Depending on where you live, you may have seen some curious drinks mixed in with the sodas at your local grocery or corner store. They’re cannabis-infused drinks (they contain marijuana). Some of these have been on the market for a while and only contain CBD which is the non-psychoactive element of cannabis (it doesn’t get you high). But others found more recently seem to contain a significant amount of THC (the ingredient that causes a high).
This might seem confusing, especially since many places that have legalized cannabis only allow it to be sold at licensed dispensaries. However, cannabis-infused drinks are difficult to regulate. In this article, we’ll talk about what cannabis drinks are, why they’re so accessible, and how to navigate the constantly changing landscape around weed.
Key Takeaways
- Variety and Accessibility: Cannabis-infused drinks come in various forms, including flavored sparkling water, canned cocktails, and spirits mimicking liquor. These drinks are often marketed as alcohol alternatives and can be found at legal dispensaries, bars, liquor stores, and grocery stores.
- Lack of Regulation: The laws and regulation of cannabis drinks are complicated due to the distinction between hemp and marijuana products. Hemp products, which contain less than 0.3% delta-9 THC, can be sold anywhere in many states, while marijuana products are restricted to licensed dispensaries. Synthetic cannabis products may not be accurately labeled.
- Health Impacts: Consuming cannabis drinks can lead to accidental overdose, especially if consumed quickly like alcohol. Overdosing from cannabis can cause symptoms like severe nausea, increased blood pressure, paranoia, and chest pain. Have open conversations with your loved one about the risks associated with its use as well as ways to reduce these risks.
What are cannabis drinks?
Cannabis-infused drinks can come in many different forms and contain different amounts of THC and CBD. These drinks have become popular as alcohol alternatives for “sober curious” individuals. In fact, many of these drinks are sold at bars or liquor stores and marketed specifically as alcohol alternatives; one brand, Cann, calls their beverages “social tonics.”
Some drinks containing cannabis only have CBD. These are often marketed as being used for relaxation and stress relief or for providing energy and creativity. CBD drinks are generally easy to access. Other cannabis-infused drinks contain THC although it may be difficult to know just how much is in the drink as labeling may be inaccurate.
Types of cannabis-infused drinks include:
- Flavored sparkling water and soda
- Canned cocktails
- Spirits meant to mimic liquor like vodka (Nowadays)
- “Weed water”
- Wine products (less commercially available)
- Water-soluble cannabis “drops” intended to be mixed into drinks
- Tea bags
- Canned coffee
Where do people find them?
Like edible forms of cannabis, these drinks can be purchased at dispensaries in places where cannabis is legal. They contain varying levels of THC and CBD. Some brands, like Ayrloom, contain both, with some drinks at a 1:1 ratio of 5 milligrams each. Others, like Keef, have an “xtreme” drink that contains 100 milligrams of THC.1 (It’s important to note that while each of these will say that one can is a serving size, the general recommended serving size for cannabis is 5-10 milligrams.)
But why can you also find cannabis-infused drinks at the grocery store? Even in states where cannabis is legal, you can only purchase it at licensed dispensaries. This is because of the rather confusing laws around lab-made marijuana, like delta-8, that is made from hemp.
Hemp vs Cannabis
Essentially, in 2018, a bill made all hemp products legal. Hemp was separated from marijuana and is defined as containing less than 0.3% delta-9 THC (which naturally occurs in cannabis and is what most states regulate).2 This means that hemp products don’t need to be sold in dispensaries – they can simply be sold at a corner store. So, even in places where cannabis is illegal, it’s possible to purchase hemp products. Although several states have since outlawed or attempted to regulate delta-8 products, synthetic cannabis has many forms, and companies can change their formulas to get around state laws.
All of this is to say that companies selling cannabis-infused drinks are often easily able to sell their drinks at the grocery store. Here’s an example: Cann distinguishes between their beverages made from hemp products and those made from marijuana products on their website, writing that their products made from hemp are available at “select retailers” across (or can be shipped to) several states. Those made from marijuana, however, are only available at “dispensaries” (which are in far fewer states).3 This shows that there’s a difference between what’s in these drinks, even from the same companies, and this difference means that they can sell their products more freely.
While these drinks technically contain less than 0.3% of the naturally occurring delta-9 THC, they can still contain large amounts of other forms of THC. So, it’s possible to see drinks claiming to contain 10mg of THC in the fridge at the grocery store.
What's the risk?
There is not a lot of research specifically on cannabis-infused drinks, so it’s difficult to know how exactly it can impact people differently from a cannabis gummy or from smoking. You might not know how much of a cannabis drink you can handle. So, it’s best to be cautious if consuming a cannabis beverage. Some specific risks include:
Unknown reactions
Because they are liquids, which are digested more quickly than solid foods, cannabis drinks may absorb into the body faster than an edible, which can cause a high to set in faster.4 Because edibles have a delayed effect compared to smoking, it’s best to wait a period of time before taking more. However, if individuals are using a cannabis drink as an alcohol substitute and drinking it like they normally would a beer or nonalcoholic beverage, they may drink a lot of it very quickly, not realizing how much THC they are consuming at once. This can lead to an accidental overdose.5 While overdosing from cannabis alone is not fatal, it can cause symptoms like severe nausea, increased blood pressure, paranoia, and chest pain.6 Medical attention is not typically needed, but some severe or worsening symptoms like panic attacks might send someone to the emergency room for treatment.7
Limited research and regulation
In addition, there is also limited research on the health impacts of synthetic cannabis products like delta-8. Because they are not regulated, they can contain a lot of different elements – some of which can be very harmful to one’s health. Even though some synthetic cannabis has been outlawed by both the federal government and many states, there are many different product variations.8 Drinking a hemp beverage from a grocery store can be significantly riskier than purchasing one from a licensed dispensary.
Plus, because of the lack of regulation, it’s possible that the information provided about some drinks is inaccurate. For example, a drink could say it contains only CBD or a very limited amount of THC but may contain other elements of cannabis that have mind-altering properties. This has resulted in problems for people who are drug-tested at work – they test positive for marijuana when they swear they didn’t use any.
Accessibility for young people
Finally, while cannabis drinks may be helpful for adults who don’t wish to drink alcohol, their appealing marketing and packaging might also make it attractive to young people – not to mention that it’s probably easier to grab a beverage containing THC at the grocery store than it is to try a fake ID at licensed dispensary. Consuming cannabis at a young age can cause damage to the developing brain and it’s been linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal thinking and psychosis.
How can I keep my loved one safe?
It’s always best to be open and honest with your loved one about these topics. Make sure they know that they can talk with you about any concerns or questions they might have. Seeing a cannabis beverage at the grocery store might be an opportunity to start a conversation with them. Our marijuana talk kit can help you address common questions that your teen may have.
If your loved one is using cannabis in drinks or by other means, be aware of ways to reduce the risks associated with its use, like:
- Using lower-strength products
- Only purchasing from licensed dispensaries
- Avoiding synthetic products
- Not combining with alcohol or other drugs
Sometimes it can be difficult to know what to do and how to handle situations if a loved one is using these products. If that is the case and you need more help, please connect with us for guidance here.