The Growing Popularity and Danger of THC “Drinkables”
As legalized marijuana (aka cannabis, weed, THC, etc.) has become increasingly common and popular, those who profit from it are always looking for new ways to cash in. One of the fastest-growing segments in this burgeoning market are “drinkables,” which are any sort of beverage or additive infused with THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
These products are also commonly called THC drinks, cannabis drinks, or cannabis-infused beverages.
As might be expected in a marketplace where there is a lot of money and little regulation, problems are emerging. Science and the law have not been able to keep pace with the increasing number of drinkables, leading to little knowledge about long-term effects, mislabeled products, combinations of ingredients that are known to create greater potential for abuse and addiction, and a false perception of safety.
What Are THC Beverages?
THC beverages, or drinkables, are drinks infused with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. They come in a wide variety of forms, including:
- Sparkling waters
- Sodas
- Energy drinks
- Lemonades
- Cocktails (non-alcoholic)
- Drink mixes
- Liquid enhancers
- Water-soluble powders and syrups
Marketing for drinkables includes claims that THC drinkables get the consumer the “buzz” they want faster than THC-infused foods. Unfortunately, while this is appealing to the user, it also sets them up to misjudge how much to drink and how quickly.
Why You Should Be Concerned About THC Drinkables
There are several reasons to think twice before consuming THC drinkables.
First and foremost, there is relatively little research on drinkables. What there is suggests that they are nowhere near as safe as people seem to assume.
When scientists have studied drinkables, they have found that there is a lot of mislabeling going on.¹ Product analyses show that many of the drinks have significantly more THC (and sometimes a lot less) than what is shown on the label. This means that consumers can’t accurately judge how much THC they are getting in a drink. Labels also sometimes fail to disclose various THC-related ingredients, and many don’t give accurate ratios of THC to CBD, which turns out to be pretty important.
This makes THC drink dosage difficult to judge, especially when the actual THC content does not match the label.
That’s because researchers have found that manufacturers are trying new combinations of active ingredients, some of which are turning out to be more dangerous than consumers might think. One that is becoming increasingly popular is mixing caffeine with THC and CBD (another marijuana product). While caffeine and THC together haven’t been shown to be dangerous, when CBD is added, users find they feel significantly more “high,” and they do worse on tasks such as driving tests.²
Why THC Drinkables Are Not Just “Weed in a Can”
THC drinkables may seem like a new way to use a familiar drug, but the science suggests otherwise.
Many of these products use water-soluble THC, often referred to as “nanoemulsified,” and our bodies absorb this very differently than something smoked or eaten. This leads to rapid absorption with unpredictable effects.
People who are used to smoking marijuana may still not know how these beverages will affect them, especially if ingredients are not labeled correctly or are mixed in ways the consumer doesn’t understand, as we saw above.
They may find themselves consuming more than they intended, becoming intoxicated faster and more intensely than they thought, and not knowing how long the effects will last. THC overconsumption is known to increase lethargy, addiction potential, and vulnerability to psychosis and schizophrenia.³ When people don’t know how much they are getting and how hard it will hit them, it only puts them at greater risk.
THC Powders and Syrups Present Additional Risks
Some of the newer products in the increasingly crowded field are THC powders and syrups sold in small packets. These are advertised as being flavorless and odorless, meaning they can be added to practically anything without detection.⁴
This presents a set of risks on top of everything already covered in this post. Unlike most pre-mixed drinks, these packets make it easy to stack several doses into the same drink simply by pouring more than one packet into whatever someone might be drinking already. Since this doesn’t require more liquid to be consumed, there may be an illusion that the user isn’t overdoing it, while the actual effects are unpredictable.
There is also an obvious danger to a tasteless and odorless intoxicant: it can be given to someone without their consent. While this should not be overhyped as a “date rape” drug, it’s not hard to imagine that someone could be gotten high without ever wanting to. It’s notable that experts are already expressing alarm about how these products are being marketed and used.⁵
Can THC Drinks Be Addictive?
Yes. THC drinks are another way of consuming THC, so they can still contribute to tolerance, dependence, and cannabis use disorder in some people.
The form may be different, but the addiction risk does not disappear just because THC is consumed as a beverage instead of smoked or eaten.
Our Approach at Windmill Wellness Ranch
At Windmill, we have been aware of the dangers of marijuana and THC products since we opened, and we have been helping clients and their families when consumption gets out of hand and lives are impacted.
We don’t just help people understand and address drug use, we help them navigate underlying mental health concerns, along with teaching practical techniques to stay sober and live a great life.
We also include families in our treatment, because the more support someone has, the better their chances of recovery.
Every day, we see that when people believe they can recover and feel good about themselves, they are much more likely to find hope and healing. We specialize in compassionate, evidence-based treatment for both addiction and trauma, helping individuals and families rebuild stability and hope. If you or someone you love needs support, we are here. Call 830-223-2055 or contact us online to take the first step toward healing.
References
- Froude, A. M., Pangborn, N., Britz-McKibbin, P., MacKillop, J., & Balodis, I. (2024). Potential risks from cannabis-infused beverages: a critical review. Cannabis, 7(3), 134-166.
- Strickland, J. C., Tilton, H. E., Patton, N. M., Vandrey, R., Austin Zamarripa, C., Spindle, T. R., … & Bonn-Miller, M. O. (2025). Effect of caffeine and cannabidiol (CBD) co-administration on Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) subjective effects, performance impairment, and pharmacokinetics. Neuropsychopharmacology, 50(12), 1827-1835.
- Rittiphairoj, T., Leslie, L., Oberste, J. P., Yim, T. W., Tung, G., Bero, L., … & Li, T. (2025). High-concentration delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis products and mental health outcomes: a systematic review. Annals of Internal Medicine, 178(10), 1429-1440.
- Berman, L. (2021). Cannabis Capitalism in Colorado: An Ethnography of Il/legal Production and Consumption (Doctoral dissertation, University of South Florida).
- Howard, C., Mekhail, J., & Ravikoff, L. (2026). The Need for Oversight of Unflavored Cannabis Drink Mixers. Pediatrics, 157(2), e2025074358.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are THC drinks safer than alcohol?
They are often marketed that way, but the evidence is not there to support these claims.
Can THC drinks become addictive?
Absolutely. THC can be addictive, and many of these drinks don’t really let consumers know how much THC they are getting and whether it is being mixed with other ingredients to make it even more addictive.
Aren’t THC drinks the same idea as edibles?
Not really. It can look that way at first glance, but our bodies absorb liquid ingredients differently, and in these drinks it’s often faster and more intense.
Can THC powders and syrups be detected in a drink?
Not currently. These products are advertised as being odorless and tasteless, so they could be added to anything, with or without the consumer even knowing it, let alone how much has been added.
Can’t I just read the label to see what I’m drinking?
Not always. Independent testing has found that some cannabis products contain different amounts of THC than indicated on their labels or fail to accurately disclose other cannabinoids present.
