier alterna- tives to smoking cannabis or consuming alcohol. “I’m looking at 16-ounce water,” he says. “I think that’s even healthier for people and it may even come out as zero calories, but I don’t know yet.” The Cannabernet and Marijuarita are currently being sold at two valley dispensa- ries: the Herbal Wellness Center and Marigold in Phoenix. 49
