Those of us that are 40 and older are surprising industry experts by how quickly we are taking to cannabis. Whether we use cannabis products for recreation, to address wellness needs, or some combination of the two, we’re finding that cannabis fits into our lives in a way that perhaps we hadn’t considered before legalization started to happen.
At Three Wells, we think this is because those of us over 40 have never been as active–or as stressed out–as we are now. Hectic work schedules, exercising, packed family schedules: it adds up. With the average age of childbearing on the rise, it’s no longer uncommon for parents in their 50s to still have kids in the house, often quite young ones. Add their soccer matches and dance lessons to the mix, and it’s easy to see why so many of us are frazzled and often sleepless. Exercise helps to relieve the stress, but it also can add to the aches and pains that come with getting a little older–often a reminder that of time we pushed it just a little too far doing our favorite activity.
As more states legalize cannabis for either medical or recreational use, better and better products such as edibles and elegantly designed vapes are being released every week. Shopping in a store full of professionally produced items, from gummies to tinctures, is a very different experience from buying an eighth of an ounce of flower in a baggie from a guy in the street–we are so past that now.
The numbers bear out this trend. For example, more than two-thirds of medical-marijuana cardholders in Ohio are over 40, according to the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy. More than three-fifths are over 50. Ohio is also one of the top markets for one of the most popular manufacturers on Three Wells – Wana Brands. They are also the nation’s No. 1 maker of infused cannabis edibles and they have just released some great new cannabis edibles – Wana Quick Fast-Acting Gummies.
Wana reached their number 1 position thanks in large part to the innovative
approach it takes in developing its products and the Wana Quick Fast-Acting
Gummies are no exception.
The gummies are designed to provide a unique edibles experience. We are particularly fond of these gummies because most cannabis edibles can take up to an hour or even longer to take effect, but Wana’s Quick Fast-Acting Gummies have an onset time of just 5 to 15 minutes. That’s almost as fast as smoking or vaping. The effects last about three hours or about half the time it takes for the effects of inhaled cannabis to wear off. This means that you can get a better idea of how much to take and how long it will last.
When we researched these new products, as we do with all of the products on Three Wells, Wana shared with us that the effects are thanks to TiME (Thermodynamic Individual Molecular Encapsulation), a new quick onset technology from Azuca, which has partnered with Wana Brands.
If you’re technically minded, here’s how they work:
Traditional edibles convert the active component in cannabis, Delta-9-THC, to 11-Hydroxy-THC in the liver, which results in more potent and longer-lasting effects. Wana Quick gummies have individually encapsulated Delta-9-THC cannabinoids with greater bioavailability that work at the molecular level to bypass the liver and enter the bloodstream almost immediately without converting to 11-Hydroxy-THC like classic edibles.
Good for us over 40:
These gummies will be particularly attractive to cannabis newcomers–or to people who have taken a break from cannabis for a long time–and aren’t familiar with all the advancements that have been made, particularly the much higher potencies that are now available. It’s a familiar scenario among the 40-plus crowd: you eat an edible, wait for a while, and don’t feel much, so you eat some more. Then an hour later, you realize you have consumed far too much. The fast onset of Quick Gummies removes that problem and gives you a measure of control over your experience.
“Consumers need to understand they should Start Low and Go Slow,” advised Wana CEO Nancy Whiteman.
“At Wana, we saw a need for a product that could deliver a less intense inhalation-like experience in an edible form quickly and predictably,” Whiteman told Three Wells. “Wana Quick Fast-Acting Gummies more closely mirror the onset and offset time of a typical inhalable cannabis product, making them a unique alternative to the traditional edible experience, and suited to be enjoyed in shorter time windows like a happy hour beverage.” Whiteman continued.
Each Wana Quick Gummy contains 5mg of THC, which makes them perfect for someone getting familiar with edibles. If you’re still a little nervous, you can start out by eating just half of one. Once you’re comfortable, you can increase the dose. Each package includes 20 pieces. The other nice thing is that the recipe is all-natural and contains no high-fructose corn syrup.
“Knowing what is in your product is the first place to start,” said Mike Hennesy, Wana’s Director of Innovation. “Some ingredients can cause stomach upset, for instance, mineral oil and artificial sweeteners.” All of Wana’s products are made with natural ingredients and are extracted from cannabis grown according to organic standards. “How cannabis is grown can really impact what you’re getting,” Hennesy continued.
The flavors:
Wana Quick Fast Acting Gummies come in three varieties, each designed to meet particular needs and desired effect. While they are currently only available in Colorado, Wana has assured us that they will be rolling them out to several other legalized states, like California, over the summer.
CBD/THC 1:1 Strawberry Margarita: Fast-acting technology is paired with sweet and citrusy flavors of a strawberry margarita with a hint of salt. Infused with CBD and THC terpene-enhanced distillate, this popular 1:1 ratio offers psychoactive effects while promoting relaxation and tranquility. 5mg CBD / 5mg THC per piece, 100mg CBD / 100mg THC per package (20 pieces).
Peach Bellini Sativa: This has a juicy peach flavor of a sparkling peach Bellini. Infused with sativa terpene-enhanced distillate, which has been known to cause a more uplifting and motivating effect. 5mg THC per piece, 100mg THC per package (20 pieces).
Indica Piña
Colada: This one has rich and creamy pineapple and coconut
flavors of a piña colada. Infused with indica terpene-enhanced distillate,
which often results in a mellow, stress-relieving effect. 5mg THC per piece,
100mg THC per package (20 pieces).
More about Wana Brands:
Wana became the No. 1 brand of edibles (BDS Analytics Brand Share Report 2019) in the United States, with more dollars sold than any other brand, by leading the industry in innovation. Wana told us that they’ve created their line of products so that products can be used singly or in combination to address specific health, wellness and recreational needs. They have a range of different CBD/THC ratios as well as a variety of different dosages, onset times and duration of effects.
Another reason for the popularity of Wana’s gummies: great flavor. Wana focuses as much on taste as on all the other qualities of its products. Wana says that more than 30 different types of pectin were tested to determine the best possible consistency of their products. Fruit pectin makes Wana Sour Gummies one of the only available vegan products on the market. During the cooking process, the gummies are infused with a high-quality tincture, not sprayed. All Wana products are made with gluten-free ingredients and taste like real fruit, thanks to all-natural flavoring, coloring and sugar. Wana gummies contain no mineral oil or artificial sweeteners, which can cause stomach upset. We also like Wana products because they are manufactured in line with cGMP and HACCP practices and are tested for potency.
To see more Wana products, you can visit their brand page on Three Wells.