What You Need to Know About Cannabis-Infused Drinks: Are They Safe?

Some of the hottest new cannabis products on the market are cannabis-infused beverages – and with good reason! Like other types of foods infused with activated cannabis concentrates, cannabis drinks are considered to be a type of cannabis “edible” (despite the fact that technically, you drink them). Historically, infused drinks were always thought of as poor tasting, inconsistent in effects, and difficult to manufacture.

Luckily, the canna-boom has propelled the scientific work with weed drinks into new territories—and now, companies have cracked the secret of infusing cannabis into beverages. These infused drinks tend to be relatively simple and refreshing and are a perfect substitute for an alcoholic beverage.

There is a wide range of cannabis-infused beverages available today, including cannabis-infused sodas, sparkling waters, coffee, and even non-alcoholic beer and wine. With so many choices available, many people are becoming increasingly interested in drinking weed.

Cannabis-infused drinks have progressed by leaps and bounds in flavor and consistency over the last decade. As cannabis legalization sweeps the nation, many people looking for a simple and socially acceptable alternative to alcohol are turning to marijuana drinks. According to BDS Analytics, 20% of cannabis consumers are now consuming cannabis beverages in fully legal US markets to relax, feel peaceful and to have fun.

How Does it Differ from Smoking or an Edible?

Much like the traditional edible, if you drink your THC, you will likely not feel the effects as quickly as you would if you were to smoke or vape it. But, the effects from a THC drink will definitely last longer. When ingesting cannabis, the THC compound that produces the high effect needs to be metabolized in the liver before it reaches the brain, according to the National Library of Medicine. When smoking or vaping, this step is skipped, which is why you may feel high much quicker after hitting a joint or a vape.

However, drinking your THC will produce those intoxicating effects faster than eating a gummy or a laced brownie. This is because the cannabinoids in cannabis drinks are made with nanoemuslions which start being absorbed through the saliva as soon as they come in contact with the mouth. This expedites the onset of effects to occur in about 30 minutes or less. With edibles like cannabis-infused baked goods, gummies and chocolates, the food items need to be fully digested for absorption to begin, which is why it can take up to two hours to feel the full effect.

Unlike smoking cannabis or vaping, you do not need to step outside the party to enjoy your cannabis. With the best weed drinks, you can stay inside the party, join in the toasts, keep the conversations going and share in all the good times.

What Kind of Cannabis Drinks Are Available?

You can find cannabis drinks in a variety of styles, including beer, wine, soda, tea, coffee, kombucha, and water. Of course, the THC and CBD concentrations of the drinks vary based on the company and the product.

Cannabis-infused water: Available in the form of still or sparkling water.

Cannabis-infused sodas: Acidic carbonated drinks that contain emulsified cannabis.

Cannabis-infused tea: The most common type of cannabis-infused drink is tea made with cannabis leaves.

Cannabis-infused non-alcoholic beverages: Non-alcoholic beer, wine, or mocktails containing cannabis.

Cannabis-infused alcoholic beverages: Beer, wine, or cocktails infused with one or some cannabinoids from the cannabis plant.

Are There Any Benefits to Drinking Cannabis-Infused Beverages?

The benefits of drinking cannabis drinks are similar to that of consuming any kind of cannabis—pain relief, euphoric effects, better sleep and appetite, yada yada yada. But infused drinks go even further! These drinks provide a more social experience than smoking or vaping, and have a quicker uptake than other edibles.

CBD-infused drinks allow consumers to drink their pain away. Most CBD consumers are using their cannabis products to help treat a medical condition. Some of the most common conditions CBD can help with include anxiety, depression, and of course, pain.

THC-infused drinks are often low doses and make it easy to slip into a nightly wind-down or a night out on the town without getting uncomfortable.

How Much THC and CBD are in Cannabis-Infused Drinks?

The percentages of THC and CBD in cannabis-infused drinks are specific to the manufacturer and the product, but you can find low-dose and high-dose drinks in states with legal recreational and/or medical laws.

Are Cannabis Drinks Healthier than Alcohol?

One hundred per cent. Although legal and socially acceptable, alcohol is bad for you. It’s basically poison that deprives your brain from oxygen so you feel tipsy, and it destroys your liver. Cannabis drinks are simple and refreshing beverages like a low-calorie soda or spritzer that just also happens to contain THC and/or CBD.

The effects of cannabis drinks allow people to lower their stress and anxiety, relax, get pain relief, reduce inflammation, and can even help chronic pain and depression—all while enjoying a delicious and simple beverage.

Are Cannabis Drinks Safe and Legal?

If you live anywhere that has legalized medical and/or recreational cannabis, then you likely have legal cannabis drinks as well. It’s important to review your state’s laws and visit a local dispensary to see what’s available in your area.

It is also important to vet out the brand you’re buying to ensure the product contains safe ingredients. Make sure that the brand you buy from runs third-party laboratory tests to ensure quality ingredients. You can usually find this information on their websites.
Cannabis drinks are just as safe as other edibles available, so long as you know what you’re drinking.