Featured image for Aluminum Can Liners Harshing Cannabis Drinks' Mellow

Aluminum Can Liners Harshing Cannabis Drinks' Mellow

by Rudy Sanchez on 02/26/2020 | 2 Minute Read

Cannabinoid-infused drinks promise to grab consumers looking to catch an alcohol-free buzz, as is the case with THC-containing beverages, or even those wanting to unwind and relax with a CBD liquid concoction. 

Unfortunately, canna-drinks may have suffered a setback in becoming a prominent alternative to beer, which is causing a literal buzzkill for makers of THC and CBD drinks.

As discovered and disclosed by Canadian cannabis firm Canopy Growth, the liners that act as a barrier between aluminum cans and their contents are attracting the droplets containing the active ingredients.”

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“Our theory is the cannabis material, the droplets, will stick to the liner and cling on it. When you open the can to take a drink, it will lose its potency,” Vertosa founder and chief science officer Harold Han said in an interview with Yahoo Finance Canada. Dr. Han and his firm Vertosa work with cannabis companies in developing “nanoemulsions,” special mixtures that allow cannabis compounds which are not water-soluble to get suspended in drinks.

Lagunitas, makers of Hi-Fi Hops, also found that the liners used in their products were exhibiting the same condition, and changed to glass bottles, although they told Yahoo Finance Canada that the switch was due to bottling speeds.

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The discovery comes as a blow to Canopy, as they are also an investor in Constellation Brands, a significant alcohol beverage conglomerate that created a lot of fanfare over their line of canna-drinks which were poised to debut as “legal 2.0” took effect, allowing firms to sell marijuana products such as edibles and infused beverages. 

Canopy had previously announced a delay without offering many specifics but has now admitted problems with consistent manufacturing at scale, which includes the party-pooper can liners.