If you’ve been looking for a new hemp product to try, one that we can’t recommend enough is a THC beverage. Pretty new to the scene, it’s taking off like few products we’ve seen over the years, and for good reason. It offers a legal, totally enjoyable, and uniquely thirst-quenching way to get a meaningful serving of delta 9 THC, the most heavily restricted cannabis compound around the world. The fact that it’s legal may surprise you, but don’t worry – you really can buy this product without breaking the law.
If you’re new to delta 9 drinks, let’s explore this product type more closely to give you a good idea of what it can do for you, and what to know before you go ahead and pick one up.
What Exactly is a THC Beverage?
Basically, a THC beverage is just any beverage that contains THC distillate – aka, a purified extract of delta 9 THC, extracted from hemp. What this does is offer a whole new type of edible, as technically the cannabinoid is ingested. This changes the way in which the product is absorbed into the body – let’s elaborate.
When we consume a THC edible in a solid form, like a gummy or a piece of toffee, the cannabinoid travels pretty slowly through the digestive system, before it makes its way to the liver. And, because these types of edibles are fat-soluble, a surprising amount gets metabolized immediately rather than reaching the bloodstream – in short, that brings down the potency of the overall experience.
THC beverages offer a water-soluble form of THC, which totally changes the game by making it easier to absorb into the body. The cannabinoid, in liquid form, still travels through the digestive system before it reaches the liver and enters the bloodstream. But, because it’s water-soluble, it travels more quickly, and the effects are more potent since the water-solubility enables better absorption into the system, since the body’s cells contain high amounts of water content.
Besides that, THC-infused drinks offer the clear benefit of being super refreshing. When you’re feeling thirsty, you can really look forward to sipping one to quench your thirst. This is actually a reason why so many people turn to THC beverages after quitting drinking, since they offer the high of delta 9 in beverage form, making for a fantastic alternative to alcohol.
How are THC Beverages Legal?
THC beverages are compliant with the law as long as they adhere to the Farm Bill. In 2018, hemp was legalized for sale and purchase under this piece of legislation, essentially permitting hemp-based products to be sold legally, assuming they contain a maximum of 0.3% delta 9 THC by dry weight. This sounds like a minuscule amount; however, the large serving sizes of a beverage automatically mean that the 0.3% can come out to a significant number of milligrams – basically, plenty to get users high off of delta 9, not to mention capable of receiving the many known potential benefits of the cannabinoid as well.
Now, while it is true that delta 9 THC drinks are legal federally, some states have outlawed hemp products that are ingested, and that would include beverages. What this means is that if you’re going to buy a delta 9 drink and you live in a state where edibles are banned, then you won’t be able to purchase this product type, unfortunately.
What Kinds of THC Beverages are There?
You can imagine that companies making THC products are getting creative, and even offering a nice variety of THC beverages these days. You can find THC drinks in different:
- Milligram strengths
- Flavors
- Formulations (combinations of ingredients)
- Cannabinoid blends (CBD + THC, etc.)
- Terpene blends
- Active ingredient combos (delta 9 THC + ashwagandha, etc.)
Besides that, there are a few different categories of beverages. Each one is fantastic in its own way – it’s just a matter of personal preference when it comes to your drinking tastes. Let’s elaborate.
Syrups
You can find plenty of THC syrups out there in different flavors, which are a great way to have more control over dosing. You can add syrup to your favorite beverage (or just water) in the amount you feel comfortable with based on how high you want to get off of the product. Of course, you’ll just want to make sure you stir really well, as these syrups can stick to the bottom of your drinking glass.
Juices
Then, we have THC juices, which combine fruit juice with THC distillate. They’re easy to drink, since fruit juice is, after all, delicious, and come in a variety of flavors. They’re usually sold in bottles.
Sparkling Waters/Seltzers
Sparkling waters and seltzers infused with THC are hugely popular, because they contain less sugar than juice, and so that makes them more compatible with the needs of a larger number of consumers. They’re also:
- Super-refreshing.
- Infused with fresh fruit extracts to be available in lots of tasty flavors.
- Usually sold by the can, but also do come in a bottled form.
Powders
Powders are like syrups in that they’re added into the product at the desired amount. They dissolve in the liquid beverage of your choice, and usually come with some type of scooping instrument so that you can measure out the recommended dosage easily. Again, you’ll want to stir really well.
What is the High Like with a THC Beverage?
Good news – a THC beverage is fully capable of giving you that magnificent THC high – the same high you’d get from, well, weed. Most of these beverages contain between 10-15mg of delta 9, which is plenty for most people who want to get stoned off of a legal drink.
Now, if you’ve never gotten high off of delta 9 THC before, you may not know what that would entail. First off, it’s important to know that delta 9 is stronger than delta 8, but most delta 8 products contain higher milligram strengths than delta 9 products because of legal boundaries.
So, what does the ‘high’ feel like? Well, it’s different for everyone, but most people describe it as euphoric, calming, and foggy – in other words, expect to feel a bit “out of it”, and dazed for a while. This is going to be more prominent if you’re a newbie, since THC can be quite heavy if you have a low tolerance. Because of that, total THC newbies may want to go with half a serving size in the beginning.
Overall, delta 9 THC’s high is considered immensely enjoyable – after all, it’s one of the most widely used intoxicants for a reason. So, pace yourself, sip away, and enjoy.
What are Some Benefits of THC Beverages?
Besides the high of delta 9 THC that you’d get from a beverage, there are also potential benefits, of which there are many. Remember that the medical marijuana market is alive and well for a reason – THC really does come with lots of fantastic potential benefits that can help you out each day beyond giving you a delightful, blissful buzz.
These potential benefits include:
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Analgesic properties
- Neuroprotective properties
- Stress relief
- Aid in sleep
- Mood-improving effects
- Creativity-enhancing effects
- Focus-enhancing effects
Delta 9 THC has been studied for decades, by medical researchers trying to gain more insight into what makes this cannabinoid worthwhile in a therapeutic context. What this means is that you can easily find loads of helpful information out there about what THC can do from a more beneficial standpoint.
What Should You Look for in a THC Beverage Anyways?
When buying a THC beverage, there are some key things to keep an eye out for, to make sure you’re getting the product that’s the most likely to satisfy all of your needs. The bottom line is that not all products are made with the highest standards in quality and effectiveness, so you want to really do your research before making a purchase. Here are the most important things to pay attention to when buying a THC beverage, or any hemp product, for that matter.
#1: Right Milligram Strength
First off, effectiveness largely comes down to milligram strength. The number of milligrams of THC in the product are going to play a big role in whether or not you actually get the results you want – naturally. Then again, some people prefer lower strengths because they’re looking for more of a micro-dosing experience. Either way, you’ll likely want at least 10mg of THC if you’re seeking out a standard high – like the kind you’d get from smoking weed. Micro-dosing can imply anywhere from 1-5mg depending on one’s tolerance and how much of a buzz they want to feel.
#2: Great Flavor
Naturally, flavor is important. After all, no one wants to sip a THC beverage that tastes terrible. So, it’s okay to be choosy about the flavor that you buy, as that does affect how much you will enjoy taking the product. With so many different flavor options out there, there’s no reason to settle for anything less than what’s going to satisfy you.
#3: Clean Ingredients
Always read through the ingredients before buying any hemp product, including THC beverages. After all, you never know what companies are sneaking unwanted ingredients in there, like artificial preservatives, unnecessary coloring agents, etc. At the end of the day, we always believe that the cleaner the formula, the better. But, everyone has their own standards, and those should be applied to your THC beverage purchases as much as anything else.
#4: Organic Hemp
We always urge customers to choose THC products that come from organic hemp. The difference matters because only organic hemp is pesticide-free. Most companies do disclose whether or not their hemp was grown organically, but if you need to, you can look at the third-party lab reports, which will indicate whether or not there’s the presence of pesticides. We’ll get into that a bit more later.
#5: Terpenes (Optional)
Terpenes may or may not be in a THC beverage, and everyone has their own preferences when it comes to taking them. Terpenes are the secondary class of compounds in hemp, which provide the flavor and aroma of the plant. Terpenes also determine the strain of the plant, and even have an impact when it comes to the unique effects of any given strain, since terpenes all have their own specific properties. Terpenes will give a THC beverage a “plant-like” aftertaste, and they’ll also add to the potential benefits that you can derive from the product.
#6: Other Cannabinoids (Optional)
Of course, a lot of THC beverages contain other cannabinoids – not just delta 9. You’ll find lots of 2:1 CBD to delta 9 and 2:1 CBG to delta 9 ratios. You’ll also find products that contain just delta 9, as well as delta 8/delta 9 formulas. Ultimately, all cannabinoids work synergistically with one another, and so a cannabinoid combination is going to change the way the high of delta 9 feels. For instance, CBD can make the high mellower, CBG can take the edge off the intoxication and add some mood-boosting properties, and delta 8 will add to the psychoactive experience.
#7: Lab Reports
Always read third-party lab reports before buying any hemp product. These lab reports come from an unbiased, state-authorized facility, and therefore contain only objective information. They show that the hemp extract in the product has been thoroughly analyzed for safety, purity, and chemical compound composition, so that you have a strong idea of the quality of what you’re consuming.
#8: A Trusted Brand
Finally, always make sure that you’re buying from a trusted manufacturer, with lots of positive reviews, and a transparent approach to marketing their products – i.e., information about how they source their hemp, what ingredients they use, and so on. Unfortunately, there will always be sketchy brands out there that are making subpar formulas to profit off of current trends.
Can I Use a THC Beverage with Other Hemp-Infused Products?
If you’ve been holding off on THC drinks because you are already using other hemp products regularly, don’t worry. Cannabinoids do not interact with each other negatively – if anything, you will just get ‘more high’ than you would with a THC beverage on its own. You can mix and match hemp products as much as you’d like with no real risk of ill effects. If you’re a hemp beginner, just be aware of dosing, as this to avoid getting higher than what you’re comfortable with.
What Kinds of Side Effects Might I Get After Consuming a THC Beverage?
When it comes to THC beverages, you really don’t have to worry too much about side effects. Hemp is strictly nontoxic to the body, which means that you aren’t going to overdose. Still, THC does have some potential side effects, all of which are short-lived and mild, plus largely dose-dependent, including:
- Dry mouth
- Dry eyes/bloodshot eyes
- Lightheadedness
- Impairment to motor skills
- Sleepiness/grogginess
- Anxiety/paranoia (from getting too high)
- Increased appetite
So, if you do experience any of these above side effects, just know that they’re normal, expected, and can simply be waited out.
Are THC Beverages Going to Get Me More High Than Other THC Products?
If you’re trying to figure out how high you’ll get off of THC beverages compared to other product types, remember again that it has a lot to do with how many milligrams you’re consuming in one sitting. But, the delivery method does have an inherent potency level based on how it absorbs. Generally, THC drinks and other products that we ingest are less potent than inhalable products (vapes, flower, etc.) and tinctures. The tradeoff is that the duration of effects is much longer, with THC drinks offering a high that may last for 6-8 hours.
When Do the Effects of THC Beverages Start?
One other thing: know that it can take a while for the effects to kick in, if you’re new to edibles. Depending on your unique digestive system, and what you’ve consumed that day, you may find that it takes up to about 90 minutes before you start feeling high. What this means is that you don’t want to have one drink, decide 30 minutes later that it doesn’t work, and have another. This would just result in you getting twice as high once the effects do peak later on.
THC Beverages are Refreshing on a Whole New Level – Discover a Delivery Method Unlike Any Other!
Clearly, THC beverages are a lot more than a heavily hyped trend at the moment. These tasty drinks offer a whole new, super bioavailable way to enjoy THC legally, while being a very travel-friendly product to boot. And, with so many tasty flavors and top-notch formulas out there, there really is a beverage for every delta 9 enthusiast.
GreenLife Remedies carries an awesome election of THC drinks, all made with lab-tested hemp extracts and quality ingredients. We only carry products from the most trusted brands in the business, so that you don’t have to worry about whether or not they meet your standards.
