There are plenty of ways to enjoy cannabinoids, from smoking and vaping to edibles and more. If you already know about edibles, it may not surprise you to learn that you can drink cannabinoids as well as eat them!
THC sodas and similar drinks have quickly become popular in recent years. If you have questions about them — whether you’ve tried these “weed sodas” already or not — we probably have the answers.
Keep reading to learn more about THC sodas, from how they tend to affect users to how they work.
The Basics on THC Sodas: Effects, Legality & More
THC sodas are a pretty simple concept. They combine the effects of cannabinoids, like Delta 8 and CBD, for example, with the sweet flavors and fizziness of traditional sodas.
In some ways, THC sodas are very similar to classic cocktails like the rum and cola and the Moscow Mule, which contains ginger beer and vodka. Both have intoxicating effects while pleasing your taste buds. However, THC sodas don’t lead to hangovers and other ailments that can come from drinking alcohol.
In other ways, THC-infused sodas are very similar to edibles. We’ll take a closer look at this comparison later on in this article. For now, it’s enough to know that infused drinks and edibles are both processed in the same way by the body, and their effects follow similar timelines in the big picture.
Why THC Sodas are Growing in Popularity
People drink THC sodas primarily for enjoyment. They like the effects of the cannabinoids in these drinks, such as an elevated mood and sense of relaxation.
THC sodas offer many users a way to relax, feel a buzz, and be sociable, but without the negative effects that come from alcohol. Harvard Health Publishing points out that there’s a broad trend toward non-alcoholic beverages, and THC sodas are one of many drinks that fall into that large category.
However, some users choose these infused beverages because they feel they get a health benefit from them. While these benefits haven’t been conclusively proven through scientific research, many users report that cannabinoids can help with issues like stress, anxiety, and pain.
Understanding the Legality of THC Sodas
It’s important to note that terms like “cannabis infused soda,” “THC soda,” “pot infused soda,” “THC pop,” and more are commonly used in the industry and by consumers. Those terms imply that these beverages all contain Delta 9 THC. Delta 9 is the most common active chemical — a cannabinoid — found in cannabis plants.
While some THC-infused sodas do, in fact, contain Delta 9, there’s a wide range of cannabinoids with similar effects to Delta 9. Many of those cannabinoids are also available in sodas, and there’s a key reason why.
Delta 9 sourced from cannabis plants is federally illegal, but legal in certain states for medicinal and/or recreational use. Individual states have legal markets for cannabis products, but they can’t be transported or sold across state lines.
The opposite is true of cannabinoids that come from hemp. As long as the hemp plants contain no more than 0.3% Delta 9 THC by dry weight, it is federally legal to grow them, sell them, and extract cannabinoids from them. Some states restrict the possession and sale of products containing these cannabinoids, but many do not.
Why does that matter to you? Because no one can buy cannabis-derived THC sodas online and have them shipped across state lines. But people in many states can buy hemp-derived products and have them shipped right to their door, including THC sodas made with hemp!
How THC Sodas Work & Tips for Enjoying Them
As we mentioned previously, THC sodas are most similar to edibles. There’s no smoking or vaping required, no need for lighters, pipes, or any other tools. As with eating edibles, all you need to do to enjoy THC sodas is drink them.
THC sodas also work in a somewhat similar way to edibles. When we eat edibles, our bodies digest them and process the cannabinoids within them. That’s different from smoking and vaping, where cannabinoids enter the lungs and are absorbed into the bloodstream within seconds.
Edibles have a longer timeline in terms of their effects. It takes longer for edibles to kick in and fade out. Their effects last significantly longer than smoking or vaping, too.
THC sodas have only recently entered widespread use, so there isn’t definitive, peer-reviewed research related to them. However, it appears that THC sodas are a sort of happy medium between edibles and smoking or vaping.
Our bodies digest the cannabinoid-infused liquids we swallow, just like edibles or regular beverages. However, it’s quite easy for the body to absorb cannabinoids contained in liquid — easier than absorbing those found in edibles.
Based on user reports, it seems that THC sodas take somewhere around 15-30 minutes to deliver their effects. That’s very important to keep in mind, especially if you haven’t tried them before. Don’t overdo it — drink one THC soda and give it a little time to kick in before you think about having another.
Tips for Enjoying THC Sodas
THC sodas are a newer product category in the world of cannabinoids and have a different timeline of effects than other popular products. To get the most out of THC sodas, we recommend:
- Starting with somewhere between half and a full dose (normally half to a full can or bottle — between 2.5 and 5 milligrams) when you try THC sodas for the first time. See how THC sodas affect you first; don’t indulge too much or too quickly.
- Check the label to make sure you don’t drink too much or too little. Some THC sodas have a lower cannabinoid content, while others are extra strong. Use 5 mg as the reference point for a full dose.
- Give the THC infused soda time to kick in. Wait about 30-40 minutes and see how you feel before having another can or bottle, especially if you haven’t tried them before. Some people enjoy larger doses, but those bigger doses can also lead to more intense side effects.
- Don’t drink THC sodas and drive. They don’t contain alcohol, but they can still slow down your reaction time or make you less focused.
- Enjoy them just like any other beverage! Don’t be afraid to serve them over ice or add a garnish like a lemon wedge. As long as you enjoy both substances responsibly and don’t overdo it, there’s nothing wrong with making a cocktail using THC soda as the mixer.
The Very Best THC Sodas from Delta 8 Resellers
Delta 8 Resellers partners with the very best brands in the industry to bring you exceptional THC sodas!
We only stock the highest-quality cannabinoid beverages. And, whenever available, we share the results of independent lab testing for our products on their individual pages. That way, you can check out the quality, potency, and purity for yourself.
