You may have been strolling the aisles of your local Total Wine and noticed the new green “THC INFUSED” endcaps or scrolling social media only to find an ad pop up promising you a social buzz without the accompanying hangover. THC beverages are popping up every and you may be curious about what the buzz is on these new drinks, and why they are becoming so popular.

What Are THC Beverages?

THC beverages are drinks infused with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis. Cannabinoids are compounds found within the cannabis plant. You’ve probably heard of several of them, including THC and CBD. Most beverages on the market today contain delta-9 THC, though several brands contain other cannabinoids.

Unlike gummies or smokables, THC beverages offer a unique and convenient way to consume THC that is attractive to social drinkers and new users alike. THC beverages are available in various forms, including seltzers, mocktails, coffees, flavored waters and more, and they can be purchased online across the United States and in traditional wine, beer, and spirits stores. You can even order a variety of THC beverages for home delivery through Total Wine.

If a THC beverage contains more than 0.3% THC by dry weight, it can only be sold in a state dispensary. The THC beverages you see on the shelves today are made from THC from hemp, which was legalized in the 2018 Farm Bill.

Why We Love THC Beverages

We have a lot of reasons for loving the category, but here are our top three:

1. Discretion: THC beverages offer a discreet way to consume THC. Because they resemble regular drinks or canned alcoholic drinks, it is easy to consume them in a social setting without drawing the same attention that lighting up a blunt in public might draw in certain places.
2. Rapid Onset: THC beverages use nano emulsion. Nano emulsion is a fancy way to say science figured out a fast-acting absorption method for your body. Because of federal law, most THC beverages sold today are low dose (typically around 5-10 MGs). Due to the nano emulsion, you might feel effects from the drink as early as 5-10 minutes in. 
3. Hangover Avoidance: We’ve all been there. It’s the day after a binger; you’re feeling like death and cursing bad decisions from the night before. While we can’t promise lack of bad decisions as a side effect, THC beverages do not dehydrate your body as alcohol does.

Ready for the High?

To borrow an oft-used industry term, “start low, go slow.” Inexperienced users should always start with a lower milligram offering. Drink a bit and see how you feel. After one serving, typically a standard 12 ounce can, wait at least 30 minutes to an hour before having another one. Cannabis metabolizes differently for everyone so going low and slow is important for your introduction to THC beverages.