Weed All About It: Fast Facts About This Budding Industry
The sun is shining, temps are rising, your Mini Soda summer has arrived, and we believe Mini Soda is the social sipper of the summer. Why? We’re passionate about the industry we’re a part of. Beyond the exceptional flavors and fun puns is a fast-growing community of canna-enthusiasts that we’re excited to serve.
While we’ve touched on the details of drinkable cannabis and its evolution before, we figure it’s high time we break down the basics of this budding industry.
Let’s hop in!
The Classification
Since 1971, marijuana has been labeled a Schedule I drug. Alongside heroin, methamphetamines and LSD, these substances are defined as having “high abuse potential with no accepted medical use; medications within this schedule may not be prescribed, dispensed, or administered.”
Current administration looks to reclassify the drug to Schedule III, placing it alongside steroids, testosterone, and the like.
A Schedule III classification would allow pharmaceutical companies to sell and distribute medical marijuana.
The Plant
Both hemp and marijuana plants are the same species; the biggest difference is how much THC it has in it.
Cannabis plants have two main natural compounds:
Cannabis indica plants – higher cannabidiol (CBD) content
Cannabis sativa plants – higher tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content
Legally, “marijuana” refers to cannabis that has more than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight. On the other hand, “hemp” is cannabis that contains 0.3 percent or less THC content by dry weight.
The Body
Cannabinoids are active compounds produced by all cannabis plants. They account for most of the benefits of cannabis.
Cannabinoids found in plants are technically called phytocannabinoids. Cannabinoids produced by the human body are called endocannabinoids.
Cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which promotes homeostasis.
The human endocannabinoid system, or ECS, is a system of neurotransmitters and cell membrane receptors. Neurotransmitters such as endocannabinoids are produced by the central nervous system and interact with cannabinoid receptors on cell membranes to adjust physiological processes at a cellular level.
The Use
According to a 2024 report by the Pew Research Center, “An overwhelming share of U.S. adults (88%) say marijuana should be legal for medical or recreational use.”
Of that 88%, about 57% say it should be legal for both purposes, while about 32% believe it should be legal for medical use only.
Only 11% of Americans feel the drug should not be legal.
While there is so much more to uncover, learn, and discuss, we hope that diving into the weeds of this budding industry was enlightening!
Combining Minnesota nice with an extensive background in the industry, the team at our parent company, Crested River, created Mini Soda to provide an accessible, easy-drinking social beverage. With natural ingredients and a light, refreshing profile, welcome to the high society. Shop online or in store!
