Pros and Cons of Low Dose and High Dose Cannabis Beverages (and Why There is No Market in the Middle)

When consumers visit their local dispensary (or online cannabis delivery service website) and look at the infused beverages for sale, one of the first decisions they’ll have to make is the dosage of the product. In today’s marketplace, there are basically two types of beverages available – low dose and high dose – and very little in between. Below, we review how these two products differ from one another, what the pros and cons of each are, and explain why there are so few products in the middle ground.

Low Dose Cannabis Beverages

A low dose beverage is typically one that offers 10mg of THC or below. The size of these beverages can vary – anywhere from 6 ounces to 12 ounces. Low dose beverages are a great option for consumers who are new to cannabis beverages or want to control their experience by microdosing (drinking a few low dose drinks over an extended amount of time).

Pros of low dose cannabis beverages

1. Controlled effects/low risk of overconsumption: Low dose beverages give the consumer the ability to control their experience. Typically, a person will feel the effects of an infused beverage powered by a water-soluble emulsion like SōRSE within 10-15 minutes. If they feel the difference after twenty minutes of consumption, then they can decide if they want another drink for a more elevated experience.

2. Potential for social use: Low dose beverages are great for social situations because the experience is easy to control, and the risk of overconsumption is low. For consumers who are trying to cut back on alcohol but still want to be able to enjoy a beverage with friends at a BBQ, happy hour, or casual get-together, low dose beverages are a great alternative to a cocktail or glass of wine.

3. Convenient, discreet way to consume: Low dose beverages are packaged in single-serving bottles, cans, or tear packets that can be easily consumed on-the-go.

Cons of low dose cannabis beverages

1. Need to consume more to notice effects: For cannabis enthusiasts with a high tolerance, the reduced potency of low dose drinks might mean having to consume more than two to feel the effects.

2. High calorie count: Some infused beverages contain added sugars or other ingredients which may bring unwanted calories to a consumer’s diet.

High Dose Cannabis Beverages

A high dose beverage is typically one that offers 100mg of THC per package. The size of these beverages can also vary – anywhere from a 4-ounce shot to a 16-ounce bottle or can. High dose beverages are a great option for consumers who have a high tolerance or want to control their experience by choosing the dose that is right for them – which could be one serving or more depending on the size of the packaging.

Pros of high dose cannabis beverages

1. Stronger effects: Given the potency of a high dose beverage, the effects will be stronger. Do note that the consumer will feel the effects within 10-15 minutes just as they would with a low dose beverage, if they are drinking a beverage featuring a water-soluble emulsion like SōRSE.

2. Efficient use of cannabis: For the person who would rather consume one beverage per elevated experience, a high dose drink will be more efficient (and potentially more cost effective) than drinking multiple lower dose beverages.

3. Potential for medicinal use: High dose beverages are an excellent option for people using cannabis for medical purposes, especially for those suffering from respiratory problems and have been advised not to consume cannabis via inhalation. Plus, they are easy to dose, given the packaging requirements regulated by state cannabis regulatory bodies.

Cons of high dose cannabis beverages

1. Higher risk of overconsumption: The maximum amount of THC allowed in infused beverages in most states where cannabis is recreationally legal is 100mg – but as described above, that 100mg can be in small format beverage (like a shot) or something considerably larger. Because of this, there is a higher risk of overconsumption, especially if a consumer is not sure what their dosing sweet spot is, or they don’t follow the dosing guidelines on the package.

2. High calorie count: Some high dose beverages contain added sugars or other ingredients which may bring unwanted added calories to a consumer’s diet.

No Market in the Middle

In today’s beverage marketplace, product developers are mostly creating low and/or high dose options; there are few drinks with dosing that falls into a mid-range. What’s driving this trend? For one, lack of demand, given the consumers’ ability to dose themselves as they please with a 100mg beverage – they view that product size and dose as “multi-serving.”

Another consideration is the challenge around the cost of producing an infused beverage. When creating a drink formulation, a producer needs to consider the price per milligram as well as the cost of the other ingredients and manufacturing. For most

producers, it makes better financial sense to offer either a low or high dose option, and in the case of the latter, let the consumer decide the right dose for them.

Conclusion

Whether someone prefers a low dose beverage or high dose beverage, today’s consumers have many options to choose from compared to a few years ago when there were just a few products on the market. From seltzers to teas to sparkling waters to aperitifs, there’s a beverage out there for all types of cannabis consumers. In terms of finding the right dose, when all else fails, “Start low, go slow!”

To learn more about some of the water soluble cannabinoid infused cannabis beverages on the market that are Powered by SōRSE, check out our Powered by SōRSE product page. If you’re interested in creating an infused beverage this year, book a meeting with our team here.