I say let the world go to hell, but I should always have my tea.
These are the words that once flowed from the tortured mind of Fyodor Dostoyevsky onto the pages of his existentialist novella, Notes from Underground. Although I’ve taken many trips down the long dark tunnels of Dostoyevsky’s world, imbibing on such classics as Crime and Punishment and The Idiot, it’s that quote from Notes from Underground that has always resonated with me.
There really is something to be said about the medicinal, and almost spiritual, effects of a good cup of tea.
Whether its the sustained boost of energy and focus from an earthy-flavored Matcha or the calming, somewhat sedative effects of fresh chamomile (which I’m actually fortunate enough to grow here in North Country), a good cup of tea can really make everything alright—even when it sometimes seems the world is going to hell.
The Joy Of Tea, The Joy Of Cannabis
In many ways, cannabis and tea are very similar.
Whether it’s the ability to calm the mind, enhance focus or provide very real medicinal benefits, tea and cannabis truly are gifts from God. And I treat both with the respect and admiration they deserve. This means, I only purchase and consume tea and cannabis that is grown and produced in a sustainable, socially-responsible manner.
So you can imagine my excitement when I stumbled upon a company that actually does both.
It’s called Kikoko, and the folks running this operation have managed to combine the joy of tea and the joy of cannabis in a sustainable, socially-responsible and absolutely delicious way.
Sourcing only organically grown teas, herbs and flowers, Kikoko has developed a line of cannabis-infused teas that will knock your socks off.
Formulated to deliver reliable combinations and doses of THC, CBD and CBN, Kikoko’s cannabis-infused teas are designed to target specific health and wellness results. This is not an edible I would recommend if you’re just looking to get blasted out of your mind. This is more of an edible for those looking for a more evolved experience that will also deliver some pretty impressive health and wellness benefits.
Kikoko currently has four cannabis-infused teas on the market:
- Positivi-Tea (10 mg THC, 5 mg CBD)—Formulated to improve mood and relieve stress. It will deliver a nice buzz but will not get you blasted.
- Tranquili-Tea (3 mg THC, 5 mg CBN)—Formulated for folks who need a little help falling asleep and staying asleep. Unless you have a very low tolerance, this one won’t get you high, but it’ll help calm your mind and allow you to enjoy a solid night’s sleep… without feeling groggy or tired when you wake up.
- Sympa-Tea (3 mg THC, 20 mg CBD)—Formulated for pain, muscle cramping and anxiety. This one is not likely to get you high, but it will help alleviate some anxiety and help with focus.
- Sensuali-Tea (7 mg THC)—Formulated to increase sexual desire and the effects of orgasm.
The Motivation For Kikoko
Although I’m not the only man who enjoys Kikoko, it’s clear that Kikoko was initially designed to cater toward women, as is suggested in this explanation of how the company began. Check it out…
WHY THE HELL DID TWO MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN START A CANNABIS TEA COMPANY?
For a very good—and personal—reason. Like so many people these days, we had a friend with cancer. She was using cannabis for pain, appetite and nausea, but didn’t like to smoke and found herself getting crazy high from edibles. At the same time, we noticed we had dozens of other friends who relied on pharmaceuticals to help with sleep, anxiety, pain and mood, causing deleterious side effects like amnesia, addiction and brain fog.
In 2014, we began experimenting with cannabis edibles and discovered that our friend Jan was right: most were male-focused, way too high in THC, offered little instruction on use, tasted nasty and were often paired with fat—e.g., chocolate bars and brownies. However, when dosed correctly, we found that cannabis did in fact relieve pain, improve mood, induce sleep, and increase libido and sexual satisfaction. The stuff worked. So here we are, two-and-a-half years later, with an all-organic, low-dose, cannabis-infused herbal tea line for women.
We chose tea because it’s discrete, healthy and we love the history involving the women’s suffragette movement, which was fomented in tea rooms. In honor of our friends and the millions of women of all ages who suffer from any of the above maladies, we raise a cup of Kikoko, designed to improve life just that little bit more.
An honorable cause, to be sure.
Kikoko’s founders, Jen Chapin and Amanda Jones, have also taken this honorable cause a step further by donating five percent of profits to provide cannabis medicine to children with seizure disorders. As well, they co-founded an organization that puts girls through law school in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which, according to the UN, is the world’s most violent place for women.
This, dear reader, is the kind of company that we, as cannabis consumers, should support. Not just because Kikoko has delivered a quality product for us to enjoy, but because the company is being run by folks that are doing their part to make the world a better place.
If you’re a fan of quality edibles, do yourself a favor and try a cup of this magical cannabis-infused tea. Kikoko is available in California at both dispensaries and through delivery. You can also try Kikoko at one of the company’s high tea parties, which are held throughout the year. You can read more about Kikoko, and get on a list for Kikoko’s tea parties here.
