Wayland Woman Launches Line Of Cannabis Drinks For The Canna-Curious

WAYLAND, MA — Starting a company that makes cannabis-infused beverages in a town that has banned recreational cannabis companies might sound counterintuitive, but that's part of the mission behind Kelia: let people enjoy cannabis without controversy.

Wayland resident Sarah Patel founded the cannabis beverage company in 2022. She got the idea after ceasing cannabis use during pregnancy after years of heavy use — which she often felt judged for.

After she stopped breastfeeding, Patel began using cannabis again, and felt a sense of relief. Her anxiety dropped and she felt more relaxed. She sought to bottle that feeling, offering a cannabis product without the Cheech-and-Chong stigma.

After a walk one day, Patel came home and told her husband about her idea to start a line of cannabis beverages.

"My husband was like, 'No you're not.' And I said, 'No, I am,'" Patel said.

Kelia will officially launch on Thursday when Patel picks up the first batch of drinks from a manufacturer in Easthampton. From there, she'll let cannabis companies sample the drinks to get them on store shelves.

Starting a cannabis beverage company wasn't easy, and Patel had no prior experience in the industry. Patel's husband works in drug development in the pharmaceutical industry, and was able to lend some expertise navigating the beverage industry. It took about a year of planning and groundwork, including flying to Los Angeles to design the flavors and ingredients.

Apart from the social aspect of the products, Patel wanted the drinks to offer wellness benefits alongside the signature ingredient. The company will offer three beverages to start: watermelon coconut featuring electrolytes; a pineapple jalapeño flavor with vitamins and zinc; and a grapefruit ginger flavor with fiber and prebiotics.

The former two flavors will have 5 milligrams of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, while the grapefruit ginger will have 2-1/2 milligrams for consumers who want a lighter experience. The drinks will also use non-psychoactive cannabis compounds like CBG and THCv, which is thought to have a stimulating effect.

The drinks are also non-carbonated and can be resealed — like a bottle of wine — for use later on.

"It's something that you can take your time with," she said.

Patel said operating from a base in a cannabis-free town like Wayland has been fine, with friends more supportive than not. She wants consumers, especially women, to feel good about trying or continuing to use cannabis, and deriving positive benefits from it.

"A lot more people use cannabis than are out talking about it," she said. "Having me out talking about is perhaps refreshing for some people, especially women who are interested in trying it."