“Generations seem like they only ever get more and more health conscious: Millennials with their avocados and group fitness … Gen Z (walking) away from alcohol,” Collin Hadley said.
Traditional “stoners” aren’t the only ones enjoying cannabis these days. A widening demographic has become interested in the psychoactive drug, particularly in the form of canned beverages.
THC- or hemp-infused drinks aren’t new to the cannabis industry, but have taken off in recent years, particularly since the 2018 Farm Bill went into effect, which declassified hemp as a Schedule 1 drug. Now federally legal, hemp-derived products, which can contain small doses of THC, are available throughout the U.S., even in states where medical and recreational marijuana isn’t legal.
New York resident Collin Hadley was a social marijuana smoker for about 10 years before recently taking a step back, concerned how frequent inhalation affected his lung health. When he saw some cans of THC-infused seltzer at his local supermarket, he decided to give them a shot.
“It seemed like the perfect way to get the calming effects of THC without damaging my lungs or diet in any way (sugar free options),” Hadley told USA TODAY.
As THC-infused beverages continue become more accessible, here’s what to know about the drinks.
What are THC-infused drinks?
THC-infused drinks fall into two categories: beverages made with regulated marijuana and those made with hemp-derived THC. Beverages that contain regulated marijuana are only legal in states where medical and/or recreational marijuana is permitted. They can only be purchased at licensed marijuana dispensaries.
On the other hand, beverages made with hemp-derived THC are more accessible. They are commonly found in liquor and convenience stores, supermarkets, and can also be purchased online − accessible in some states where medical and/or recreational marijuana isn’t even legal.
With the declassification of hemp as a Schedule 1 drug under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp products are federally legal, as long as they contain 0.3% or less of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC, is the substance that’s primarily responsible for marijuana’s psychoactive effects.
THC-infused beverages tend to reflect popular alcoholic and sparking water flavors. For example, the hemp-derived beverage brand Happy Flower offers flavors like Margarita and Strawberry Daiquiri.
