Locals and visitors can now savour a cannabis-infused taste of Hawai’i.
Hawaiian Ethos, a licensed medical cannabis producer, has released the first legal cannabis infused chocolates on the Big Island of Hawai’i. Available in the company’s retail stores in Kona, Hilo and Waimea, the new Kokoleka chocolates are the island’s first edibles released under new regulatory rules allowing licensed dispensaries to manufacture cannabis-infused beverages, baked goods and other edible product formats in the state of Hawai’i.
Starting from organic fair-trade cacao, Hawaiian Ethos chocolates are infused with premium ice water hash rosin made from fresh frozen whole flower, sun grown locally at their low impact production facility in Kamuela, the company said in a press release.
“Cannabis-infused chocolates and other edible formats have been available in other states for years, and Hawaiian Ethos is excited to finally offer our premium products under the state’s new rules,” said Chris Whidden, the company’s vice president, marketing.
Later this year, the company plans to release a variety of creative new flavours using local, island-sourced ingredients and flagship cannabis strains, including a no-sugar-added option for medical cannabis patients sensitive to sweets.
The company says that in addition to the medicinal benefits of cannabis, dark chocolate boasts nutrients that can offer health benefits.
To reduce the impact of plastic waste on the island, Kokoleka chocolates are packaged in 100 per cent backyard compostable PHA containers, which return to the soil completely in as little as 16 months.
All Hawaiian Ethos products are sun-grown on the Big Island, solventless, and packaged responsibly in recyclable, reusable or compostable containers, the company says.