Australian distilleries turn the page with foray into cannabis-infused liquor
Denmark, on the south coast of WA, has a reputation as a paradise for hippies and artists in a region dominated by commercial agriculture and forestry.
Key points:
- Australian distilleries are experimenting with cannabis-infused alcoholic beverages
- In the United States, alcohol, including psychoactive THC, is sold
- Some are concerned about the danger of mixing sedative drugs, others are excited to experiment more
Now, a nearby distillery has brought the two worlds together by flavoring its gin with locally grown cannabis sativa.
“All of our plants are grown and harvested on site,” owner Matthew Beaton said.
The botanical cannabis distillery began operations last year, selling its drinks through an on-site farm restaurant and local bottle shops.
He is not alone. In recent years, several Australian distilleries and breweries have started flavoring their drinks with non-psychoactive cannabis, primarily using hemp seeds.
Mr Beaton said he believed the botanical cannabis distillery in Denmark was the first in Australia to use the whole plant, including the flower or ‘bud’.
Awaiting legalization
In countries that have legalized recreational cannabis, alcohol containing THC is already sold.
“Companies are already doing it,” wine writer Philip White told ABC Adelaide’s Peter Goer in April.
“It is not too difficult to obtain the main compounds of marijuana [in a drink]. CBD, THC… they dissolve easily in alcohol.
Like alcohol, THC has a sedative effect on the brain. Intoxication with either substance can affect balance, reflexes or memory.
“These are both very serious and dangerous drugs,” Mr White said.
He pointed out that combining substances with physiological effects, even legal substances like alcohol and caffeine, can be dangerous.
Nevertheless, Matthew Beaton has said that if psychoactive cannabis becomes legal in Australia, he would “definitely” consider selling it in his drinks.
“If the day comes, we’ll probably start without alcohol. We’ll probably do a soft drink first.”
“There’s maybe a nice little point where it’s fair to have that amount of alcohol versus THC.
“But at this point it’s illegal, so we can’t do anything like that.”
“It’s like a vintage”
Unlike industrial hemp farms that collect the seeds of the plant, Matthew Beaton harvests his sativa plants gradually throughout the year for use fresh in the distillery.
It is therefore difficult to produce a coherent mind.
“Plants change from week to week throughout the growth cycle,” he said.
“It’s like a vintage of wine.”
Mr. White said some local winemakers in California’s Napa Valley have come into conflict with cannabis growers.
“It’s interesting to watch in California, the wine companies are starting to say they don’t like the smell coming into their vineyard,” he said.
“But I’m sure everything will be fine because there’s so much money at stake.”
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