By Yvonne Milosevic
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed that the movement to legalize recreational cannabis has wafted over much of North America. If you’re more than a little curious about the proliferation of CBD and cannabis-infused products that have flooded the marketplace, the upcoming holidays are a perfect excuse to grab some of these treats for yourself or someone you love. Let’s look at the most booming categories in this arena—and see if you can’t check off a few people from your gift list this season.
For the sweet tooth
Those pot brownies you smuggled into your college dorm have received a serious upgrade over the last few years. Now, dozens of legit companies offer cannabis-infused gourmet chocolates, gummies, cookies, and yes, brownies, too. According to a report by ArcView, the edibles sector in the U.S. and Canada could be worth more than $4.1 billion by 2022.
Earlier this year, Forbes dished on the tastiest cannabis chocolates on the market. And if candy is more your thing, Brittney Sanger at Herb can’t stop swooning over THC gummies. “Of all edibles, I find that weed gummies taste the best, Sanger writes. “For an edible not to have high hints of pot is rare, and thankfully you’d never know the best THC gummies contain any weed at all.”
It’s not all sugar highs for THC snacking fans. Savory snack fiends can check out Kush Nuts, a blend of cashews and almonds infused with premium quality cannabis.
If you’re in the mood for a new twist on a seasonal favorite, Kiva Confections‘ enhanced cocoa 2.0 might be just the ticket. Like a weighted blanket of deliciousness, Kiva’s new, premium drinking chocolate promises to wrap you in warmth and relaxation. An added bonus? Their hot chocolate uses fast-acting THC blended with decadent cocoa, making it mighty nice with just a hint of naughty.
For the World Cup soccer fan
We’re still gaga over Megan Rapinoe’s performance at the Women’s World Cup this summer. We’d bet that a few people on your gift list might be as well. This fall, Rapinoe’s twin sister Rachael launched the CBD startup Mendi Co and Megan signed on as an official sponsored athlete.
The soccer MVP says she has used CBD as an integral tool in her training and recovery program for the past few years. Last month, Megan told The Boston Globe she’s hoping to de-stigmatize CBD products in the eyes of sports fans and consumers, so they become acceptable pain relief alternatives.
“I think that there are a lot of athletes very curious about CBD — I think generally as an athlete, you’re looking at the next piece of technology, whether it’s a wearable, how you can recover better or just what you can do to get that edge,” Rapinoe told the Globe. “I think the shift for athletes has been towards more natural products and products that have a more holistic approach, so CBD falls right into that.”
For the beauty junkie
If you or someone you love has an obsession with skincare, there’s no shortage of new and established brands on the market touting the benefits of their hemp and CBD-infused products. Anti-aging products with CBD are all the rage for their alleged ability to banish dark spots and improve skin’s overall appearance.
For anyone still suffering from occasional zits (ugh), a 2014 study found that CBD helped suppress acne breakouts by regulating oil production and lowering skin inflammation, obstetrician-gynecologist Anita Sadaty, MD, explains in this article exploring skincare uses for CBD. “Topical CBD is also great for skin rashes, eczema, and psoriasis,” Sadaty notes.
You can find PopSugar’s recommended CBD-infused beauty products at Sephora. For a budget buy, shop e.l.f. cosmetics’ brand-new hemp-derived sativa collection. Feeling extra spendy this holiday season? Tony department stores such as Nieman Marcus and Barneys New York also carry luxe CBD beauty products online and in select stores.
For the Furbabies
Need a stocking stuffer for the doggo in your life? More and more people are turning to CBD and cannabis products to help their pets deal with a host of physical and emotional issues. Think chronic pain, nausea, inflammation, poor appetite, aggression, and anxiety.
Analysts project pet and animal CBD product sales could reach $125 million by 2022. If your pupper turns up his snout at the idea of accepting a dose of CBD oil on the tongue or mixed in with food, edible treats are the next best thing. You can choose from an array of tasty options, from biscuits to jerkys to chews.
Dr. Erin Chu, a veterinary geneticist at Embark Veterinary, weighs in on how much CBD you should give your dog in Canine Journal. “Not all CBD treats are created equal,” Chu cautions. “Do your own research as well before you choose a brand–try to find one that states its quality control and assurance measures. Even better, find one that veterinarians recommend!”
