Cannabis is an industry rife for innovation, like ALT (but more on that in a minute.

After decades of toiling in secrecy, hiding their efforts from legal authorities, pot pioneers and pacesetters can finally reveal their advancements in cannabis. Of late, advances have come swiftly as entrepreneurs eagerly try to capitalize on the explosive cannabis market.

One of the most interesting evolutions in recent years is Advanced Liquid Technology, a cannabis brand that offers an incredibly unique product: liquid weed. Unlike oils, tinctures, teas and the like, ALT purports to offer a flavorless, odorless, colorless additive to any beverage, so users can discreetly dose on the go. ALT comes in a sleek package — a simple glass vial that fits in the pocket or purse — which looks equal parts luxurious and futuristic and has a price tag to match.

So, what is ALT? How is it made, and how do cannabis consumers use it? Most importantly of all: Is ALT worth it?

Cannabis is an industry rife for innovation. After decades of toiling in secrecy, hiding their efforts from legal authorities, pot pioneers and pacesetters can finally reveal their advancements in cannabis. Of late, advances have come swiftly as entrepreneurs eagerly try to capitalize on the explosive cannabis market. One of the most interesting evolutions in recent years is from ALT, or Advanced Liquid Technology, a cannabis brand that offers an incredibly unique product: liquid weed. Unlike oils, tinctures, teas and the like, ALT purports to offer a flavorless, odorless, colorless additive to any beverage, so users can discreetly dose on the go. ALT comes in a sleek package — a simple glass vial that fits in the pocket or purse — which looks equal parts luxurious and futuristic and has a price tag to match. So, what is ALT? How is it made, and how do cannabis consumers use it? Most importantly of all: Is ALT worth it?

How ALT Is Made

The people behind ALT are a bit secretive with regards to the exact methods behind their product manufacturing — which is to be expected considering how unique and potentially lucrative their creation is. However, there are a certain standard set of procedures for extracting and refining cannabinoids; it is safe to make some assumptions with regards to how ALT is made.

Most likely, ALT is produced through a process called CO2 extraction, which uses carbon dioxide in various phases — liquid, solid, gas — as well as pressure and temperature to separate desired cannabis compounds from those that are unwanted. CO2 extraction machines are complex and expensive, but they tend to produce a cleaner end product than solvents, which can add flavors, even toxic contaminants, to the extract.

CO2 Extraction

Even better, CO2 extraction is not particularly effective at extracting the fat-soluble substances within cannabis. For some manufacturers, this means that their extraction leaves valuable cannabinoids behind, but for ALT, this means that their end product is water-soluble, or capable of dissolving neatly and nicely into any beverage. What’s more, because ALT is purely a THC additive — meaning it doesn’t include any chemicals often extracted from cannabis — manufacturers can select a high-THC strain and run the extraction process until nothing but THC remains, so eking out those last cannabinoids and terpenes isn’t a concern.

CO2 extraction isn’t a new technology developed specifically for ALT. ALT might have a more intensive extraction process than other extracts or concentrates, which could increase the price — but likely, it is the novelty of the product and the branding that ups the cost for the end consumer.

How to Use ALT Correctly

Cannabis is an industry rife for innovation. After decades of toiling in secrecy, hiding their efforts from legal authorities, pot pioneers and pacesetters can finally reveal their advancements in cannabis. Of late, advances have come swiftly as entrepreneurs eagerly try to capitalize on the explosive cannabis market. One of the most interesting evolutions in recent years is from ALT, or Advanced Liquid Technology, a cannabis brand that offers an incredibly unique product: liquid weed. Unlike oils, tinctures, teas and the like, ALT purports to offer a flavorless, odorless, colorless additive to any beverage, so users can discreetly dose on the go. ALT comes in a sleek package — a simple glass vial that fits in the pocket or purse — which looks equal parts luxurious and futuristic and has a price tag to match. So, what is ALT? How is it made, and how do cannabis consumers use it? Most importantly of all: Is ALT worth it?There are plenty of cannabis products that are far from intuitive, but ALT is not one of them. Each vial of ALT contains 5 milligrams of THC in liquid form, with graduation on the side of the vial marking 1 milligram increments. The liquid can be mixed into any beverage, or it can be taken straight. Each package of ALT contains five vials, for a total of 25 milligrams of THC in each purchase. Because the product is so high in THC. It is only available in dispensaries; in places like Arkansas, West Memphis dispensaries might have little ALT

The makers of ALT contend that their product is ideal for those who are new to edibles because it allows for more accurate dosing and more immediate effects. However, unless ALT is held in the mouth, the THC will not be absorbed until it passes into the digestive system — which should be rather rapidly thanks to the liquid format. Even so, the digestive system isn’t terribly efficient at absorbing cannabinoids, so there is no guarantee that all 5 milligrams will make it into the bloodstream.

In The End… ALT

Is this Advanced Liquid Technology for liquid cannabis worthwhile? It depends. For those who feel uncomfortable using edibles for fear of overdosing on THC, and for those who don’t mind paying a premium for a convenient way to dose a beverage, ALT is a tidy solution. However, for the serious cannabis user, ALT’s novelty probably isn’t as expedient. Users who are accustomed to higher doses of THC might want to stick to other products, like high-THC strains of flower or concentrates. Still, ALT could be a conversation-starter in any stoner group.