Charlotte-made Italian Ice cools you off and gets you high
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios
A mom-and-pop-style frozen dessert shop in Cornelius has launched a line of New York-style Italian Ice infused with THC Delta-9 or CBD.
Why it matters: While cannabis is increasingly found in a variety of products, from seltzers to baked goods, Concetto's Italian Ice owner Amy Liu says her product offers something different: A discrete and refreshing way to consume THC or CBD — especially on a hot, summer day in North Carolina.
Made in Charlotte, Infused Ice CLT launched about a month ago. You can find them at several stores: Sweet Union Hemp Company in Monroe, Sip City in Plaza Midwood, Tip Top on The Plaza, Old Town Public House in Cornelius and Common Market.
- The five-ounce jars retail for around $10 to $12, depending on the store. Flavors so far are cherry, mango and lemon — some of the bestsellers in Liu's store.
How it works: The ices contain 25 milligrams of THC Delta-9 or CBD — a moderate dose for experienced users and a good option for newcomers to split with a friend or save in the freezer for later. It takes about an hour for the effects to kick in.
- "I always recommend for new users — just start slow," Liu says.
- CBD is known for its calming effects and easing anxiety and pain but it does not make you high.
- THC, marijuana's psychoactive component, is the one that will produce the "high" sensation.
Context: Liu opened Concetto's Italian Ice about a year ago, making the transition from her former job as an occupational hand therapist of 18 years.
- "I wanted to bring a bit of New York to here," she says."We have a ton of Italian ice stores where I grew up in Queens and Long Island."
- Around the same time the store opened, Liu says someone suggested she infuse her Italian ice. She began experimenting with different flavors, testing the potency and sending recipes for testing.
Zoom out: Although North Carolina is one of the few remaining states where marijuana is illegal, it has some of the most lenient regulations for products extracted from hemp.
- Liu's product complies with the 2018 Farm Bill, which declassified hemp as a controlled substance so long as it contains less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC. North Carolina updated its laws in 2022 to align with the federal regulation.
- Since then, intoxicating products have become increasingly available at North Carolina dispensaries, bars and breweries, bottle shops, and even pizzerias.
- State lawmakers are considering newly filed legislation to enact age restrictions, set dosage limits, require licenses for hemp manufacturers and mandate product testing.
What's next: Liu plans to roll out new flavors and dosages. She also hopes to offer her product in more local dispensaries soon.