Keef Original Cola

The Great Recession of 2007–2009 became the point of origin for Keef Original Cola, as the economic downturn severely affected the construction business in which Erik Knutson and his brothers were working in Boulder, Colorado. The collapse of the housing market disrupted the family’s operations and prompted the Knutson brothers to look for opportunities outside the construction sector. Erik Knutson’s long-standing personal interest in cannabis led them to turn toward the emerging legal cannabis industry.

The group applied for one of the first cannabis business licenses issued in Boulder and initially operated a dispensary retailing products from other manufacturers. During this phase, they identified a lack of cannabis-infused beverages within the edibles category. This gap led to the founding of Keef Brands in 2010 and, in the same year, to the launch of Keef Original Cola alongside other soft drink flavors including orange, grape, and root beer. Over the years, Keef has expanded beyond cola into other beverage types such as energy drinks, seltzers, mocktails, and functional beverages.

Due to differing cannabis regulations across the United States, Keef Sodas are available only in selected states, with THC content adjusted to meet local requirements. The standard formulation contains 10 mg of Delta-9 THC per can, while other regulated versions contain 5 mg, 25 mg, or 100 mg of THC. The 100 mg variant is marketed under the name Keef Xtreme. Keef Brands has also expanded distribution beyond the United States, including exports to Canada and Jamaica.

Keef Original Cola is caffeine-free and gluten-free and contains 9.6 g of sugar per 100 ml.