Author: Fulton Burke

  • High Tea with Kikoko

    High Tea with Kikoko

    Sip by sip, Kikoko is transforming the way cannabis is consumed. Tales of drinking infused cannabis beverages date back thousands of years and is one of the oldest consumption methods. Since cannabis was first legalized for medical use in 1996, there have been few beverage options which were only found at a handful of dispensaries. Fortunately, this is quickly changing as more states legalize recreational cannabis. Kikoko is helping lead the way and coming up with creative uses to consume cannabis.

    Cannabis Infused Herbal Tea

    Kikoko is a cannabis-infused herbal tea company based in Northern California. The company was founded by two women Amanda and Jennifer who have the intent of normalizing cannabis consumption. What’s more normal than a cup of tea?

    Kikokos open tea

    However, Kikoko Teas are not your normal tea blends and the high is not your typical high. These thoughtfully crafted tea blends consist of different cannabinoids and herbs to create unique experiences for people not just looking to get stoned.

    These blends start with a purpose and a name that is easily understood by the consumer. They currently have four main offerings, Sensuali-Tea, Sympa-Tea, Positivi-Tea, and Tranquil-Tea. Even if you are new to cannabis, these fun names can provide a lot of direction and understanding of someone looking for relief through cannabis.

    People seeking general relief and not just to get stoned are the largest demographic of new cannabis users. More often than not, this group prefers to ingest cannabis-infused edibles as opposed to smoking or vaping the plant.

    Kikoko’s Unique Blend

    It’s really Kikoko’s blend of various cannabinoids and herbs that make their teas so unique.  While most people are familiar with THC and CBD, cannabinol or CBN is lesser known. CBN is created when THC starts to degrade. It’s also the chemical in old cannabis that makes the user feel tired.

    tranquilitea

    For many people, the ability to sleep through the night is what pushed them to try cannabis in the first place. By formulating CBN into their Tranquli-Tea blend, they are able to target a specific feeling that people desire. In addition, this blend incorporates multiple relaxing and sedative herbs such as chamomile, valerian root, lavender, and cornflower petals to further enhance the effects.

    Personal Favorite Cannabis Tea

    My personal favorite is the Positivi-Tea. This caffeinated green tea is a 2 to 1 THC to CBD blend that incorporates bright and lively herbs such as peppermint, spearmint, lemon myrtle, lemongrass, licorice root, and safflower petals. As a heavy THC consumer, I sometimes feel that I’m CBD deficient. This is only apparent once I finally consumed CBD. It’s almost as if it balances the THC. It really does wonders to positively boost my mood and the addition of carefully curated herbs also enhance that experience.

    KiKOKO Postitive Tea

    This synergistic feeling is what sets Kikoko apart from other edibles. These teas use herbs to modulate the effects of the cannabis. Typically it is the smells or rather terpenes that affect a cannabis smoker’s experience. These terpenes are most often lost when making edibles. Therefore, the usual indica and Sativa paradigm isn’t a useful way to judge the effects of an edible. Kikoko’s blends are able to incorporate terpenes and unique effects in their tea with organic herbs and proprietary cannabinoid ratios.

    Final Thought’s and Honey Sticks

    Whether you are new cannabis user or not, Kikoko makes an amazing product that is worth a try. The ability to drink and eat cannabis to get high is not new. However, Kikoko is taking it to the next level. Their newest product, THC and CBD infused Manuka honey sticks, can boost your tea drinking experience or be enjoyed on their own. These low dose honey sticks are a perfect way to sweeten your tea or add to your morning toast. Kikoko’s cannabis-infused herbal teas are definitely helping change the way cannabis is consumed.

  • Kiva – California’s Favorite Cannabis Confection

    Kiva – California’s Favorite Cannabis Confection

    In the cannabis capital, Kiva rules the edible market with their gourmet chocolate, micro-dose mints, and newly released infused gummies. California based Kiva Confections was launched by Scott Palmer and Kristi Knoblich in 2010. Back then, there weren’t too many regulations in California’s medical cannabis industry. It was still very much the wild west and very much illegal under federal law. However, that didn’t stop Kiva’s rise to popularity.

    Transforming Edible Cannabis

    At this time, the industry was shaking its stoner persona and your average edible was a brownie or a cookie, wrapped in janky packaging with a homemade label. Kiva transformed the edible cannabis market with modern packaging, high-quality ingredients, and reliably consistent dosing.

    Their mission to “develop innovative ways for people to consume cannabis which nurture, enhance, and improve lives” has continued into California’s legal adult use market, as well as operating in AZ, NV, IL, and HI. But here I’m only going focus on their California products because those are the edibles I know and love.

    Chocolate Covered Blueberries

    Kiva Chocolate Blueberries

    My first experience with Kiva Confections was with their Terra Bites. The Terra Bites come in a cute little tin as chocolate covered blueberries, or my absolute favorite, chocolate covered espresso beans. If you like the taste of chocolate and coffee as much as I do, watch out! You’ll eat a whole tin full before you know it.

    Each expresso bean is 5 milligrams of THC, that can add up a little too fast. On the contrary, this makes them perfect to micro-dose. A cannabis edible micro-dose is typically 5 mg of THC or less. Great for a beginner, but also a delicious treat for someone looking for a stronger effect.

    Cannabis Chocolate Bars

    Kiva chocolate bars
    Arizona specific chocolate bars

    Kiva also has a variety of cannabis chocolate bars. In California, Kiva is almost synonymous with a chocolate bar. They have a range of flavors from the traditional milk and dark chocolate to Irish Mint Cream and Vanilla Chai. Being delicious and high in THC, these chocolate bars also come with CBD options which the Terra Bites do not. The dosing is straightforward as the bar is divided into ten pieces and is typically a total of 100 mg of THC and/or CBD.

    CBD Gummies

    Kiva is now expanding its CBD offerings with their new product, Camino Gummies. The Caminos have a variety of fruit flavors and are easily dosed in 5 mg portions of either THC or CBD. I always prefer to let them dissolve in my mouth for a faster sublingual activation and to savor the flavor. Who doesn’t love gummies, right?

    THC Mints

    Kiva Products

    Kiva’s last product is also easy to absorb sublingually. Their Petra Mints come in two tasty flavors, Moroccan Mint and Eucalyptus. They provide the perfect micro-dose and freshen your breath. That’s a win-win. These mints are all dosed at 2.5 mg of THC. The only downside is that there is no CBD option. Nevertheless, the flavor is great and the potency is on point. Great for a beginner or an aficionado that always wants fresh breath.

    Socially Responsible Cannabis Business

    Kiva’s dedication and mission truly go beyond confections and encompass every aspect of their business. Kiva’s home base in Oakland, CA. A city with a rich history that is being squeezed of its culture by the increasing gentrification from the latest tech boom. Kiva has made it a point to hire locally, with an emphasis on communities facing higher rates of unemployment.

    They are socially responsible leaders in the city’s equity program which lends aid to people desiring to start a cannabis business but have been negatively impacted by the war on drugs. As their products expand and the geographical reach grows, their positive social impact will hopefully spread like a weed to more communities.