Canna Cola No It's Not Diet Soda

Medical marijuana meets businessman, sounds odd, not really he just may be on to something.

Clay Butler may soon be leaving his mark on the marketing world with a food product called Canna Cola. The man behind the concept admits he has never tasted it nor would he himself ever purchase it. This new soft drink contains THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

It will be an alternative for those who use medical marijuana and just simply do not wish to smoke it or eat it so here is the third choice. It will be geared to medical marijuana dispensaries.

Clay Butler who is from California and a commercial artist states he has never drank or even smoked. He lives a clean lifestyle. He does admit to having two beers in his entire lifetime. In case your wondering no he does not smoke marijuana. He will admits to taking an aspirin now and then.

Even with all clean American living he is a partner in a company that is confident in moving assertively in a market that could possibly in the future become hugely popular by combining pot and soda. Two products viewed as a curse by many Americans. However, it is usually as not liking one but approving of the other.

Butler stated even though personally he is not interested or believes it is right for him, he does believe adults have an inherent right to think, eat, smoke, drink, dress any way they choose. What really captivates him is branding, the act of characterizing a product in the market place by the use of words and images. He has designed a line of soda pop that as he puts it will be branded to influence an whole new market.

This new line of THC laced drinks will bring to the market place five different flavors consisting of Doc Weed, Grape Ape, Canna Cola, Sour Diesel and Orange Kush. Sour Diesel is said to contain a lemon lime flavor, Doc Weed similar to that of Dr. Pepper, Grape Ape a grape flavor and you guessed it Orange Kush an orange flavor. This new line will positively be unmatched in the marketing place.

Butler does note that marijuana sodas are available in the market place. He feels none of them are as canny as his product.

According to Butler if you notice the products out in the market place they are more mom-and-pop and hippie in content. If it is possible to fit all the rainbow colors in it they do it. Not to mention the fonts are just not readable or appropriate. The marijuana leaf appears everywhere. Yes he has used the leaf which is not avoidable due to the products THC content. He designed his leaf made out of bubbles so it more resembles soda.

The THC dosage in the products will range from 35 to 65 mg according to Scott Riddell, founder of Diavolo Brands, the marketers of Cana Cola. He remarks that the THC levels will be greatly lower than many of the current drink levels. He associates his product much like that of light beer.

Riddle states it is a milder taste of marijuana. The taste factor is slight in comparison to some of the competitors products that have three times the THC levels. Retail costs on these sodas will be between $10 and $15 a 12 ounce bottle.

The products release is planned for February in Colorado available at medical marijuana friendly stores. They have plans to have this product available in California dispensaries by spring.

Riddlle's main concern is centered around a Bill in congress. Referred to as the "Brownie Law SB 285" which doubles the penalties for any person who produces a product that uses the combination of marijuana and a candy product or markets the product to minors. The bill has been sponsored by Senator Dianne Fienstein, it had passed the Senate last summer is currently in the House. If it should be passed it will impose a threat on medical edibles meaning food products which contain THC.

Business persons who work in the medical field are faced with unimaginable challenges. Using marijuana is still illegal in federal law, even though numerous states have established their own laws in the medical usage of marijuana. Resulting from this law is the transportation of soda cannot be done across state lines. Cana Cola manufactured in California would have to be sold in that state. Along, with that rule the company must also obey a broad range of county and municipal laws regarding medical marijuana.

The supplier element is another issue altogether. Bottles, caps, shrink wrap labels which go on each product requires the company to notify the supplier of the nature of the product. Many suppliers have stopped short.

Riddell states that they do inform everyone what their product is. Not all suppliers will take the job. He does mention the fact if they were marketing things such as cigarettes, alcohol and Viagra, it would be perfectly alright. In the case of presumption that Cana Cola does become profitable selling to dispensaries, its business profile will have a dramatic change if marijuana should ever become legalized on a federal level, he highly doubts the giants of the food industry will engage head on right away in the market.

As far as Butler, his main reason for doing this is purely humanitarian. Butler just wishes to aide those in pain needing relief.
Sources:

Health Related Info

Mercury News