KEY Investment Partners Acquires BellRock Brands’ Portfolio, Home of Mary’s Medicinals, Dixie and Other Top Names

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Through the hard work and dedication of our team, we are continuing to produce Dixie products in all states where we operate. In many cases, they can be purchased from the same dispensaries found on our store locator. However, we recommend that you contact your preferred retailer ahead of time to ask them about their social distancing policies and if they are offering delivery or curbside pickup. 

We are grateful to have this opportunity to continue providing cannabis to the millions of Americans seeking relief. This would not be possible without the many legislatures, across the nation, that have recognized the vital role cannabis plays in our lives and in our society – and for that, we are grateful. 

The FDA recently stated, “We are not aware of any reports at this time of human illnesses that suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging,” and we continue to follow the FDA Good Manufacturing Practices while taking additional measures to keep our team, our retail partners, and our customers safe. At our facilities across the nation, Dixie has made significant changes to combat the spread of the virus including:

• Increased already strict sanitation efforts in all areas of our facilities
• All staff is required to work from home if they are able to do so
• We have halted all employee travel
• All facilities have refrained from allowing visitors into our buildings
• Our staff is on high alert for contagious symptoms from co-workers and encouraged to stay home as needed
• All staff is required to follow social distancing best practices 
• Working with retailers to support and accommodate their special needs

We will continue to follow these guidelines in the coming weeks and our COVID-19 task force will continue to meet on a daily basis to update these policies as needed. 

Although we currently face challenging times, the resiliency of our community is something that makes our industry so special. The future is bright and by banding together in these times of uncertainty, we will come out even stronger on the other side.

If you don’t know which of the 5 love languages you or your partner is, you can have them take this quiz.

1. Words of Affirmation

People with the ‘Words of Affirmation’ love language feel the most loved when love is expressed through words. Beyond the frequent “I love you,” they want to hear all the reasons why. They appreciate compliments like, “you look really nice today,” and love when you express appreciation for something they did with a quick, “thanks for making the coffee this morning.”

If your lover’s love language is ‘Words of Affirmation,’ then you’re already a pro at giving compliments and telling them how awesome they are (hopefully, anyway). But for a day like Valentine’s day, an “I love you because you’re awesome,” isn’t going to cut it. Our suggestion? Take an Orange Awakening Mint or two, to help you get in a creative headspace and write a heartfelt love letter. 

2. Acts of Service

People with the ‘Acts of Service’ love language feel deeply loved when their significant other does thoughtful things for them. It’s about doing anything that will ease their burden of responsibility. They appreciate nothing more than you unexpectedly taking out the trash, with the intention of removing that burden from them, so they can relax. If this is your lover, then we’ve got some ideas for you. 

The first idea is to draw them a bath, or put on their favorite movie or video game. Meanwhile, you head to the kitchen to make your loved one dinner. Top it off with an unexpected dessert, like this Chocolate Lava Mug Cake, made with Straight Up Milk Chocolate, that’s sure to warm their hearts. 

Tip: Why not mix up a Winter Warmer (Hot Toddy) for your partner to enjoy while they relax. A little bit of THC can’t hurt when it comes to eating dinner either…they’ll think you’re as good of a chef as Julia Child.

Our second idea is perfect for the ‘Acts of Service’ lover that’s also a lover of surprises. Go home early (without them knowing), take a Citrus Blast Gummy, and get cleaning! Surprise your loved one by having all the chores done by the time he or she gets home for an unexpected and thoughtful surprise.

3. Receiving Gifts

People with the ‘Receiving Gifts’ love language believe that actions speak louder than words. What they appreciate more than anything is the love, thoughtfulness, and effort that goes into finding the perfect gift, and giving it to them in a special way. 

If receiving gifts is your partner’s thing, then there are a couple of ways to incorporate cannabis into your love life. One, of course, is gifting cannabis (if you live in a state in which recreational use is legal). THC-infused chocolate is a popular and widely-loved Valentine’s Day treat. Other edibles make great gifts too – would you like to get some Tarts for your sweetheart? If sweets aren’t your partner’s thing, then topicals, like bath soak and relief cream are good options.

Whatever you decide on, just make sure it’s thoughtful! If you’re having trouble thinking deep about what they might like, try finding inspiration from an edible, yourself. Cannabis can open up your mind to new perspectives and allows you to problem solve from different angles.

4. Quality Time

People with the ‘Quality Time’ love language feel the most loved when their significant other dedicates their undivided attention to them. This can be engaging in an activity together, or even just time devoted to communicating with your loved one with no distractions. This means no TV, no chores, and no phone during your quality time together.

If this is your significant other, and you’re a cannabis-loving couple, why not try using cannabis to dive a little deeper into the experience? While it would be misleading to claim that cannabis “makes everything better,” many cannabis consumers will tell you it deepens many experiences and connections, whether it be with nature, or your significant other. 

An activity you can enhance with cannabis is to create something together. Here are some ideas of DIY date night projects. While you work on your project, you can sip on a Fruit Punch Elixir mockail. Not only do you get the benefits of deepening the experience and connection between you and your partner, but many say cannabis also opens up and expands their creativity.

If creating isn’t your thing and you’re struggling for ‘quality time’ ideas, then you’re sure to find something in this list of 40 fun things for couples to do. 

5. Physical Touch

People with the ‘Physical Touch’ love language thrive on any form of physical touch, whether it be platonic or sexual. Holding their hand and giving them back rubs shows them that they are loved. But another important component, of course, is sexual intimacy.

It’s no secret that cannabis can enhance sex and increase sexual desire…and this is backed by science! With cannabis giving you heightened sensations, we’re not surprised by this. Why not try heightening the sensation for Valentine’s Day by nibbling on some Straight Up Dark Chocolate to set the mood. If you want to get extra romantic, you can take a hot bath filled with SYNERGY 1:1 Soak together.

1. Drink Less Alcohol

Along with losing weight and exercising more, cutting back on drinking is routinely a top New Year’s resolution. This year is no different. It might be more common because of the rise of the sober curious movement and the popular trend of ‘mindful drinking.’ The people participating aren’t just those that feel they have ‘a problem’ with drinking. It’s for anyone who wants to wake up without a hangover, and without any “I did WHATTTT…?” realizations the next morning.

It’s no secret that people are using cannabis as a replacement to alcohol to help them achieve their mindful drinking goals. Take Katie, for example, who describes her experience in the Buzzfeed article, “I Used To Be An Alcoholic. Now I’m A Stoner Who Has A Drink Sometimes.”

73% of cannabis users surveyed in this New Frontier Data report view cannabis as safer than alcohol. 65% prefer to consume cannabis over alcohol.

But for us (and many others), the experiential side of smoking cannabis is too far removed from that of mixing a cocktail and sipping on it with a group of friends. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons that cannabis drinks have become all the hype. The entire experience is more replacement-friendly, not just the effects, alone. Plus, if your friends want to continue drinking alcohol, you’ll want to feel like you can join in. This way, you can join in, just with a cannabis mocktail instead of a booze-filled cocktail.

Our favorite Dixie products for replacing with alcohol:

• Fruit Punch Elixir: Not only is it an award-winning cannabis drink, the fruity flavor is a great addition to many popular mocktail recipes.
• Berry Lemonade Elixir: Whether it’s a hot toddy with a berry twist or your favorite classic cocktail with a hint of lemonade, this Elixir goes well in almost any of the classics.

Elixirs come with a dosing cap, that’s similar to a shot glass, so you know exactly how much THC you’re adding to a drink.

2. Balance Your Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is relatively new and widely unknown…but it shouldn’t be. After all, it plays a significant role in helping our bodies achieve homeostasis. Think of your ECS as the foundational level of health for your body. If it’s out of balance, you’re likely to experience pain, inflammation, or feel “off” in some way. Luckily, there are things you can do to bring your ECS back into balance, including through the use of cannabis.

Balancing our ECS has to do with the process of producing the right amount (and the proper functioning) of endocannabinoids. It turns out, the plant versions of these, called phytocannabinoids (which include CBD and THC), can mimic or supplement the endocannabinoids found in humans.

If you want to nerd out about the ECS for 15 minutes (which we don’t blame you if you do), we highly recommend watching this TEDx Talks video by Dr. Rachel Knox – it’s awesome!

Screenshot from TEDx Talks about the “good” things for you ECS.

Our favorite Dixie products for ECS balance:

• SYNERGY 1:1 Cinnamon Dew Drops: Getting both CBD and THC is the way to go when it comes to your ECS, so this 1:1 ratio is a good option to make part of your daily wellness routine.
• SYNERGY 5:1 Cucumber Melon Mint Mints: The 5:1 ratio in these mints is also good, especially if you want to feel minimal to no psychoactive effects (each mint has 10 mg of CBD, but just 2 mg of THC). Not to mention, all Dixie mints are gluten free, vegan, sugar free, and contain no artificial coloring or flavoring – all good things for your ECS!

3. Practice Self-Care Daily

Self-care. It sounds like a buzzword or a fluff term, right? Sure it may be cliche, but practicing self-care has some pretty big life and health impacts. According to Forbes and Botanica, practicing self-care increases motivation and productivity levels, reduces stress and anxiety, increases energy levels, improves your relationship with yourself, and even strengthens your immune system. That’s a long list of benefits for something that takes just 10-20 minutes a day.

For you, self-care might mean waking up 15 minutes early to sit outside and sip on tea or taking a hot bath. It could also be walking around the block during lunch, meditating, or working on a creative project. Maybe we’re a little biased, but we think that pretty much all of those self-care activities can be amplified with cannabis.

Our favorite Dixie products for self-care:

• SYNERGY 1:1 Soak: A regular bath is nice and all, but have you tried taking a bath with SYNERGY Soak? Talk about deep relaxation! Your sore muscles will also thank you.
• Tropic Twist Gummies: If you can’t take a real vacation, then these gummies might just be your next best thing. Sit back, relax, pop a gummy and go Caribbean dreaming.

4. Relieve Aches and Pains (That Keep You From Doing the Things You Love)

While there are many wonderful things in life, pain is not one of them. Yet pain is an inevitable part of life and it very well may be something you’re experiencing right now. Perhaps your pain is the result of an injury, being sore after a long day of skiing, having menstrual cramps, chronic back pain, or pain from arthritis. Regardless of the cause of, or current state of your pain, it sucks to have to deal with. Not to mention it’s also likely keeping you from getting out and doing the things you love to do.

Luckily, many have found that cannabis helps their pain (no matter the frequency or intensity of the pain). According to a 2019 study, 80% of the people taking cannabis for pain found it to be very or extremely helpful, leading to 88% of people being able to stop taking opioid painkillers. No matter the frequency or intensity of pain you experience, there’s a cannabis product for you to try.

Our favorite Dixie products for pain relief:

• SYNERGY Relief and Heat Balms: Ideal for any targeted areas, such as joint or muscle stiffness. The Heat Balm is especially nice after a long day on the slopes!
• Medical Chocolate Bars – Orange Zest Milk Chocolate Bar and Peppermint Dark Chocolate Bar: 42 mg of THC per piece to deliver a strong, concentrated dose with long-lasting effects to medical patients, including those with chronic pain.

5. Get out in Nature

Now that you’ve relieved the pain that’s keeping you glued to the couch, you can get out and spend some time in the great outdoors! According to this Harvard Health Publishing article, getting out in and interacting with nature on a regular basis lowers blood pressure and the stress hormone, cortisol, which reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. Now aren’t those all great 2020 mental health goals?

How much nature time do you need? Dr. Strauss (from the same article) says 20-30 min, 3 days a week. The type of nature setting doesn’t really matter, so go wherever you can, even if it’s to a park in the middle of downtown.

If you consider yourself a ‘cannabis consumer,’ then you’re already ahead of the game! According to “Cannabis Consumers are Happy Campers” by BDS Analytics, in both Colorado and California, cannabis consumers say they enjoy outdoor recreation at a higher rate than those that ‘reject’ the use of cannabis. Perhaps these numbers are so high because, we, like many others, feel that taking an edible enhances our connection with nature and heightens the overall experience.

Our favorite products to take out in nature? 

• Tarts: An easy-to-pocket pack of the classic sweet and tart treat that won’t melt in the sun.
• Bursts Pulled Taffy: Individually wrapped taffies that are easy to take with you on the go.

6. Exercise Frequently

In short, “Everything improves with exercise,” says Christopher Berger, PhD, CSCS, an exercise physiologist and clinical assistant professor at Arizona State University, in Everyday Health. He wasn’t kidding! The list of benefits go on and on, but a few include: better sleep, digestion, sex, and stress management, reduced risk of anxiety, depression, cancer and stroke, better skin, improved memory function and maintenance of brain health.

So where does cannabis come into play? Turns out, cannabis consumers are quite active. A cannabis consumer report about the growing use of cannabis for health and wellness, reports that 78% of cannabis consumers exercise regularly. That’s a pretty high percentage considering many Americans don’t get enough exercise!

Perhaps cannabis consumers exercise more because it’s more fun to exercise with a little microdose…and easier for our muscles to recover afterward. In fact, there is research from the University of Colorado indicating that cannabis may increase the enjoyment of physical activity and help motivate users to exercise!

Our favorite Dixie product for exercise? 

• Orange Awakening Mints: At just 5 mg of THC per mint, they give you a great microdose for minimal psychoactive effects that bolsters rest, relaxation, and recovery.

7. Get Your 7-9 Hours of Sleep Each Night

We’re not sure too many people would say they wouldn’t like more sleep…I mean, everyone loves sleep, right? Maybe we’re made to love it so much because it plays such a major role in our daily functioning and lifelong health. We hit up Schooled By Science to learn more about what not getting enough sleep does to you, and in contrast, the benefits of getting ENOUGH sleep (7-9 hours for adults) are. Did you know that a lack of sleep impedes our ability to recognize social cues, thus impacting our ability to interact socially? It also weakens our immune systems – you’re 3 times more likely to get a cold if you don’t get enough sleep! The good news is that if you ARE getting enough sleep, you’re more likely to stay at a healthy weight and even live longer! Despite the importance of sleep, only 1 in 3 Americans get enough of it, which is why we’re all grateful to have found cannabis.

Tips for getting enough sleep: don’t eat a big meal before bed, ban electronics from the bedroom, and sleep in a dark, cool, and quiet environment. Your routine is also important. Try to do the same, relaxing activity before bed each night, as well as go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

In addition to these tips, cannabis is also widely reported to help with sleep. In most of the surveys and reports we’ve seen, sleep is one of the most common reasons people use cannabis and it’s widely reported that cannabis is a huge help when it comes to sleeping. This recent survey is just one example, in which 84% found cannabis to be extremely helpful for promoting sleep.

Our favorite Dixie products for sleep? 

• Half and Half Elixir: Make a Winter Warmer Hot Toddy (recipe on page 2) to sip on while you do your routine relaxing ritual before bed.
• Straight Up Milk Chocolate: There’s nothing quite like ending the day the right way – with a little treat for yourself! Feeling a craving for a full-on dessert? Add it to a Chocolate Lava Mug Cake that’s ready in under 5 minutes.

8. Eat Dark Chocolate Daily

We clearly saved the best for last, and no, this health goal is not a joke. If sticking with New Year’s resolutions isn’t your thing, then this should be a good option for you!

It turns out that there are actually many health benefits attributed to eating dark chocolate with 70% or more cacao (as long as you’re not eating more than an ounce per day). A few of those include improved heart health, mood, digestion, and it helps keep your skin looking youthful and glowing! If you’re disappointed by this list of benefits, not to worry, there’s so many we couldn’t list them all, but you can read more in “8 Healthy Reasons to Eat Dark Chocolate.”

You might be wondering, “Okay, so… what does this have to do with cannabis?” Well, we’re here to remind you that there are dark chocolate edibles out there. Just be sure you check the label for 70% cacao because just because it’s called ‘dark chocolate’ doesn’t mean it’s made with 70% cacao.

Our favorite Dixie products for eating dark chocolate? 

• Straight Up Dark Chocolate:  Made with 70% cacao for the health benefits associated with dark chocolate, plus it’s vegan!
• Peppermint Dark Chocolate: Yes, it’s got the added ‘bite’ of peppermint, but it’s still 70% cacao!

Made With: Straight Up Milk Chocolate

Servings: 2 (or use just half the ingredients for one)

THC per serving: 16 mg THC (or for 8 mg, use just one square of Dixie chocolate and 1 regular)

Prep Time: 5 min

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons butter

¼ cup bittersweet chocolate chips

¼ cup sugar

2 eggs

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon espresso powder

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

4 squares Dixie Straight-up Milk Chocolate

Step 1

Microwave butter and chocolate chips, stirring occasionally until melted, about 1 minute.

Step 2

Whisk in sugar, eggs, cocoa powder, vanilla, espresso powder and salt.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder.

Step 4

Whisk flour mixture into chocolate mixture until combined. Divide batter between two coffee cups.

Step 5

Microwave for 30 seconds; stir mixture. Microwave an additional 45 to 60 seconds or until cake is starting to set but top is still moist.

Step 6

Press two pieces of Dixie Straight-Up Milk Chocolate into the center of each cake. Microwave 30 seconds or until cake is set. Let stand for a few minutes, then dig in!

Amanda Lang

Laboratory Manager

To think about what I am thankful for this year isn’t as difficult as I originally thought. It’s good to take time and put things into perspective every now and then. Especially during these holiday seasons, with a new year approaching and another year in the books. 

Sometimes, I wonder why I am not where I thought I would be in life. But life doesn’t always go as planned, sometimes we encounter struggles and hardships that ultimately teach us something new and force us to grow stronger. I feel like I have had a lot of “growing stronger” moments in my life. But those experiences made me who I am today and I am thankful for that. 

I am thankful for my drive to fight, my discipline, my determination and for that, I owe my parents. I am very thankful for my supportive family, I don’t know where I would be without them. My family includes my dog Layla, she is hiking buddy and always ready to explore with me. I am so happy I gifted myself with her for my 30th birthday 3 years ago! 

I’m so grateful that I live in such a beautiful place surrounded by mountains and nature. Thankful for my adventurous soul, my willingness to get my hands dirty and my desire to travel. Finding yourself and doing what makes you happy. Not caring what other people think of you. To being brave and following your heart, taking chances and standing up for yourself. 

I am most thankful for how far I have come.

Anthony Carroll-Martinez

Production Associate

First and foremost, I am thankful for the unconditional love and support that I receive every day from my family and my peers, regardless of the occasion, but also for being part of the future of cannabis. 

I’m fortunate enough to wake up every day and appreciate what I have and those who inspire me. I’m blessed to be able to produce records for and with the people that will make a difference in the future (even if it means sacrificing sleep and keeping my fiance up all night in the studio with lil doobie) and blessed to have the ability to shed light on what others may not see, especially if it pertains to cannabis. 

I am thankful for all the knowledge and guidance that I have obtained in my life, for being able to make something out of nothing, and making things count when it matters in the end.

#StayRezquizit

#StayYou,

Chubz

Chris Moder

Product Development Specialist

I’m grateful for being able to help build the ship and watch it sail. Grateful for the opportunities and inspiration that both Dixie and the industry has provided me over the years. 

Something I take for granted is sometimes I forget the size of the impact that medical and recreational legalization has had, and the historical significance it carries.

DJ Sachs

Vault Tech

This year, I am most grateful for my wife and three children and the love and support they give me! Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today. They drive me to do the best I can each day so that I can provide for them in the best way possible. 

My wife supports me in my work in the cannabis industry along with my music career outside of Dixie! Without her having my back I don’t know where I would be today. She is the constant motivation and drive I need to make it through each day! 

My children are the biggest fans of my music and push me to show them the core values they need to be successful in life. With that the biggest thanks I can give is to them for giving me the drive to work hard for each one of them each and every day!

Doug Ball

Quality Assurance Tech

It’s been a great year!  Family and Friends are what I’m most thankful for this year. It’s been especially great working with everyone at Dixie. We have a great Quality-Packaging team and have accomplished numerous undertakings, including a few production and sales records. 

Going forward, things look bright and exciting and I can hardly wait to embark on the challenges that lie ahead. It’s going to be great!

Irene Torres

Quality Assurance Manager

What I am most thankful for this year is being able to marry my loving and supportive husband, and my “furbabies.”

What I am grateful for here at Dixie is having an amazing manager (compliance director) who challenges and guides me every day. My manager influences me to do the best job that I can. Brian has created an environment where I feel empowered to make a change on my own and to improve product, process, and procedures. My manager allows me to have open communication that is honest and direct, resulting in me feeling like I am heard. I am also grateful for my amazing Quality control team. They have overpowered every single challenge that has been thrown at them this year. They continue to grow and become a stronger team every day.

According to The San Francisco Chronicle article, “Will Infused Drinks Change How We Consume Cannabis?”, we can only expect this trend to grow. ‘“I believe infused drinks are the future of cannabis consumption,” said Jamie Evans of San Francisco, who promotes food and beverage events under The Herb Somm. “Our society already loves and understands drinks, making infused beverages the best solution for social consumption. Lighting up a joint in public is still frowned upon, so people would rather sip than smoke their cannabis in public.”’

But beyond it being easier to sip on cannabis than smoke a joint, there are many other reasons that people are loving cannabevs. Here are some of those reasons. 

No Equipment Necessary = They’re Easy

Unlike smoking and vaping, you don’t need any extra accessories or equipment for a cannabis beverage. Because convenience is everything in today’s world, having to roll a blunt just to get your cannabis fix, is so not ideal. Nor do you want to have to pay for a vape pen or glass piece when you’re new to cannabis or not sure that you’ll use it enough. By not having any extra equipment, it’s also much more discrete and won’t stand out like smoking flower would.

Sipping on a Beverage is Normal = They’re Discrete

Society —literally worldwide—loves beverages of all sorts. They’re a completely normal part of our daily routines, from sipping on a warm cup of joe by morning to an iced cocktail by evening. Hence, it makes total sense that a cannabis drink would fit right into our usual routines of sipping on beverages. Whether you want to drink it straight, add some to a smoothie or pre-workout, or add “a shot” of Elixir to a mocktail, it’s discrete, and sipping on your infused beverage won’t cause anyone around you to think twice.

Step Aside Booze = They’re Trending

As cannabis legalization spreads across the country, more and more people openly talk about how they sometimes prefer to substitute an alcoholic drink for cannabis. According to a New Frontier Data report, 73% or of cannabis users who were surveyed view cannabis as safer than alcohol, and 65% prefer to consume cannabis over alcohol. Why? It’s an enjoyable and euphoric buzz, sans the hangover, and doesn’t leave you wondering what you did last night. What’s not to love about that?

While lighting a joint will get you the effects from cannabis, it’s not exactly a model substitute. For many, drinking a beer or cocktail is not just about the effects of the alcohol…it’s about the entire experience. There’s something special and ritualistic about mixing a cocktail to sip on as we listen to the crackle of a fire, lay by the pool, or enjoy dinner with our lover. With cannabis drinks, you still get that experience of the sipping as you savor the flavor and soak in your surroundings.

‘Tis the Season = They’re Sharable & Sociable

Especially around the holidays, we are reminded of how important it is to be with friends and loved ones. In our opinion, one of the best things about cannabis drinks is you can share that experience with others (well, in legal recreational markets, that is), just as you share that experience of drinking in a social or party setting, whether it be small and intimate, or big and social.

That’s one of the reasons we made the Dixie Elixir, the “original” party-sized, multi-serve cannabis beverage. We wanted to preserve the meaningful moments that come from a shared experience in social gatherings.

But it’s not just during Thanksgiving and Christmas that cannabis beverages are a hit. Turns out, not only are they great for holiday parties, and as gifts, they’re also an awesome way to ring in the New Year! According to “The Holiday High: A Look at Seasonal Trends in Cannabis,” a Headset report, people do increase their cannabev purchases during Thanksgiving and Christmas…but it’s on a whole other level for New Year’s, with a nearly 80% increase in cannabis beverage consumption. Bring on the celebration!

Holiday Recipes!

Which reminds us…with the holiday season right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to bring out the Elixirs to share at Friendsgiving, intimate dinner, or holiday party. Here are some special edition Elixir holiday mocktail recipes, for any festive occasion…even if that’s a cozy “me night” on the couch.

Lower Activation Time = They’re Faster

Edibles are notorious for requiring some patience before you will feel the effects. However, the effects are often longer-lasting, too. When it comes to cannabis drinks, you get the best of both worlds. For many, the activation time tends to be a little faster than traditional edibles, meanwhile the effects still last longer than smoking or vaping.

 

So when do you start to feel the effects? 

Similar to edibles, there’s no exact answer because it’s subjective and every individual is different. It depends on things like your metabolism, what you’ve eaten that day, your tolerance, and more. That said, our Elixirs, typically are felt in about 30 minutes, as opposed to 60 minutes (for your traditional edible).

 

This is because with beverages, we do absorb some of the THC through the lining in our mouth, which we feel a lot faster. Even the mere seconds you savor the flavor of an Elixir in your mouth will give you some oral-mucosal absorption.

Precise Dosing = They’re Personalized to Your Needs

Whether you’re new to cannabis, or well-seasoned, precise dosing is definitely an awesome benefit of cannabis drinks. Not only is it precise, but you can tailor your dose to meet your own, individual needs.

When you’re smoking or vaping, you don’t really know how much THC you’re actually getting. With a cannabis beverage, the package will tell you how many milligrams of THC are in a serving and what that serving amount is.

Photo: Inyo Las Vegas Dispensary

Elixirs are practically made for precise dosing. They come with a measuring dosage cap that’s marked to 6mg. If you’re new to cannabis, or want a microdose, then you can fill it just halfway to the serving line. This way you know exactly how much THC you’re getting for a more predictable experience.

They’re Yummy…Enough Said

Masking the flavor of cannabis oil can be a difficult task, and for many, it happens to be a flavor they’d prefer to be masked. In our opinion, and in the opinion of many others, this is another plus for cannabis drinks — they’re delicious! Which is also why we are proud that among all the cannabis drinks popping up out there, our Dixie Elixirs remain award-winning beverages, since we first started making them nearly a decade ago.

We’re committed to making this happen…but we didn’t say it was going to be easy! Sustainability, after all, is a worldwide challenge, but the level of this challenge is even greater for the cannabis industry. Before we dive into everything we’ve been working on over these last six months, it’s helpful to understand the confines of the cannabis industry that impact the ability of cannabis businesses to focus on sustainability.

Why Sustainability is Difficult to Achieve in the Cannabis Industry

This Forbes article states it simply and spot-on, “State regulations make it hard for cannabis companies to focus on sustainability.” As you may already know, there is a lot of material required to package any cannabis product. It needs to be child-resistant (which usually requires more material), have a ton of labeling, and in many cases, leaves the store with you in an exit bag. While these regulations are established for a reason — for the safety of consumers and children — unfortunately, they do make sustainability more of a challenge. It’s especially challenging considering regulations vary by state and can often change. This can mean that if you just ordered a large supply of packaging, and regulations change, you’ll need to adjust or completely re-do all the non-compliant packaging. See how this gets to be tough?

Being a nascent industry, we don’t yet have any clear rules for how to make things more sustainable. Because it’s such a new industry, we’re still trying to gather enough data that’s needed to develop a set of best practices that promote sustainability. 

But we’re trying to change that. It may be difficult, but that doesn’t stop us! At Dixie, we’re experimenting and analyzing how we can be more sustainable every day. Our hope is that this will start a wave of sustainability in the cannabis industry.

What We’re Doing to Become More Sustainable: It Starts With GO GREEN

Although we officially launched GO GREEN in April of 2019, our commitment to doing things right and being responsible in everything that we do goes all the way back to our inception in 2010.

Image from Instagram @jesaka_the_patient

Since day one, it’s been important to us to employ sustainable water practices. We also recycle all paper, plastic, boxes, and old machinery that we can. We work with Ecolab to pre-measure all of our ingredients so we don’t use more than what we need and we can ensure zero waste. Additionally, we utilize a sanitizing machine, to clean platewear and kitchen equipment in the facility, that uses 50% recycled water.

In 2015, we first addressed how we could become more sustainable with our packaging, which is a huge hurdle for the cannabis industry. We worked with TricorBraun to redesign our flagship Elixir bottle to be made of type 1 recyclable plastic.

These efforts continue as part of Dixie GO GREEN, and we’re excited about the waves we’ve been making in sustainability these last six months.

Colorado’s First Clean Green Certified Facility

As part of our GO GREEN initiative, we wanted to improve our facilities to be more sustainable by 2020. We’re thrilled to announce that our Denver HQ is officially the first Clean Green Certified facility in Colorado!

In case you’re not familiar, Clean Green Certified is the only nationally recognized third-party certification program for sustainable cannabis businesses. In order for a facility to become Clean Green Certified, it must meet a series of requirements, centered around sustainability. A facility is assessed for things such as the source of electricity, procedures for ensuring marketplace legality, the substances you use in your products, sanitization methods, staff training etc.  Dixie has received provisional certification for our Denver HQ and will look to incorporate Clean Green Certified oil into upcoming product categories in order to produce CGC products.

75% Reduced Waste!

Another GO GREEN goal we’ve been working towards is reducing packaging waste. In addition to doing a full-suite packaging audit, we’ve made a huge and impactful change with our gummies packaging. We’ll soon be making the switch from using plastic tubes for our gummies to using pouches that use 75% less plastic!

That’s something we’re very proud of, but it doesn’t stop there. Packaging will continue to be an important effort of our Dixie GO GREEN program and we’re making moves to create some pretty big environmentally-friendly transformations.

To help us achieve this we’re working with Sana Packaging to do a packaging audit across all Dixie products. The things that we are looking at include source material (virgin plastic or reused resins), ability to be recycled, reused or composted, and regulation and compliance. This will help us identify what we need to prioritize to help the environment!

Our end goal is to have all Dixie product packaging, meet Class One Recyclability standards within two years (within the confines of the industry, of course)!

It’s Also About Social Good

When we talk about sustainability, we often limit the conversation to environmental sustainability, however, the community is another important pillar of the conversation. That’s why as a part of GO GREEN, we strive to give back to our community as much as we can.

Every Thanksgiving, our team volunteers with Food Solutions 2 Inc to distribute Thanksgiving meals to those in need. Additionally, our team went to Civic Center Park in Denver on the hottest day of the summer, to pass out sandwiches and cold water. Check out some of the pics below!

Beyond what we’ve done, we’re committed to supporting community environmental efforts via brand-supported investments and volunteering. We’re committed to offering a 2 day/year/employee volunteer program (company paid leave). This way, not only can our brand give back to the community, but our entire team can give back in a way that’s meaningful to them.

The Future of GO GREEN

We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, but we also still have a lot that we’re committed to achieving. Going green will continue to be a priority as we break ground on a new Denver headquarters in 2020. Dixie is committed to:

• Recycling all recyclable items, such as boxes, aluminum cans, and paper
• Transitioning all light fixtures to LED
• Implementing low flow water valves
• Eliminating use of paper by adding things like hand air blowers to our facility
• Sourcing green cleaning chemicals
• Implementing energy-efficient refrigeration, cooking, and cooling devices
• Moving from a 7 day work week to a 6 day work week to cut energy usage
• Sourcing recycled ocean plastic as regulation and availability allows
• Providing a $500 annual credit to employees that have electric cars

Netflix & Chillin’

As the temperatures drop, the giant sweaters and cozy throws come out, transforming the couch into a cloud-like coziness we want to hibernate in forever. And this, ladies and gentlemen, also marks the beginning of the Netflix and Chills season! It goes without saying that Netflix and cannabis go together like chocolate and peanut butter…and can make for a cozy date night too.

What to Look for in a Product:

• Relaxing
• Enhances your activity of choice
• An indulgence to remember

If playing video games is your thing, then Dixie Gummies are a match made in heaven. If cozying up in the couch to a good book or movie is your kinda thing, then you may instead want to sip on a beverage, infused with an Elixir.  Remember, you can always use that Spooky Pomegranate Punch recipe! 

If the goal of your “me night” is to soothe the mind, body, and soul after a long day, or long week, then a hot bath might be more your thing. This time of year when the skies dim early, there’s nothing like stepping into a warm bath that smells of cedarwood and lavender. SYNERGY 1:1 Soak has a perfect blend of CBD and THC to ease the stress and tension away from the changing seasons.

 

Tip! As the weather changes, aches and pains worsen, and your skin gets especially dry. Try using SYNERGY Relief Balm for dry skin and SYNERGY Heat Balm to soothe tired muscles that have stiffened from cold weather.

 

Hitting Up the Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch

 

These are two classic fall activities that, let’s face it, are a lot more fun with edibles. That said, they are daytime activities and you may be in the company of family or a significant other. Therefore, you don’t want to get too blitzed…just enough to find the perfect pumpkin for the beautiful artwork you’ll soon carve into it. 

What to Look For in a Product:

• Good for daytime use
• Lower doses of THC
• CBD:THC ratios to make the THC less intense
• Good to take on the go

Before you head out for the eventful day, have a nice little caffeine boost from a classic fall favorite. We’re talking about a Pumpkin Spice Latte, of course! Only in this case, it’s infused with SYNERGY 1:1 Cinnamon or Vanilla Dew Drops. The 1:1 ratio will give you a nice, balanced feeling so you’re ready to take on any ol’ corn maze! 

View the SYNERGY & Spice Pumpkin Latte Full Recipe