By Allessandra Inzinna
The pandemic ended about five years ago. As it faded, the effects of watching a virus rampage communities left an indelible scar. Health consciousness has invaded the collective psyche. Ipsos reported that 62 percent of Americans believe that their health is more important to them now than before the pandemic.
The market has changed. There’s gut-healthy soda, sugar-free candy, and a new health powder on shelves every other week. The cannabis industry has changed as well.
While some are completely satisfied with their joints, bongs and cannabis-infused gummies, others want something that aligns more with their health goals.
Lisa Hurwitz has a solution. As co-founder and CEO of Happi, a cannabis-infused beverage company, Hurwitz has made something for every occasion. The citrusy Glow, perfect for downward dogging away the stress of the day. Dance, the mango and sweet basil flavor, is the perfect can to try not to spill when the beat drops. Nightcap, an aptly named Turkish apple tea-inspired drink, will lull you to sleep with no next-day grogginess.
Hurwitz made Happi for women like herself. Almost a decade ago, she found herself relying on Ambien for sleep until a friend from California recommended cannabis. She took a hit from his vape pen and promptly knocked out. She tried weed once more and slept all through the night, again and again. But as a woman who pays attention to what she puts in her body, she searched for plant-based and nutritional options for consuming cannabis. She found very little.
“In the cannabis category, but also in the alcohol category, there’s a very bro culture, which can be off-putting to a lot of women, like beer and hops and golf,” Hurwitz said. “Just stuff that doesn’t feel like my space. I really was hoping with Happi that we could create a space where women of all shapes, sizes, ages, and ethnicities could find their Happi in our lineup.”
Hurwitz is a lover of all the benefits of cannabis but health-conscious enough to want an alternative to inhalation and sugar-filled edibles. Utilizing the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp production and sale at or below .3 percent THC volume of the product, Hurwitz crafted drinks with healthy ingredients that interact for the desired effect. Glow contains Lion’s Mane mushroom for stress relief, Dance contains ginseng and THCV for an uplifting mood, and Nightcap features reishi mushrooms and the cannabinoid CBN—helpful for relaxation. All can help put on a light buzz without the guilt.
Hurwitz also imagined more ritual in her brand. Cracking open a cold one with the girls, sipping and settling in. Instead of popping an edible in two seconds flat and waiting 45 minutes for something to happen, a Happi sends you wherever you want to go in 15-20 minutes.
“I really wanted a drink and a way to enjoy cannabis that felt in line with my lifestyle, that felt like it could seamlessly fit into hanging out after work or with friends on a weekend or just a night in front of Netflix,” Hurwitz said.
Happi beverages come in three different dosage levels. The perfect canna-newbie drink would be the 2.5 mg delta-9 THC Lemon Elderflower, for people who like to bunt instead of swing. For something stronger, there’s Happi-er beverages with 5 mg of THC and Happi-est with 10 mg of THC.
“I hope women can discover that moment to breathe, that moment for themselves, that moment of joy or happiness, and be able to do it in a way that’s also still healthy for them.”
