You can vape, smoke, and eat cannabinoids. It’s probably not surprising to hear you can drink them, too.
There are plenty of options when it comes to drinking THC. Homemade Infused teas and canned and bottled beverages in a wide variety of flavors are just a few examples. You can even find syrups and drops that you can add to your own favorite drinks.
Let’s take a closer look at drinking THC. We’ll start with reviewing what federally legal cannabinoids are, and how THC drinks work. Then, we’ll answer common questions about drinking THC.
What are Cannabinoids? What Happens When You Drink Them?
Cannabinoids are certain chemicals found in cannabis and hemp plants. What makes them distinct is their ability to interact with the human endocannabinoid system.
Cannabinoids can have a wide variety of effects. CBD, for example, doesn’t have psychoactive effects but can help address issues like pain and sleeplessness. Many other cannabinoids, like Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC, lead to a high — an altered sense of mood and perception.
People consume cannabinoids in a variety of ways. Smoking, vaping, and eating edibles are some of the most common. Cannabinoid drinks are also growing in popularity.
These THC drinks have effects similar to those of edibles. The major points to remember when it comes to what edibles and drinks offer, as opposed to smoking and vaping, are:
- A longer wait until you start feeling effects. Usually between 30 minutes to 90 minutes, and sometimes as long as 2 hours.
- Longer noticeable effects, potentially lasting for several hours.
- A slow, steady start and finish for those effects.
- A potentially more intense experience than with smoking or vaping, depending on the dose.
Legal Status of Cannabinoids
There are, broadly speaking, two major categories of cannabinoids in terms of legality.
State-by-State Regulation of Cannabinoids Sourced from Cannabis Plants
Delta 9 THC and other cannabinoids sourced from cannabis plants are legal in various capacities on a state-by-state basis. Some states only allow this kind of THC for medical use, others have recreational markets.
Crucially, laws vary by state and there are no broader, federal-level laws. It’s illegal to buy cannabis-derived THC in one state and ship it to another.
Federal and State Regulation of Cannabinoids Sourced from Hemp Plants
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the commercial production of hemp, as the Brookings Institute explains. The major limitation is that these hemp plants can contain no more than 0.3% Delta 9 THC.
It’s possible to take common cannabinoids found in hemp plants, like CBD, and convert them into other cannabinoids. That’s true of Delta 8, THC-O, and many others. Even Delta 9 THC can be created from compounds found in hemp plants.
Federally, these hemp-based cannabinoids are legal for interstate sale, barring state-level restrictions. They are also legal in many states, although some other states and municipalities have laws that restrict or prohibit their purchase. Always check into local laws before you buy federally legal cannabinoids.
Drinking THC: More Info About Popular Options
THC drinks made with federally legal, hemp-derived cannabinoids come in many forms.
Canned and Bottled THC Beverages
Pre-packaged beverages are the easiest to use. They come with clear instructions and the dose is labeled on the bottle or can.
All you need to do with these THC drinks is open and enjoy. To be extra careful, take it slow with your first experience. Try a half or a quarter of the total serving. Then, wait for the effects to kick in before consuming the rest.
Syups, Drops, Oils, and Tinctures
Syrups, drops, tinctures, and similar options require a little more work. However, they also offer many more opportunities to customize your experience.
The simplest approach is to simply add the recommended single dose to a beverage you already enjoy. You could try them with a can of soda, a cup of coffee, or a glass of juice. You can add them to just about any drink that you know you like.
Drops also allow you to make your own THC beverages, perhaps as an alternative to an alcoholic cocktail.
Wondering how to make THC drinks? Start with your favorite mocktail recipe. You can also mix juices, simple syrups, and many other flavorings and beverages. Make something new and fun or create a twist on an old favorite!
THC Alcohol Drinks
You can mix cannabinoid syrups, drops, and similar liquids with alcohol to make traditional cocktails with a broader range of effects.
There’s nothing uniquely dangerous or worrisome about such cocktails. They’re easy to make too. Most cocktails won’t have their flavors substantially thrown off by the addition of a small amount of syrup or drops.
However, you need to be aware of how mixing different substances can affect you. Alcohol and cannabinoids together can make you feel more impaired than either one alone. Alcohol by itself can interact with medications or aggravate certain medical conditions.
Take it slow, see how you feel, and avoid the temptation to overdo it. As with so many other things, moderation is always a good approach.
What’s the Best Way to Drink THC?
Besides taking a safe, moderate approach, there’s no best or worse (or right or wrong) way to enjoy THC infused drinks.
Some people like the convenience of pre-packaged beverages. Others like to create their own concoctions for the perfect flavor and intensity.
If you’re just getting started with drinking THC, we recommend pre-packaged drinks. They’re the easiest to use, and have the dose clearly listed on the label.
You don’t need to measure out a dose or act as your own bartender. Just open the cap or can and enjoy! Once you’ve tried these out, and if you’re interested in making your own THC drinks, you can experiment with syrups, drops, and tinctures.
High-Quality Cannabinoid Beverages You Can Count On
Delta 8 Resellers works with only the best brands in the industry to deliver consistently high-quality cannabinoids to you. We offer the results of third-party lab testing for all products where it’s available, too. That way, you can see exactly what’s in anything you want to try.
Check out our selection of infused drinks, syrups, and more!
