Marijuana, New York’s hottest seller, is moving from mellow to amorous on its path to becoming a go-to love drug.
Cannabis products are being infused with aphrodisiacs that could be a boon in bed — and even on the competitive sports field, New York state regulators analyzing the legal market and product development say.
“There’s a huge evolution in the cannabis market. It’s giving consumers better choices about the experiences they want,” said John Kagia, policy director for the state Office of Cannabis Management, told The Post.
“Cannabis infused with aphrodisiacs is one of the categories where there is huge innovation. People want to improve their sexual experience “
The Union Square Travel Agency in the East Village is selling 20 dark chocolate “Love Beans for Arousal” made with cannabis and five “exotic herbs renowned for their love-enhancing properties” to “increase sensuality.”
The company 1906 makes the love bean.
“Fast-acting onset within 20 minutes,” the Union Square Travel Agency website boasts.
The cost: $35
Aside from cannabis and chocolate and vanilla extract and coffee beans, ingredients include muira puama extract, catuaba extract, theobromine, damiana extract, sunflower oil, and ashwagandha organic extract.
The company claims its “Love” cannabis beans, pills and gems are made with the “first aphrodisiac that was designed to be equal opportunity and works consistently well on all genders.”
“Love was thoughtfully created to target modern life’s common obstacles to great sex; it’s not just our bodies that have trouble getting in the mood, but our brains as well,” the pitch added. “That’s why Love is formulated for both a physical and psychological high, working to increase blood flow to the pelvic area and boost sensation while also helping you relax and get out of your head.”
Kagia said it’s only a matter of time before cannabis-infused sexual enhancing gels and lubricants hit the New York market.
And a firm called Foria makes gels and lubricants with Cannabidiol or CBD, a compound found in marijuana, for women.
“Our formulas support transformational life experiences, with the most innovative, clean, and effective ingredients available. The sexual needs of women have been overlooked and under-addressed for too long. We’re working to change that story every day,” the company said.
Marijuana is also being used to improve athletic performance, fitness, health and wellness and mental alertness, Kagia said.
“It’s what’s called the runner’s high’. There’s a subculture of runners smoking marijuana before running a marathon. It’s the ability to get in the zone’ faster and longer,” he said.
According to Kagia, one triathlete he knows ingests cannabis gummies or vapes THC to improve his focus during the swimming event.
The Office of Cannabis Management conducted an analysis of the type of cannabis consumers bought during the first few months a handful of weed dispensaries were operating, finding that natural grass is most popular, accounting for half of all sales.
Loose flowered marijuana accounted for 37% of sales, while pre-rolled flowered joints accounted for 14% — or 51% combined.
Vapes and concentrates made up 29% of sales and edibles 20% of the market.
“Many people were surprised at the quality of the flower made in New York,” Kagia said.
Gummies are the biggest seller in the edible market.
Kagia expects the market to diversify and grow with a greater variety of beverages as well as gummies and vegan products entering the market.
New York’s budding legalized marijuana market has struggled with a slow and chaotic rollout. While more than 200 licenses have been issued, only ten dispensaries have actually opened while New York City officials say as many as 1,500 unauthorized stores are illegally selling weed.
Gov. Kathy Hochul and the legislature strengthen the law to boost enforcement against illicit sales as part of the recently approved state budget.
Marijuana farmers have complained they have been left twisting in the wind because they can’t sell their flowered product.