Mike Tyson has got into the cannabis industry in a truly bizarre way. The former heavyweight champion is going to be manufacturing cannabis beverages using a new 3D-printing technology called Smart Cups.
If that sounds confusing, it's because it is. But, in a nutshell, Smart Cups are bioplastic cups that have dried substance — cannabis, or otherwise — printed onto the bottom of the vessel. From there, it's a just-add-water situation.
Chris Kanik, the founder of Smart Cups, explains it best.
"In this specific application, we use water-soluble cannabinoids and are able to precisely print them on virtually any surface," Kanik told Forbes. "The printed actives and flavors are released when they come in contact with a liquid (i.e., water, soda, or saliva)."
This method of delivery has the added benefit of accurate dosing, an issue that new and experienced cannabis users alike can struggle with.
"At the moment, the industry is lacking consistency," Kanik added. "When an individual consumes 100mg of aspirin, no matter where they are in the world, they are confident that they are consuming 100mg of aspirin. Smart Cups Technology can provide that same consumer confidence."
Tyson's cannabis company, the Tyson Ranch, has teamed up with Kanik to use this technology for his own new line of beverages.
"For the Ranch Companies, it is very exciting to be working with Smart Cups' technology, because it gives us the opportunity to make anything that is possible with this innovative tech," Tyson told Forbes. "Having the ability to produce lines of ingestible cannabis products that will have accurate and consistent doses of cannabis is incredibly important to us."
When Tyson's line is set to arrive — or if it will be shipped to Canada — remains unclear. But you can keep updated over at Tyson Ranch's official website.
Watch Smart Cups' product video below to better understand the process.
If that sounds confusing, it's because it is. But, in a nutshell, Smart Cups are bioplastic cups that have dried substance — cannabis, or otherwise — printed onto the bottom of the vessel. From there, it's a just-add-water situation.
Chris Kanik, the founder of Smart Cups, explains it best.
"In this specific application, we use water-soluble cannabinoids and are able to precisely print them on virtually any surface," Kanik told Forbes. "The printed actives and flavors are released when they come in contact with a liquid (i.e., water, soda, or saliva)."
This method of delivery has the added benefit of accurate dosing, an issue that new and experienced cannabis users alike can struggle with.
"At the moment, the industry is lacking consistency," Kanik added. "When an individual consumes 100mg of aspirin, no matter where they are in the world, they are confident that they are consuming 100mg of aspirin. Smart Cups Technology can provide that same consumer confidence."
Tyson's cannabis company, the Tyson Ranch, has teamed up with Kanik to use this technology for his own new line of beverages.
"For the Ranch Companies, it is very exciting to be working with Smart Cups' technology, because it gives us the opportunity to make anything that is possible with this innovative tech," Tyson told Forbes. "Having the ability to produce lines of ingestible cannabis products that will have accurate and consistent doses of cannabis is incredibly important to us."
When Tyson's line is set to arrive — or if it will be shipped to Canada — remains unclear. But you can keep updated over at Tyson Ranch's official website.
Watch Smart Cups' product video below to better understand the process.
