Iowa Brewing Co. Exploring Cannabis-Infused Brews
The United States is truly the land of innovation, imagination, and experimentation. All three of those areas lend themselves to nationwide Cannabis growth, government control, and marijuana legislation. Even more interesting, strongholds of cannabis legalization opposition have seen mass changes and workarounds affect their states' standing.
Take Iowa cannabis for example.
It's still totally illegal to possess or move without medical or governmental allowances. However, some local organizations have found workarounds in the framework of Iowan laws. We have discussed at large the creation of Iowa's first cannabis-infused beverage in Climbing Kites. We have also discussed certain bars in the Des Moines area that are providing cannabis-infused cocktails. Now that very same idea has come to Dubuque at 7 Hills Brewing Company!
That's right, "mocktails," as they're called, are a very popular side-step to alcohol consumption and are created with THC-infused simple syrups.
By the way, those simple syrups are created locally right across the river in East Dubuque by Riverbluff Collective. Check out the 36-minute podcast from 7 Hills Brewing with Riverbluff Collective's DJ Loeffelholz below.
What about brewing with cannabis, can that be done?
This is an interesting question and one the creators at 7 Hills Brewing hopes to take on in the form of a "sour beer." Check it out...
Additionally, they have chatted about the complexities of Iowa's everchanging cannabis laws, regulations, and workarounds. Here's the deal, federal officials have removed hemp from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act as part of the 2018 Farm Bill. This makes some types of cannabis products with less than 0.3% THC legal. Governor Kim Reynolds signed the "Iowa Hemp Act" in 2019, which allows the state's ag department to grant hemp grower licenses and regulate "consumable" products. According to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, licensed growers must have active consumable hemp manufacturer registrations. If you're curious about the differences between hemp and other controlled versions of cannabis in Iowa, this article can clear it up.
So these drinks are legal in Iowa, despite the THC substance being illegal in Iowa... Riverbluff's D9 simple syrups (available here) are said to "blend into any beverage and add 20mg of Delta 9 THC per 1 ounce serving." This syrup turns almost any drink into THC drinks.
Even better, the Delta 9 Simple Syrup can also be used in everything from baking to jelly and jam making, and homemade wine and beer making. And the way it's made, people can enjoy the effects of a beverage in 10 to 15 minutes, as opposed to 45 minutes plus with an edible.
7 Hills Brewing is one of my favorite stops for unique and satisfying brews and delicious food. It could be your new favorite place to stop after a hard day of work, but this time skip the booze and try infused.
Photos: 7 Hills Brewing Company in Dubuque
Gallery Credit: Tom Ehlers
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