TL;DR:
THC-infused drinks are popular for their ease of use, non-alcoholic effects, and long-lasting impact. They take 15-30 minutes to kick in, with effects lasting several hours and building up gradually.
Main Points:
- What They Are: THC drinks are cannabis-infused beverages with psychoactive effects.
- Legal Types: Delta 9 cannabis drinks (state-dependent) and hemp-sourced drinks (federally legal).
- Popularity: Convenient, non-alcoholic alternative; offers extended effects.
- Duration of Effects: Take 15-30 minutes to hit; effects last several hours with gradual onset.
THC-infused drinks are having their moment in the sun. These easy-to-drink and potent beverages are a new favorite, and it’s easy to see why.
THC-infused drinks are simple, effective, and tasty. They’re somewhat similar to edibles in how they work, but not exactly the same.
It’s always a good idea to know how something psychoactive works before you consume it, so you may be wondering, “How long do THC-infused drinks last?”
Let’s take a closer look at THC drinks. First, we’ll review the basics of these beverages. Then, we’ll focus on how they get to work when you consume one and what kind of timeline of effects to expect.
Key Facts About THC-Infused Drinks
You might hear these tasty treats called THC-infused beverages, cannabis-infused beverages, THC drinks, cannabinoid drinks, or a variety of other names. No matter what they’re called, it’s important to understand what they are and how they’re made if you’re interested in trying them.
The basics of THC-infused drinks are pretty simple. No matter what form they come in, these drinks have a cannabinoid — a chemical sourced from a cannabis or hemp plant that has certain psychoactive effects — as their main ingredient.
Most cannabinoids have similar effects, such as causing elevated mood and an enhanced sense of creativity. While a variety of cannabinoids are used in these drinks, they give users a similar experience in the big picture. The one major exception is CBD drinks, which do not have psychoactive effects and instead offer more functional benefits.
THC Drink Legality
The first big difference with cannabis-infused drinks is their legality. Even though these drinks have similar ingredients and effects, they are legislated differently.
This is due to the 2018 Farm Bill, which distinguishes between cannabis and hemp plants legally, even though both are the same plant biologically. The Farm Bill sets a threshold of Delta 9 THC content: below 0.3% Delta 9 THC by dry weight is a hemp plant, while above 0.3% is a cannabis plant.
In terms of law, the two major types of cannabinoid drinks are:
- Drinks made with Delta 9 THC sourced from cannabis plants. These drinks are federally illegal but legal in several states. They can’t be legally shipped from one state to another.
- Drinks made with cannabinoids sourced from hemp plants. These drinks are legal federally and in many states but are regulated or restricted in some states. Crucial for online shoppers, these beverages can be shipped to many states.
Why People Use and Enjoy THC-Infused Drinks
With effects like an elevated mood and a sense of relaxation, it’s easy to see why many people enjoy cannabinoids in general. However, you might be wondering why cannabinoid drinks have become especially popular recently. The reasons why include:
- They’re easy to use and enjoy. You don’t need to have a lighter and papers or a pipe on hand, or to make sure your vape is charged, for example. You just open the bottle or can, or make your own drink using a tincture or syrup, and start sipping.
- They’re an alternative to alcohol. Harvard Health Publishing explains THC-infused drinks may be tapping into a trend toward non-alcoholic beverages.
- They have long-lasting effects. As you’ll see in the following section of this blog, THC-drinks have some unique benefits in terms of the onset, end, and duration of their effects.
How Long Do THC Drinks Last?
THC-infused drinks occupy a unique space in terms of the length of their effects and how long they take to start working. It’s a big part of why these drinks are becoming so popular.
We commonly hear questions like “How long do THC drinks take to feel their effects?” and “How long for THC drinks to work?” Let’s get right to the answers.
How Long Do THC Drinks Take to Hit?
THC drinks take longer to start delivering their effects than vaping or smoking cannabinoids. With those methods of consumption, cannabinoids enter the bloodstream within seconds after smoke or vapor is inhaled into the lungs.
With edibles and THC drinks, the body processes the cannabinoids in the digestive tract first. For edibles, the process takes about 30-90 minutes before users start to feel the effects.
Cannabinoid drinks kick in somewhat faster because it’s generally easier for the body to break down a liquid than a solid mass. While there isn’t a scientific, peer-reviewed answer to this question, we know, based on user reports, that the timeline is roughly 15-30 minutes.
As we pointed out in our guide to THC sodas, it’s important to remember that delay. Resist the temptation to have another serving if you don’t feel the effects right away, or your experience might get too intense. If you’re not used to edibles or THC drinks, we also recommend starting with 1/2 or less of the suggested serving so you can better control your experience.
How Long Do THC-Infused Drinks Last?
The effects of THC drinks generally last several hours. This is similar to the effects of edibles and due in large part to how our bodies process cannabinoids that we eat or drink. Factors like the size of the dose and your metabolism can influence the duration.
It’s important to mention that the effects of THC-infused drinks tend to come on gradually. There’s not an instantaneous change in how you feel — it’s more of a gradual build to the peak. The same is true as the effects of these drinks start to wear off. It’s a more gradual end of effects.
Many users enjoy this gradual build-up and come-down, as it’s less jarring or sudden than the experience of vaping or smoking.
Bringing You Exceptional THC-Infused Drinks
Delta 8 Resellers is all about bringing you and all of our customers the very best in cannabinoid beverages! Check out our product pages to see independent lab reports for our bottled and canned drinks, tinctures, and syrups whenever they’re available. We let you see the potency, purity, and quality of the active ingredients for yourself so you can make an informed choice.
