You can smoke, vape, and eat weed, so why not drink it? You’ve heard of edibles—not let’s talk about drinkables. Drinkable weed is one of the latest trends in consuming cannabis, and it’s offering unique experiences for cannabis lovers everywhere.
Weed beverages are great for patients who would prefer not to inhale their marijuana, desire a precise dosage, or just want to consume their cannabis in a new, delicious way. THC drinks are on the rise and Elevate Holistics is ready to help you enhance your weed game.
Is there such thing as a weed drink?
Yes! A weed or cannabis drink is a beverage that extractors infuse with activated cannabis concentrate. It contains cannabinoids like THC (which gets you high) or just CBD (which doesn’t get you high.) There are a variety of options when it comes to choosing a liquid marijuana drink – sparkling water, coffee, soda, juice. Patients can even enjoy a cannabis energy drink for an added boost.
Some weed beverages are fast-acting, kicking in as quickly as five minutes after consuming, while others work like an edible and may take up to two hours to reach peak effects. Here, we’ll go over different types of weed beverages, how they work, dosing, and more.
How Weed Drinks Work
Typically, you activate the cannabinoids in cannabis through heat – cue the lighters and torches. But in a cannabis drink, these compounds are already activated and ready to be consumed, meaning no extra work is required. The hard work comes before the drink reaches you, as weed beverages are one of the trickier cannabis products to make.
Cannabinoids THC and CBD are fat-soluble and, thus, don’t easily mix with water (which is why these molecules work so well in buttery edibles.) But where there’s a will, there’s a way. Using technology, experts have perfected drinkable weed through different processes with the same underlying basics. These processes aim to find the best way to mix cannabinoid molecules with water-friendly molecules.
How to Make Drinkable Weed
Making weed beverages is a complicated process, no matter how you go about it. First, here’s a rundown of the three essential steps of creating drinkable weed.
- CO2 Extraction: First, professionals add liquid-state carbon dioxide (CO2) to raw cannabis materials under extreme pressure and heat. CO2 releases as a gas and, when they complete the complete, only concentrated cannabis extract remains.
- Short-path distillation: Experts refine concentrated cannabis extract using a process called short-path distillation. It uses vacuum and heat control to turn the concentrated extract into cannabis distillate.
- Emulsification: Here, professionals add a blending agent attaching to the cannabis distillate, allowing it to dissolve in water. At this point, you’re ready to consume it.
Water-Soluble Cannabis Drinks
The process of creating a water-soluble marijuana drink has been evolving for many years. Other liquid cannabis products, like tinctures, use alcohol as a base to mix in cannabinoids. (Patients can make their own basic weed drink at home using a THC tincture, but it will likely lack the pizazz of weed beverages on the market.) Since using alcohol for cannabis drinks isn’t ideal, regular water-based THC drinks have long been the standard.
Now, through a process called nano-emulsification, water-soluble cannabis drinks have been smoothed out, literally. The process breaks down cannabis oil into microscopic particles and then mixes it with an emulsifier to help the oil dissolve in water.
Nano-emulsification also allows for faster absorption into the body since it does not need to be processed by the liver. The body absorbs the cannabinoids through the stomach lining, allowing you to feel effects as quickly as five to 15 minutes. Water-soluble drinks provide much higher bioavailability, or the amount of the substance that your bloodstream absorbs. This provides an enhanced experience for consumers, especially for ones with high tolerances.
Regular Cannabis Drinks
But without substantial research, (and the fact that the process is difficult and expensive), nano-emulsification is not every company’s go-to. Instead of breaking down cannabis microscopically in nano-emulsification, the molecules in regular water-based cannabis drinks stay untouched.
This process, known as macro emulsions, still works and can produce a yummy cannabis drink – as long as you shake the liquid marijuana drink before consumption.
Regular cannabis drinks are processed by the liver, like an edible, which creates a slower onset time for effects. The liver processes and removes things that the body doesn’t want, which is another important factor for companies that do not use nano-emulsification.
How to Drink Cannabis
You might not know how much THC drink to consume without the nearly instant effects of smoking or vaping cannabis, making it important to start small and keep track of dosage to discover your sweet spot. Water-soluble cannabis drinks make it easier to optimize this process since they kick in more quickly. But the quicker the effects of cannabis hit, the quicker they fade.
For those new to cannabis, about 5 mg of THC is a good place to start. If you are somewhat accustomed to the effects of cannabis, 20 to 50 mg of THC is a safe bet. For patients who consume cannabis on the regular, a liquid marijuana drink with 100 to 150 mg of THC is likely to help you reach a refreshing level.
LEARN MORE: Your Go-To Edible Dosing Guide
How Long Does It Take For Weed Drink To Hit?
Liquids find their way into your system much quicker than solids, making cannabis-infused beverages quite the quick hitters. You could start noticing the initial buzz in just about 10 to 15 minutes.
On the flip side, munching on a cannabis edible could have you waiting up to an hour or even longer before you begin to feel the effects taking hold. This rapid onset of effects from liquid forms offers a distinct advantage for those seeking immediate relief or a swift change in mood.
Types of Cannabis Drinks
From an extra herbal tea to a cannabis energy drink, there are a plethora of THC drinks on the market. These types of cannabis drinks include but are far from limited to:
- Coffee and tea: Offered in single-serve pods, bottles, and more, cannabis coffee and tea drinks are the perfect wake and bake.
- Soda: Typically caffeine-free, cannabis soda is a yummy mix of carbonation and flavor.
- Sparkling water and tonics: Professionals craft cannabis sparkling water or delicious tonics using simple, often organic ingredients.
- Mocktails: Not to be confused with a marijuana cocktail drink, which doesn’t contain alcohol, a cannabis mocktail contains THC, instead. This is great for those wanting to avoid alcohol but still get a buzz.
- Energy drink: Does a cannabis energy drink get you high? Yes, with a combination of THC and caffeine, a cannabis energy drink is sure to uplift you.
Where to Find Drinkable Weed
The marijuana drink market continues to grow, with research expecting it to be worth $2.8 billion by 2025. Patients can find a liquid marijuanas drink at their local dispensary but should look ahead online to see the options available. When searching a dispensary’s website, you’ll typically find cannabis drinks under the ‘edibles’ tab.
It’s important to purchase your drinkable weed legally, as other products do not have the same safety regulations and may contain unwanted ingredients – or lack the ingredients you’re looking for.
LEARN MORE: Understanding the Different Types of Weed Products
Do CBD Drinks Relax You?
CBD drinks are becoming a go-to for many seeking a gentle unwind without the psychoactive high associated with THC. Infused with cannabidiol (CBD), these beverages can indeed help foster a sense of relaxation and calmness.
The effects are attributed to CBD’s interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating mood, sleep, and pain relief, thereby promoting an overall sense of well-being.
Are Hemp Infused Drinks Safe?
Hemp-infused drinks are generally considered safe for consumption, provided they are produced by reputable brands that adhere to quality standards. These beverages contain CBD derived from hemp, a cannabis plant with low THC levels (less than 0.3%), ensuring no psychoactive effects.
But while side effects are rare, some individuals may experience mild discomfort such as fatigue or changes in appetite.
What Are The Effects Of Drinking Hemp?
Drinking hemp-infused beverages can offer a variety of effects, primarily centered around wellness and relaxation. Unlike its cousin marijuana, hemp contains high levels of CBD and trace amounts of THC, meaning you won’t experience a high. Instead, consumers often report a calming effect, reduced anxiety, and improved sleep patterns.
Some also find relief from inflammation and pain due to CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties. The overall impact can vary from person to person, influenced by factors such as body weight, metabolism, and the concentration of CBD within the drink.
Do Weed Drinks Need To Be Refrigerated?
The need to refrigerate weed drinks largely depends on the specific product and its packaging instructions. Many cannabis-infused beverages, especially those made with natural ingredients and without preservatives, do recommend refrigeration to maintain freshness and potency.
Refrigerating these drinks can also enhance their flavor and prevent degradation of the active cannabinoids over time—always check the label for storage recommendations. Unopened, shelf-stable products might be fine at room temperature, but once opened, it’s usually best to keep them chilled to ensure the best experience.
Sip on a Liquid Weed Drink with the Help of Elevate Holistics
At Elevate Holistics, we want to help you find the cannabis product that’s right for you and teach you how to use it. From the latest THC drinks to any marijuana product on the market, we’re here to keep you elevated and informed.
Interested in receiving your medical marijuana card in a few easy steps? From the comfort of your home, book a virtual appointment here, and our physicians will help you get the medical recommendation you need for your MMJ card.
Additional Patient Resources:
Is MMJ legal in your state? Find out all you need to know on our FAQ pages.
Learn the step-by-step process of getting a medical card in your state. Click here!
Stay up-to-date on cannabis news information. Check out our latest blog post.
