Did you know that Gen Z women are the fastest growing consumers of legal weed? Yes, times are changing. The future of cannabis is female! 

Evidence suggests that male and female responses to acute cannabis effects may differ, including subjective drug effects and behavioral effects.  We are seeing trends mirroring this - cannabis products are being made with lower dosing, lab-tested ingredients, and added functional ingredients to better your experience, which bear clear labels you can read! The marketplace now has regulated, safer, easier-to-use products, and female consumers in particular are appreciating this new, evolved approach to cannabis use, which offers them the exact experience they want! 

We wanted to find out more, so we caught up with Olivia and Rachel, the creators of sweedies, which are not only the newest functional edible fruit snack, but one of the only edibles Jena, our founder, LOVES. Both veterans of the beauty industry, it was during COVID that Olivia and Rachel began discussing how the cannabis industry was so obviously missing what they themselves loved about the beauty industry: optionality, beautiful branding, and wellness-oriented products. They noticed how much the industry was dominated by high-THC, masculine brands, so they started dreaming up sweedies as the much-needed answer to fill this niche. Their mission with sweedies is to enhance the everyday with products that promote connection, presence, and laughs.

We asked them how sweedies differ from other edibles on the market, and touched on the use of adaptogens and other essential nutrients, and how those can make your cannabis experience SO much better. We also chatted about the difference between an edible high vs smoking, and why edibles take the crown here. 

What was the inspiration around the creation of sweedies? We’d love you to share your background story on these incredible adult fruit snacks. 

We knew that edibles were the preferred consumption method for women and new cannabis users but many had reported having a horrific edible experience. So we created sweedies as the answer to what was still missing in the space - a product on a par with the functional, healthy treats we get at Erewhon. We wanted the entire experience to feel completely controlled, predictable, and indulgent. Our first product, Mood Rings, is a first-of-its-kind “fruit snack” format edible. Each pouch is a 45-calorie treat of 10 raspberry, lychee and strawberry gummies, infused with a total of 5mg THC + 5mg CBD plus a dose of adaptogen schisandra, vitamins B5 and B6, and L-theanine for a mood-enhancing effect. They are refined-sugar-free, low-calorie, snackable, and fast-acting.

What makes you guys different from what's already on the market? 

This is truly the first fruit snack format edible. Designed from start to finish as snackable and indulgent! What’s the point in a gummy tasting amazing if you’re only having half or a quarter of it?! We really wanted to be sure our customer could feel confident sitting back and enjoying a pouch of sweedies while watching Netflix, without worrying about dosage. There are also very, very few refined-sugar-free and vitamin-enhanced options on the market. We even developed the active stack with an ex-Moon Juice formulator! We wanted to be sure the supplements in our product were present in the right dosage, and would work synergistically with the cannabinoids.

What are adaptogens and how do they work in this product? 

Adaptogens are plants and mushrooms that help your body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue, and promote overall well-being. They have been used for centuries by herbalists and in traditional Chinese medicine. Schisandra is the adaptogen in Mood Rings; it is an antioxidant-rich berry and adaptogenic herb used to support sustained energy and the body's stress response.

How can the other ingredients found in sweedies help us with our stress response and overall health? 

L-theanine is an amino acid that supports calm, focus and relaxation without drowsiness. And vitamin B5 and B6 aid in mood and stress regulation. One pouch, or serving, of Mood Rings contains a total of 5mg THC and 5mg CBD. Add all this together and it results in a very mellow and balanced buzz. Rather than cane sugar, we use allulose in our gummies. Allulose is a naturally occurring sugar found in figs and raisins, which provides a subtle sweetness, has no impact on blood glucose levels, and contains 10% of the calories of table sugar. So there’s no blood sugar spike!

What are the benefits of consuming infused edibles? 

When you smoke cannabis, it gets into your bloodstream pretty quickly through your lungs. But when you eat edibles, traditionally the effects take longer to kick in - usually 30 minutes to two hours, because the active compounds have to go through your digestive system first. We use a nanoemulsion, a type of cannabis product that can be absorbed by your body much faster than traditional edibles. In a nanoemulsion, the THC molecules are broken down into really tiny droplets that your body can easily absorb and process, leading to a quicker onset of effects (usually around 10-15 minutes). 

This means a few things:

• edibles can be a much healthier option (no inhaling smoke - yay!)
• a nanoemulsion means a much better ability to control your dose - you feel the effects in 15 minutes, so no "wait and see" period
• inconspicuous consumption - no smoke or smell means you can enjoy them without drawing attention

How do the effects induced by edibles compare to those caused by smoking

We were super focused on ensuring that, beyond the product tasting amazing and using the best ingredients, our customer could trust their experience with us! This informed our decision to develop a mood-enhancing active stack, to use a nanoemulsion for a quick onset period, and to land on a total serving dose of 5mg THC and 5mg CBD. One pouch of Mood Rings will produce a mellow, giggly effect. If you are super new to cannabis, start with half of a pouch! So many people love to enjoy a pouch over time for an even more mellow effect over the course of a night. Compared with smoking, it is a more even-keeled buzz. 

How can we start to change the stigma around consuming cannabis? Where do you see this trend going, and what would you like to see more of in the industry? 

Edibles, in the right dose, and in moderation, are an amazing way to connect, engage, tune-in, giggle, be present, and unwind - without a hangover the next day. There are so many incredible applications, from people dealing with chronic pain and illness to people looking to cut back on alcohol. We think that removing the stigma means working towards federal legalization and, secondly, putting brands and products out there that cater to underserved markets and redefine the experience.

Where can we find you guys? Are you online and instore? 

Right now we are available at MedMen Abbot Kinney, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Torrey Pines. More to come very soon!

What’s your top advice to other female entrepreneurs out there wanting to pursue their dreams? 

We are still so early on in building what we envision for sweedies, but our best advice is to just take the next step - keep pulling the thread, digging into your curiosities, and taking the next best action towards your goals. So much learning and growth can happen along the way, and big achievements are realized when approached with small actions, consistently.