Table of Contents
- What are THC Drinks?
- THC Drinks vs Alcohol
- How are Cannabis Drinks Different from Edibles?
- How to Choose a THC Drink
- The Bottom Line
The so-called “ sober curious ” movement is all about cutting back on alcohol, or cutting it out completely. And as more people choose to forgo beer and booze, primarily for health reasons and the realization that they just don’t feel good when they drink, the interest in alcohol alternatives is growing.
Enter THC drinks, a new category in the cannabis space designed for relaxation and a good time, minus the hangover (and the regret). Infused with tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis, THC beverages have a lot going for them. This alcohol alternative tends to be lower in calories and sugar, with a gentler, more controlled experience designed for relaxation, not complete intoxication. And did we mention the "no-hangover" thing?
If you’re taking a break from alcohol and looking for an alternative to sipping on plain soda water, it’s normal to have questions about cannabis beverages. Read on for everything worth knowing about THC drinks, including what they are, how they compare to alcohol, and what to keep in mind as you weigh your options for a good time.
What are THC drinks?
The clue is in the name—these drinks have THC in them. Whether it’s tea, lemonade, soda, seltzer, or even coffee, a THC drink always contains THC. Ingredients and THC content vary from one to the next, but overall, THC drinks are designed primarily for relaxation (though that depends on potency), and they appeal to folks looking for a safer, healthier alternative to alcohol.
As a psychoactive compound, THC can lead to psychological and physiological effects when it’s consumed. The most well-known effect is a sense of euphoria, or the signature “high” we tend to associate with cannabis. You might feel happy, bordering on silly, and deeply relaxed. Stress relief and mental clarity are also typical. If this is the feeling you’re going for, a THC drink can deliver.
How are cannabis drinks different from edibles?
A cannabis edible describes a food infused with THC, like gummies or a cookie. But a THC drink, no surprise, is in liquid form. The bigger differences between cannabis drinks and edibles lie in their onset and duration of effects, how quickly they’re metabolized, and how they taste.
When you eat a traditional cannabis edible like a THC gummy, the effects take time to become noticeable. You can blame that on the digestive process. The THC in an edible is absorbed in the stomach and intestines before being metabolized in the liver (where it’s converted into a new, more potent compound, called 11-hydroxy-THC). The process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or longer before you experience any effects.
This delay is why some people run into trouble with overconsuming edibles. Instead of waiting long enough to notice effects, people often go back for more too soon. It can set you up for trouble, since most unpleasant experiences with edibles relate to ingesting too much THC.
Keep in mind that effects from edibles, while slow to kick in, also tend to last much longer, often between four and eight hours, depending on dosage and your personal experience with THC.
THC drinks are different. Liquids are typically absorbed more quickly than solids in the digestive system to begin with, because they move through the stomach and into the intestines faster. What’s more, many THC drinks use a special kind of formulation, like emulsifiers or nanotechnology, that promotes faster absorption by dissolving the THC into the liquid. It’s not uncommon to notice effects 15 to 30 minutes after sipping on a THC drink or seltzer. That quick onset also means that overconsumption is less likely, as you notice the effects much faster.
Effects are pretty long-lasting as well—though not quite as lengthy as those from cannabis edibles—and usually in the neighborhood of three to six hours. The exact timeline is related to the amount of THC your drink contains and how efficiently you metabolize this compound. In low-potency THC beverages, between 2.5mg and 5mg, effects are a little more short lived—between two and four hours.
Another big difference between THC drinks and edibles is how they taste. Cannabis drinks like THC seltzers are generally pretty darn refreshing, without the telltale hint of cannabis itself. That’s another trick of the formulation process, which creates a more subtle cannabis flavor that can be hidden with sweeteners.
Many edibles, on the other hand, tend to have a pretty strong marijuana flavor. It relates to how the hemp extract is mixed into the food. Of course, some brands do this better than others!
THC drinks vs alcohol
THC drinks and alcohol alike can change your mood, your perceptions, and your behavior. But they do so in very different ways.
Effects & Risks
We’ve already covered the fast-acting effects of a THC beverage. Alcohol, however, tends to produce effects even faster, in the range of 10 to 15 minutes. In low amounts—when you’re firmly in “buzz” territory—alcohol produces similar feelings of euphoria. But alcohol also affects your motor skills, which is why you end up slurring and unsteady on your feet (and why driving under the influence is so dangerous).
The duration of effects from THC drinks and seltzers, especially low-dose options, is generally comparable to those of alcohol, but it depends on how much you drink. Heavy drinking leads to prolonged effects and a much greater likelihood of a hangover the next day as your body works to recover.
One of the most significant risk factors of alcohol is impaired judgment. Many people drink alcohol to loosen up and feel less inhibited. But because the effects of alcohol intensify so quickly, it can—and often does—lead to risky behavior.
Health Considerations
The idea that alcohol has any health benefits has been thoroughly debunked (yes, even red wine ). Any potential for a positive impact on your health is outweighed by the proven health risks associated even with moderate drinking, like the higher risks of cancer and mental health issues.
As anyone who’s ever had a hangover may tell you, the pounding headache, roiling stomach, dehydration, and flat-out exhaustion you feel the day after drinking is one of the biggest short-term drawbacks to a night of drinking.
Legal & Social Factors
In our society and around the world, alcohol is widely accepted. It’s baked into our concept of socializing—how many parties, barbeques, and sporting events have you been to where alcohol isn’t served?
But as the sober-curious and Cali-sober movements grow, the drinking culture may be losing appeal. And as the legal landscape changes across the United States and the cultural perception about cannabis continues to shift, THC drinks are gaining traction.
The 2018 Farm Bill was a game-changer for cannabis products in the US. It removed hemp from the federal government’s list of controlled substances and legalized its production, sale, and transportation across state lines. Hemp-derived products with a THC content of 0.3% or less became legal, giving rise to products like THC gummies and, yes, THC drinks and seltzers.
Of course, there are numerous variables at the state level. In states with legal medical or recreational marijuana, THC drinks may be available for purchase at licensed dispensaries to adults over the age of 21. It’s essential to check local laws to understand what is legal in your state.
How to choose a THC drink
While you undoubtedly have options when it comes to legal THC drinks and seltzers, it’s a good idea to be choosy. Think about why you’re considering a THC drink to begin with—is it a conscious health choice as you look for alcohol alternatives? A way to unwind without the hangover? Being mindful of your goals can help steer you toward a THC drink that does the trick, so here’s what to keep in mind.
THC content
The golden rule of cannabis consumption is to start low and go slow. If you’re new to THC, or just new to THC drinks, begin with a beverage that has a low to moderate dose, up to 5 milligrams. That gives you a chance to assess how it affects you.
Check the label to ensure you understand the amount of THC a particular drink contains and what you can expect from a single beverage versus two or three.
Some THC drinks are made with synthetic THC in the form of delta-8 . While this cannabinoid is produced naturally in the cannabis plant, it’s in exceedingly small amounts. That’s why delta-8 products on the market use a synthetic version.
While delta-8 is known for a milder effect—hence the nickname “diet weed”—the production process is intense and can leave a finished product that’s high in chemicals, solvents, and impurities. And because the delta-8 market isn’t well-regulated, potency and quality variations are common from one brand to the next. The biggest issue, however, relates to safety concerns, which is why you’re better off with a THC drink made from a reputable brand with delta-9 THC and third-party lab tests to back it up.
Ingredients
While you’re scanning the label, take a gander at the ingredient list. Many THC drinks are loaded with artificial flavors and preservatives for flavor, which makes them a glorified, infused version of soda pop. Luckily, there are THC drinks made with all-natural ingredients—you just need to know where to find them.
Consider flavor, too. You can find THC beverages that are fruity, herbal, or similar to soda. THC seltzers, in particular, are quite popular, for good reason. These bubbly beverages tend to be light and refreshing.
Nutritional considerations
One of the biggest pitfalls of THC drinks is the sugar content. Many options are surprisingly high in calories and sugar, which defeats the purpose if you’re making the switch from alcohol in the pursuit of something healthier. Pay attention to the nutritional details so you’re clear on what exactly you’re about to drink.
Brand reputation
As with any cannabis product, make sure you’re buying from a brand you trust. Clear labeling, transparency in everything from hemp source to production methods, and third-party testing all speak to a brand’s commitment to doing things the right way. There’s no need to compromise when it comes to a great THC drink—so don’t!
The bottom line
There's a lot to love about THC drinks. They're designed to be a refreshing alternative to alcohol and a healthier way to relax, without the adverse effects. With a bit of research, you can find a THC drink that ticks all the boxes for flavor, potency, and a great experience.