Mostly, when you grab a drink, you're simply looking for something refreshing and tasty, but when it contains THC or CBD, what’s in the can matters. Cannabis drinks are a convenient alternative to the more traditional cannabis products, but THC and CBD can result in very different effects.
CBD and THC are both cannabinoids; however, they interact with the body differently: CBD is not intoxicating, and THC can produce an intoxicating “high.” That's why there's more to picking a cannabis drink than choosing your favorite flavor.
This guide will help you understand how quickly a drink takes effect and how much THC you’re having, as well as the biggest differences between THC vs. CBD drinks.
Key Takeaways
- THC can be intoxicating; CBD isn't intoxicating.
- Cannabis drinks tend to kick in faster than edibles because they can be absorbed more quickly.
- A THC drink can result in a positive drug test, even if it's a legal dose.
- If you're new to THC drinks, start with a low-milligram option and see how your body responds.
- Under federal law, hemp mustn't contain more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight (although this bill is being amended), and state laws vary and can change.
Understanding THC vs. CBD Drinks: What’s in Your Can?
All cannabis-infused drinks originate from the same Cannabis sativa plant, but the specific compounds in the drinks determine how they'll make you feel.
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THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main compound that triggers the psychoactive (mind-altering) effect linked to cannabis, so THC-infused drinks can alter your mood and perception and have an intoxicating effect. If a drink is labeled "THC," that means it has enough of a THC dose to produce a noticeable “high.”
CBD Beverages (Non-Intoxicating)
CBD (cannabidiol) provides the soothing benefits of the cannabis plant, but without the psychoactive effects. CBD drinks typically have little to no THC, or THC that's far below what's needed to feel the intoxicating effects, which is why it's favored for clear-headed relaxation.
If you want to know more about CBD, read our guide: Does CBD have THC?
Hybrid Ratios
Many new THC and CBD drinks combine the two in various ratios (such as 1:5 or 1:1), which allows the compounds to work together and may give you more physical comfort and relaxation. Our THC seltzer is made with organic fruit juice, is low in calories, doesn’t have any artificial flavors, and contains both THC and CBD.
Checking the label is the easiest way to see what effect you'll be getting. At Cypress Hemp, transparency is important to us, so whatever CBD products you choose, our beverages, oils, 1:1 live resin THC gummies, or capsules all clearly outline exactly how much THC and CBD they contain on the label.
How The Body Responds to THC and CBD
The body has a built-in regulation system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Its job is to help balance mood, pain, appetite, and immune function using receptors found mostly in the central nervous system and immune tissues. These receptors are called endocannabinoid receptors.
CBD and THC are also cannabinoids, and they interact with the same receptors, but unlike endocannabinoids, which are made naturally by the body, CBD and THC come from the cannabis plant.
- THC: THC triggers the "high" by attaching to the receptors in the brain and activating them (Zhang et al., 2022).
- CBD: CBD also interacts with the receptors, but in a different way. It binds to the CB1 receptors of the brain and alters how they react to other compounds. This might explain why CBD alone doesn't produce the same intoxication as THC (Laprairie et al., 2015).
What the Effects of THC and CBD Drinks Actually Feel Like
THC Drinks
Everyone reacts differently to THC. A dose that feels mild to one person might feel much stronger to another person (Poyatos et al., 2020). That’s why experts advise that new users take a start-low-and-go-slow approach (Health Canada, 2025).
The following factors can affect how you respond to THC:
- Tolerance
- Metabolism
- Individual differences in the endocannabinoid system (Lucas et al., 2018)
For newbies, it's best to start with a clearly labeled low-dose THC beverage. This same principle applies to other cannabis products that contain a set amount of CBD, like our Microdose THC oil, softgels, and capsules.
After having a THC drink, you might feel more relaxed and notice changes in your sense of time and sensory perception. Higher doses can increase these effects and may lead to slower thinking and drowsiness (Lucas et al., 2018). You can have more than one THC seltzer, but if you’re new to THC, it’s best to give the first drink time to take effect before you have another.
CBD Drinks
In general, CBD drinks are not expected to lead to the “highs” usually linked to THC. Some people describe CBD effects as mild and relaxed, without the mental slowing and altered perception that can occur with THC.
In a 2024 clinical trial, researchers followed 102 healthy adults who drank a CBD-infused drink containing either 30 mg or 60 mg of CBD every day for eight weeks (Townsend et al., 2024). The researchers didn't find any substantial changes in their psychological well-being, quality of life, perceived stress, cognition, or any other indicators of physical and mental health changes. This reiterates that CBD drinks are unlikely to result in a high because they don’t have psychoactive compounds.
Why Cannabis-Infused Drinks May Take Effect Faster Than Gummies or Oils
Cannabis-infused beverages often kick in quicker than traditional edibles because of how they’re absorbed. Solid edibles, like gummies, have to pass through the gastrointestinal tract and liver before cannabinoids enter the bloodstream, and the oils also take longer to reach peak concentration.
Our drinks are made in a way that breaks up the CBD into very small droplets, known as nanoemulsions, which may improve how they're dispersed and absorbed.
In a study, it was found that nanoemulsified formulations reached measurable blood concentrations in 15 to 30 minutes, and they were absorbed faster than conventional oils (Berl et al., 2022) .
Note: Onset speed can differ depending on what and how much food you’ve had, your metabolism, and the formulation. Quicker onset doesn't necessarily mean the effect will be stronger, so always follow the product's recommended serving size. Never mix THC with alcohol, and don't drive or operate machinery after consuming it.
How Cannabis Drinks Compare to Alcoholic Drinks
CBD and THC drinks might be consumed in similar social settings to alcohol, and for similar reasons, but they affect the body in very different ways. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, and it affects several organs at the same time, whereas THC specifically interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system.
Cannabis drinks are gaining popularity, with some people choosing them as an alternative to alcohol on nights out. In a 2024 survey of more than 2,000 adults living in the US, about half said they'd be willing to try a cannabis beverage, and they also said they'd be willing to pay more for the THC options over the CBD ones (Staples, 2024).
In another study of 438 adults who’d used cannabis, researchers found that 58.6% of cannabis-drink users said they substituted it for alcohol. They also said they drank fewer alcoholic drinks after they started having cannabis drinks (Kruger et al., 2026).
What to Check Before You Buy a Cannabis Drink
[Photo by Aflo, Canva].
A cannabis drink is only as good as what's actually inside the can, but the label on the front may not always give you an accurate description. That's why there are four important checks you should make before buying a cannabis product. Look for:
- The Milligrams Per Serving: Some cans hold more than one serving, so the amount on the label and the amount in your drink can differ.
- A Current Lab Report: All products should have a corresponding Certificate of Analysis (COA). A COA from a reputable brand will list the exact amount of CBD and THC in the product, and it will be confirmed by a third-party lab. If a brand doesn't have a COA, treat it as a warning sign.
- A Low Starting Size: A product with less CBD or THC per serving allows you to assess how you respond first. If you're having THC, it's best to wait for the effects to kick in before you have more. If you'd prefer to have more control over increasing your dose gradually, CBD and THC gummies have set doses.
- Full Spectrum or Broad Spectrum: Full-spectrum products contain several other cannabinoids, as well as THC; broad-spectrum CBD also has other cannabinoids, but the THC has been removed.
Are THC and CBD Drinks Legal?
Most hemp-derived THC and CBD products are legal in the US, according to the 2018 Farm Bill, as long as they stick to the 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight limit (Congressional Research Service, 2019).
Essentially, the distinction between illegal and legal hemp products is based on this limit. However, because liquids are quite heavy, a drink can meet the federal definition of hemp but still have measurable, psychoactive THC. That's why you should look at the milligrams of THC per serving, rather than as a percentage.
Laws differ per state, and some are more restrictive, so it's best to check the rules where you live. One way to do this is to add a product to your cart, and our checkout system will automatically verify whether it can be legally shipped to your location.
Will a THC or CBD Drink Show Up on a Drug Test?
Whether THC or CBD beverages show up on drug tests depends on if the drink has THC, the type of CBD, and the type of drug test.
Because full-spectrum CBD drinks contain THC, regular use may result in detectable THC levels on a drug test. How long it stays detectable depends on how often you use it and the dose. So if you know you have a drug test coming up, it's safest to avoid THC products beforehand.
In a 2021 trial, 14 adults were given full-spectrum hemp products daily for four weeks, and they had roughly 0.80 mg of THC per day. Afterward, seven of the participants tested positive for THC on drug urine tests (Dahlgren et al., 2021).
Broad-spectrum CBD has non-detectable THC levels, so it shouldn't be detected in a drug test. Be aware that some products' labels don't correctly show the amount of THC they contain, which is why it’s important to always check the lab reports.
In a clinical trial of 17 adults who received broad-spectrum CBD doses of 15, 300, or 1,500 milligrams, none of them tested positive for THC (McCartney et al., 2022). This shows that a single CBD dose is not likely to produce a positive result.
Who Shouldn't Use Cannabis Drinks?
- Anyone Pregnant or Breastfeeding: THC can cross the placenta and pass into breast milk.
- Anyone Under the Age of 21: Cannabis can affect developing brains in terms of memory, attention span, and decision-making.
- Drivers: A THC drink can slow down your reaction time.
- Anyone Taking Medication: CBD can affect how the liver clears other substances, so talk to your doctor before taking CBD or THC if you're on medication.
- Anyone Drinking Alcohol Too: Combining cannabis drinks with alcohol amplifies the effects.
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2025)
FAQs
How Long Do the Effects of a THC Drink Last?
You usually feel the effects of a THC drink within 15 minutes to 1 hour, and the effects tend to ease off a few hours later. How much and what you've eaten, the dosage amount, your metabolism, and whether you've consumed other substances can all change how long the effects last (MacCallum & Russo, 2018).
What Is Worse for Your Liver, Alcohol or THC?
Alcohol has a much more established link to liver damage, but THC's effect on the liver is less understood. Long-term or heavy alcohol use can lead to hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis, but evidence to date for cannabinoids doesn’t show the same patterns of liver damage as alcohol (Adejumo et al., 2018).
Can You Drink a THC Beverage Every Day?
Most adults can safely enjoy a THC drink as part of their wellness routine. Many Cypress Hemp customers enjoy THC drinks regularly, socially, or as an occasional wind-down.
Regular THC use can build tolerance, so over time, you may need more to feel the same effects. More frequent cannabis use is also associated with a greater risk of cannabis use disorder, especially with higher-THC products (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024).
It’s worth paying attention to things like:
- Finding it difficult to cut back
- Craving THC
- Using more than you planned
- Using it even when you’re noticing negative effects
If needed, spending a few days THC-free is an effective way to reset or reduce THC tolerance.
Conclusion
Both THC and CBD drinks give you a quick, social way to enjoy cannabis, but there are some major differences between the two. The effects can also be influenced by the formulation, the dose, individual factors, and whether you drink it with other substances, like alcohol.
Before having a cannabis drink, check the THC and CBD content per serving, and look for a sign of reliable lab testing to confirm whether it has THC or not. And remember, start low and go slow.
Essentially, a little label-checking before you drink can go a long way towards knowing exactly what you’re getting.
Note: These statements haven't been evaluated by the FDA, and this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
References
- Adejumo, A. C., Ajayi, T. O., Adegbala, O. M., Adejumo, K. L., Alliu, S., Akinjero, A. M., Onyeakusi, N. E., Ojelabi, O., & Bukong, T. N. (2018). Cannabis use is associated with reduced prevalence of progressive stages of alcoholic liver disease. Liver International, 38(8), 1475–1486.
- Berl, V., Hurd, Y. L., Lipshutz, B. H., Roggen, M., Mathur, E. J., & Evans, M. (2022). A randomized, triple-blind, comparator-controlled parallel study investigating the pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol in a novel delivery system, Solutech, in association with cannabis use history. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 7(6), 777–789.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, December 5). Understanding your risk for cannabis use disorder. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, January 31). Cannabis and pregnancy. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Congressional Research Service. (2019). Defining hemp: A fact sheet (Report No. R44742).
- Congressional Research Service. (2026). Changes to the statutory definition of hemp and implications for agricultural policy (Report No. IF13136).
- Dahlgren, M. K., Sagar, K. A., Lambros, A. M., Smith, R. T., & Gruber, S. A. (2021). Urinary tetrahydrocannabinol after 4 weeks of a full-spectrum, high-cannabidiol treatment in an open-label clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 78(3), 335–337.
- Health Canada. (2025). Cannabis for medical purposes: Using a cannabis product. Government of Canada.
- Kruger, J. S., Felicione, N., & Kruger, D. J. (2026). The exploration of cannabis beverage substitution for alcohol: A novel harm reduction strategy. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 1–7.
- Laprairie, R. B., Bagher, A. M., Kelly, M. E. M., & Denovan-Wright, E. M. (2015). Cannabidiol is a negative allosteric modulator of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor. British Journal of Pharmacology, 172(20), 4790–4805.
- Lucas, C. J., Galettis, P., & Schneider, J. (2018). The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 84(11), 2477–2482.
- MacCallum, C. A., & Russo, E. B. (2018). Practical considerations in medical cannabis administration and dosing. European Journal of Internal Medicine, 49, 12–19.
- McCartney, D., Kevin, R. C., Suraev, A. S., Irwin, C., Grunstein, R. R., Hoyos, C. M., & McGregor, I. S. (2022). Orally administered cannabidiol does not produce false-positive tests for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on the Securetec DrugWipe 5S or Dräger DrugTest 5000. Drug Testing and Analysis, 14(1), 137–143.
- Poyatos, L., Pérez-Acevedo, A. P., Papaseit, E., Pérez-Mañá, C., Martin, S., Hladun, O., Siles, A., Torrens, M., Busardo, F. P., & Farré, M. (2020). Oral administration of cannabis and Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) preparations: A systematic review. Medicina, 56(6), Article 309.
- Staples, A. J. (2024). Canning cannabis: Consumer preferences for CBD- and THC-infused beverages. Journal of Wine Economics, 19(4), 313–334.
- Townsend, R., Ramani, A., Rodriguez, E., Haughian, J. M., & Stewart, L. K. (2024). Low dose daily CBD beverage consumption for eight weeks does not improve physical and mental health measures in healthy individuals: A randomized clinical trial. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity - Integrative, 5, Article 100048.
- Zhang, S. S., Zhang, N. N., Guo, T. T., Sheen, L. Y., Ho, C. T., & Bai, N. S. (2022). The impact of phyto- and endo-cannabinoids on central nervous system diseases: A review. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 13(1), 30–38.
