The Rise of Cannabis Beverages: Are They a Healthier Alternative?

On a recent trip to New Orleans, in a state that currently lacks legal recreational cannabis, I spotted them – THC-infused drinks prominently displayed in a smoke shop window. During a visit to Chicago, cannabis beverages were offered to me at bars as an alternative to alcohol. At home in Denver, CBD and hemp drinks are sold everywhere from dispensaries to convenience stores and bars. 

As alcohol consumption reaches record lows in the United States, people are seeking other options for relaxation and fun without the negative health impacts associated with drinking. Gen Z, in particular, is less interested in drinking than any other generation before them. And with cannabis use currently hitting all-time highs, is it possible THC could replace alcohol as our weekend go-to drink? 

The demand for these beverages is certainly growing, but our access to them is still unequal – even in states with legal weed. As cannabis drinks take off throughout the States, we are now left with a couple of essential questions: are they truly healthier than alcohol, and when will everyone be able to buy them? 

Cannabis Drinks: What Are They? 

Cannabis beverages are any drink infused with compounds from the cannabis plant, such as delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD). 

These beverages took off shortly after the signing of the 2018 Farm Bill, which contained a loophole allowing for the sale of hemp-derived products if they contained less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. As it turned out, 0.3% is plenty strong enough to cause psychoactive effects – and these items could even be sold in states without legal weed programs. 

There are two main types of cannabis beverages: those with CBD and those with THC. CBD is non-psychoactive and often derived from hemp, so it’s good for relaxing without the mind-altering high. Alternatively, THC-infused drinks are psychoactive, much like a cannabis edible from the dispensary.

Weed drinks are possible thanks to a relatively new technology known as nanoemulsification, which has two main goals. Emulsification allows cannabinoid particles to bind with water, and breaking them down further into tiny nanoparticles helps them to be absorbed by the body much faster. 

Cannabis beverages can contain anywhere from 2 to 100 milligrams of THC or CBD, but the average hovers around 5 to 10 mg – a fairly standard serving for an edible. Some drinks contain both CBD and THC for a more balanced high. 

Since you sip on a drink rather than ingesting it all at once, they also tend to be less intense than food-based infusions, with the peak spread out over a longer period of time. 

Exploring the Cannabis Beverage Market 

Cannabis beverages are experiencing a significant surge in popularity across the country. There are an estimated 500 to 750 different brands offering the drinks, ranging from small local companies to nationally distributed labels. 

As the brands have grown, so too have the varieties. You can find lemonades, mock beers, seltzers, teas, sodas, syrups, juices, and everything in between in countless flavors. Many bars are starting to show off their creativity with these options, crafting all sorts of traditional mocktails and personalized mixed drinks for patrons. 

The best part? Consumers are loving it. Circle K is on track to start selling cannabis beverages in all of its stores within the next year, and Target is eyeing a similar move. Total Wine already offers them in a growing number of locations. 

The actual legality of these products, however, can get a bit murky. When it comes to state-by-state allowances, there are a lot of restrictions to sift through. Cannabis-derived drinks are currently legal in the 24 states with recreational cannabis, but the rules aren’t one-size-fits-all. The beverages are also legal in a few states that don’t have cannabis programs, making it that much more confusing. 

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To help, we’ve put together a list of places where cannabis beverages are legal. It’s important to remember that these laws are changing rapidly, so always double-check your local restrictions. 

READ: Cannabis Drinks: What’s With All the Hype About Cannabis-Infused Beverages?

Are Cannabis Drinks Healthy? 

Perhaps now you’ve discovered that cannabis drinks are available in your state, and you’re ready to give one a try. But are they truly healthier than alcohol, or is that just a marketing gimmick? 

Since they’re so new, there’s not much science to back up a clear answer just yet. But we have studied the impacts of cannabis and hemp on the body and mind, which gives us an idea of the effects of weed drinks. 

The most common short-term side effects from THC include drowsiness, issues with coordination, and reduced ability to focus. It may also lead to nausea, dry mouth, or anxiety. The long-term effects can worsen memory or mental health issues in some people, and there has been some evidence that it may affect hormones or blood pressure. 

However, many of the most significant concerns with cannabis, such as respiratory illness, are eliminated by ingesting it orally rather than by inhaling it through a vape or joint. 

Alcohol tends to have far worse impacts. After a binge, hangovers are brutal – something THC drinks don’t cause. It’s also been linked to increased rates of liver failure, heart disease, strokes, brain cancer, and much more. More than 100,000 people die every year from alcohol in the United States, compared to none from THC. 

Additionally, THC and CBD can actually boost health and happiness in people who suffer from seizures, chronic pain, depression, or eating disorders. 

In a nutshell, cannabis will never be as harmful as alcohol, even in drink form. Cannabis isn’t for everyone, but those who enjoy it (or people who would like to start) can likely benefit from reaching for a hemp beverage over liquor. 

Dr. Staci Gruber, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School who directs the Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery (MIND) Program, spoke on the subject earlier this year. She told CNET: “Cannabis is not one thing. A product that has equal amounts of THC and CBD is not likely to have the same impact as a product that has 15 milligrams of THC alone.” 

From there, she goes on to explain that the largest risks associated with cannabis beverages are the lack of clear regulations and testing in the hemp industry and the potential to overdo it. 

“If you’re interested in checking out THC-infused beverages, you should be mindful of what you’re buying and using,” she stated. “Start with a small amount and give yourself time to see how it affects you.”

Final Thoughts

Cannabis drink sales hit $1.1 billion in 2024, and they have the potential to grow into a $10 billion industry over the next decade. The appeal is clear: they offer a healthier alternative to alcohol without the hangovers or harsh side effects. 

That said, not all of these drinks are created equally. Start with a small dose, pay attention to how it hits you, and enjoy experimenting responsibly. As access grows and regulations continue to expand, these beverages could become the go-to drink for a new generation.