THC Beverages Are On The Rise—What Experts Want You To Know

I never thought I'd see the day when cocktails were on their way out and mocktails were on their way in. But with so many people cutting back on their alcohol consumption, paired with the legalization of marijuana in many states, it makes sense. In fact, those who consume cannabis daily or near daily now exceed the number of daily or near daily drinkers.

With the rise in cannabis consumption in all forms, and most notably in beverages, it's important to know just how these drinks will affect you—and what regulations companies have to follow to ensure your safety. After all, one man's "unencumbered and happy" is another's "I can no longer use my arms and legs."

First, a little context: Thanks to the Farm Bill, which passed in 2018, commercial production of hemp became legal, allowing hemp-derived cannabinoids (like Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC, but more on that later) to be infused into products. "This created an entirely new category of cannabis consumption, enabling innovative teams to develop unique beverage formulations with precise, controlled dosages," explains Dr. Malik Appleton, PharmD MDA and Director of Regulatory Compliance for The Hi Collection.

While technically legal in 39 out of 50 states for medical use and 24 states for recreational use, some states do have added restrictions and regulations for hemp, so before purchasing or consuming, it's best to check in your area on the exact regulations. Many locations have a max dosage of THC per serving, too, typically around 5-10 mg.

Delish spoke to experts in the field (literally, they work in marijuana fields) to get to the bottom of everything you need to know about cannabis drinks. From their strength and effects to their destigmatization and potential benefits, we've infused ourselves with deeper knowledge about what these canned "cocktails" really contain. THC-infused beverages are a top-trending item that you can now find in many a fridge; here's what you need to know before you pop one open.

The short answer here is yes! Jake Bullock, co-founder and CEO of Cann, says the industry is highly regulated. Currently, there are two different ways that manufacturers can sell their products: through the cannabis market, which is state regulated, or the hemp market, which is not as heavily monitored due to its very low amounts of THC.

Aaron Nosbisch, founder of Brez, explains that when producers sell in a state cannabis market, they need to manufacture their products in every state that they retail in because they are not legally allowed to ship across state lines. That's because regulation varies state-by-state—for example, states like Connecticut and Iowa have implemented strict product registration and age-gating requirements for intoxicating hemp sales. Retailers are "subject to a lot of strict regulations that make it hard to reach consumers," Nosbisch says.

The Farm Bill allows for brands to extract THC (the psychoactive compound of marijuana) and CBD (the non-psychoactive compound) from hemp that has less than 0.3% THC. This means that these popular THC beverages should be below that amount by weight, meaning that the majority of the products you'll find will contain 10 mg THC or below.

However, because the industry is still relatively new, regulation is still murky for many markets, cautions Dr. Appleton. "Some brands are well-tested and transparent, while others operate in legal loopholes with little oversight," he says. Nosbisch notes that while most offerings stay in the 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg "reasonable range, there are hemp-derived THC drinks out there that have up to 100 mg of THC." So, it's important to do your research before grabbing a can.

Bertini recommends checking the lab tests on any given brand's website. "Any legit THC beverage should have a Certificate of Analysis (COA), which proves that what's on the label is actually in the drink," he says. "If a brand isn't showing lab results, that is a huge red flag. Always look for third-party testing to ensure that you are drinking something safe and reliable."

Just like your favorite beers, THC drinks range in strength. Jim Higdon, co-founder and CCO of Cornbread Hemp, explains that you'll find beverages that solely contain THC and others that contain a mix of THC and CBD. Plus, these can all contain differing ratios, affecting the way they influence you.

"The easiest way to understand the variety of THC beverages is by comparing them to alcohol," notes Josh Bertini, co-founder and Head of Growth at Indacloud. "You have everything from light, easy sippers like a Radler all the way to your grandpa's moonshine. Those same strengths and intensities can be found in the THC beverage world."

Dr. Appleton explains that you can find everything from microdoses—1-2 mg—for a subtle effect, to mid-range doses—5-10 mg—that feel like a milder high, to high doses that are over 10 mg and deliver a strong cannabis high. Standard doses in drinks right now are 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 1o mg, Nosbisch tells us. "Other than their huge range of strengths, THC beverages also differ in cannabinoids, the natural compounds in the plant that interact with your body and produce the different effects such as relaxation, euphoria, focus, etc.," Bertini tells us. These cannabinoids often include CBD, which helps with relaxation and reducing inflammation, as well as CBN, which can help contribute to a deeper sleep.

Options of course, vary from brand to brand—for example, Cann has multiple offerings. Its traditional Canns contain 2 mg THC and 4 mg CBD, while its Hi Boys contain 5 mg THC and 10 mg CBD. It also has a lighter option: its Lo Boys, which only have 1 mg THC and 15 mg CBD.

Hi Seltzers, on the other hand, solely contain 5 mg of Delta-9 THC, while Brez's offerings include a single, which contains 2.5 mg THC, 5 mg CBD, and 1600 mg Lion's Mane (a mushroom known to improve mood and alleviate stress); a double, which contains 5 mg THC, 10 mg CBD, and 2200 mg Lion's Mane; and finally, Flow, which solely contains 2200 mg Lion's Mane.

"Like alcohol, everyone's tolerance for THC can be different," explains Bullock. Off the bat, it's important to know that THC beverages are not the same as edibles, which can sometimes take an hour or more to kick in. New, fast-acting THC beverages that use nano-emulsion technology start working in anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. This makes a big difference if you're trying to time your experience. Plus, "this makes the effects more predictable and easier to control," notes Higdon.

Obviously, the effects range depending on how high or low your dose is and if there are any other cannabinoids in your drink. "Lower amounts provide a light, social buzz, while higher doses can lead to stronger psychoactive effects," Higdon continues.

If you're looking to recreate that classic cannabis high, a Delta-9 THC beverage is your best bet. This will be "stronger, more euphoric, and sometimes heavier on the body," Bertini explains. "A Delta-8 drink, on the other hand, is smoother and more chill, which is ideal for a functional buzz." These drinks are often compared to alcohol, but the silver lining here is that "instead of a foggy or impaired feeling, they offer more of a clear-headed euphoria," Higdon notes.

However, even though THC drinks are safe and a good alcohol alternative, they don't come without a warning. "While you can't fatally overdose on THC, drinking too much can lead to unwanted side effects like paranoia, nausea, or dizziness," explains Dr. Appleton. "People who are sensitive to THC, have certain medical conditions, [are] pregnant or nursing, or take specific medications should consult a doctor first." It will take some finessing and trial and error to figure out how your body reacts and what dose is right for you.

The CDC further warns consumers that cannabis use can lead to negative health consequences. For example, heavy use can damage memory, attention, and learning ability, and use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may harm the baby. Additionally, cannabis use has also been linked to depression, social anxiety, suicide, and schizophrenia. However, the FDA notes that, "Information from adverse event reports regarding cannabis use is extremely limited."

"If you’re just dipping your toes in, something between 3-10 mg THC is a solid place to start—think of it like having a beer or a glass of wine," says Bertini. And just like with alcohol, everyone reacts differently to THC and has a different tolerance level. "We recommend you start with one [drink] and wait to feel its effects before going in for another," says Bullock. "It is important to start slow and low and listen to your body. It can take 10-15 minutes for the effects to kick in, and you can expect it to last for about an hour, which may vary based on the drinker’s tolerance, just like with alcohol."

For a person more experienced with THC, you can go for something 10 mg+ for a stronger high without going overboard, explains Bertini. Anything 50+ mg is for the experienced crew that really knows what they're doing, he tells us. "You’re going on a trip. Buckle up."

Luckily, because of its fast-acting properties, you can easily dial up or dial down your experience based on how you're feeling, explains Nosbisch, and the effects last around 45 minutes to an hour.

Aside from the differing ranges of THC content and other cannabinoids, cannabis drinks also differ in flavor, sugar content, and ingredients. Some brands load their offerings with artificial flavors and sweeteners, while others are sugar-free and use natural ingredients, so always check the labels and go for whatever works and tastes best to you.

Dr. Appleton also cautions consumers to be mindful of where you store your beverages. "Since they often resemble regular drinks, it's important to keep them away from kids and pets," he tells us.

Lastly, even though THC beverages are legal in many states, there are still laws in place that prevent you from consuming them in public and driving after imbibing, so always check your local laws. Additionally, for anyone subject to drug screening, keep in mind that common drug tests cannot distinguish between hemp-derived cannabinoids and traditional THC.

With all of the innovation and brands currently on the market, it's always good to know all the facts before you reach for a can.