(NaturalNews) The latest java trend is coffee meets cannabis. The most recent buzz is a cannabis-infused beverage going mainstream. Mirth Provisions, a company based in Washington State, is launching a new and innovative line of cannabis-infused (extract), cold-brewed coffee under the "Legal" label, which underscores the fact that their cannabis-spiked coffee will be marketed exclusively in states where marijuana is legal.

Currently, only Colorado and Washington State have legalized recreational marijuana, although medical marijuana is legal in 22 states and decriminalized in approximately 20. How much will a bottle cost? Here's the rub. Estimates are that an 11.5-ounce bottle will cost somewhere between $9 and $11. Definitely not for those on a budget.

Mirth was created by Adam Stites, 34, a former e-commerce firm manager turned entrepreneur. The expected "Legal" roll-out (minus glitches) is July 2014.

Consumers can either choose "Legal" straight-up, cold-brew coffee with cannabis or opt for the works: coffee with cannabis, cream and sugar. Still, there may be one legal drawback: Drinking "Legal" and driving may be against the law.

Legal's details

In case you're wondering, each bottle contains about 20 milligrams of THC. As far as THC dosages go, 20 milligrams is considered on the low side. Typically, cannabis-infused "medibles" contain a tenth of a gram, or 100 milligrams, or more of THC per serving.

But Stites feels that the THC level is just right for his customer base. He quipped, "I'm 6ft 4in and 205 pounds, and 20mg is sufficient for me, especially when it's brewed with coffee."

According to Fox News, "Stites told My Northwest that each bottle will contain about 20 milligrams of THC, enough to create 'an alert, creative, high,' but not too much as to make it an unpleasant experience, 'especially for people that are just getting into marijuana.'"

Stites also told My Northwest that his cannabis coffee drink is "the wake and bake drink."

Coffee is just the beginning. Stites intends to extend his quirky offerings by eventually introducing sparkling, cannabis-infused sodas in assorted fruit flavors like trendy pomegranate and lemon ginger.

Nothing new under the sun

In the West, the practice of combining cannabis and coffee historically originated from the cafes and coffee houses of Europe. A favored haunt of prominent French artists and writers was the "infamous Club des Hachichins (Club of the Hashish-Eaters) in the mid-1800s," High Times reported.

These infamous, rather bohemian, gatherings were laced with philosophical talks lasting into the wee hours, with bottomless cups of coffee served with crumbled hashish.

The custom of mixing coffee and cannabis is still popular in select circles. Savvy cannabis and coffee drinkers have described the effect created by this dynamic duo as "an alert but relaxed state conducive to creative work."

Even today, comedians like Rob Cantrell make jokes about "waking and baking" with coffee and weed, also known as a "Hippie Speedball."

Unfortunately, "Legal" doesn't measure up health-wise. Except for the cannabis, none of the ingredients are organic. The coffee, sugar and cream options all contain a dollop of white sugar that could be GMO. White sugar is not a good choice under any circumstances. The sweetened coffee beverage may contain rBGH-laced, factory-farmed cream.

Also, it's fairly common knowledge that non-organic coffee beans are heavily sprayed with pesticides. Sure, non-organic "homegrown" cannabis will deliver the buzz, but will it deliver the full array of scientifically proven cannabis and coffee health benefits?

Perhaps cannabis aficionados will forgo health concerns for a caffeine buzz and a mildly euphoric high. The good news is that medical marijuana patients are increasingly demanding organic marijuana over cheaper, conventionally grown weed.

According to a survey of marijuana patients by editors of Medical Marijuana Journal Business Daily, 43% of medical marijuana patients in California, Washington and Colorado say organic cannabis meds are critical.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.foxnews.com

http://www.dailymail.co.uk

http://www.mrsc.org

http://www.hightimes.com

http://www.huffingtonpost.com

http://www.tokeofthetown.com

http://mynorthwest.com