A Guide to THC-infused Beverages

Disclaimer: The information provided here is intended solely for informational and entertainment purposes. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.

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Introduction

With the cannabis landscape constantly evolving, THC-infused beverages have become exceedingly popular. According to a Forbes article, THC-infused beverages have become increasingly sought-after products in recent years.

It's a fantastic way to get cannabinoids into your system without having to inhale smoke or vapor, and it provides a different experience than eating solid edibles as well.

However, cannabis infused beverages are still quite new to the market, so many people might not know what they are, how they work, how they make you feel, or even how to make them at home. 

Today, we give you an in-depth guide on THC-infused beverages, and we're even going to teach you how to make your own!

Key Takeaways

• THC-infused beverages are becoming more popular and make for a great alternative to other forms of cannabis edibles.
• Although buying cannabis infused beverages is certainly a great choice, it is also possible to make your own.
• By choosing the right flavors, base liquids, strains of cannabis, and extracts, you can concoct a virtually endless selection of THC-infused beverages.

If you want to make life easier, and you want to skip the lengthy process of making your own cannabis extract or tincture to make beverages with, check out our awesome collection of Botany Farms Tinctures!

Introduction to THC-Infused Beverages

Many people see THC-infused drinks as a great alternative to alcoholic beverages, because they produce a nice buzz, all without that nasty hangover.

The Rise of THC Beverages in the Market

There is no doubt that the cannabis and hemp market is currently thriving, and one of the newest additions that seems to be gaining ground is the THC-infused beverage.

Although the market for THC-infused beverages may not be growing quite as quickly as industry experts first anticipated, it is still on the rise nonetheless.

According to official statistics, it’s a small but growing market. And, there are a number of reasons why THC-infused drinks are becoming so popular, as they come with a number of benefits and advantages. 

Understanding How THC Beverages Work

When you drink any beverage infused with THC, it goes through your stomach and digestive system. Once the THC hits your stomach lining, it is absorbed and eventually ends up in your gastrointestinal tract.

Once in the gastrointestinal tract, it goes to your liver. Something interesting happens here; the liver converts THC into 11-hydroxy-THC, a more potent metabolite than regular Delta-9 THC, up to three times more potent.

This new form of THC then enters your bloodstream, crosses the blood brain barrier, and interacts with the cannabinoid receptors, ultimately leading to the therapeutic and medicinal effects that you're looking for.

THC beverages generally take effect much faster than regular edibles, because liquids are digested faster than solid foods. It also means that the effects don’t last quite as long as with regular solid edibles, something we'll touch on further below.

Crafting Your THC Beverage: A Step-by-Step Guide

Thinking of crafting your own THC beverage? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help!

Selecting the Right Ingredients and Flavors

As far as ingredients are concerned, the cannabis extract is, of course, the most important ingredient. As we explain below, we recommend making a cannabis tincture with a strain of your choosing.

The strain you choose should be ideal for you in terms of its potency and effects. This means checking out its THC level and strain type, i.e., whether it's an indica or sativa.

However, that's not the only thing that matters here. You also need to consider the flavor of the strain. Cannabis strains all have different terpene profiles, which dictates their flavor and aroma. You want to closely consider the flavor profile of the cannabis strain so you can do flavor matching.

For example, mixing a cannabis strain that tastes like citrus with lemonade would complement each other well, whereas mixing a strain with diesel flavor with apple juice might not be quite as enjoyable, so this is an important consideration.

The strain isn't the only important consideration because the base liquid matters as well. The most common liquids to use include coffee, tea, fruit juices, sparkling water, kombucha, syrups, or, in some cases, even store-bought sodas. Some people also infuse alcohol, such as vodka or rum.

If you want to take things to the next level, you might also try using some flavoring agents. These could include, but are not limited to, citrus zest, herbs and spices, and even natural or artificial flavorings, such as extracts that you might use in baking.

It might take a bit of trial and error to get the flavor profile right, but once you manage to combine a tasty strain with a good beverage and some additional flavor components, you should end up with a delectable THC-infused beverage that not only tastes good, but will also get you high.

The Process of Infusing THC into Beverages

The first step in the process of infusing THC into beverages is first getting that THC out of your raw cannabis flower. If you want to make this process much easier, you can always buy cannabis extracts, such as THC oils and tinctures online, but for the fun of it, we want to teach you how to do this yourself.

The Best Way to Infuse THC into Drinks – The Tincture

Keeping in mind that we want to make this process as easy and safe for you as possible, we aren't going to teach you how to perform dangerous cannabinoid extraction processes, such as CO2 or butane extraction.

Both CO2 cannabinoid extraction and butane-based CO2 extraction involve dangerous processes where solvents are fired through raw cannabis flower under immense pressure, with the solvents absorbing the cannabinoids, before being removed using heat. 

There is a much easier way to infuse THC into beverages, which is by making a tincture. A tincture is a high-proof alcohol-based THC infusion that you can pour into a drink, e.g., a glass of juice, a cup of coffee, a shot of vodka, or any other concoction your heart desires. Making a tincture is also much safer, easier, and more cost-effective than butane or CO2 extraction.

Furthermore, butane and CO2-based extracts are often hydrophobic, which means that they don’t mix well with water. This can make the beverage infusion process difficult. A tincture, however, is not hydrophobic and easily mixes with any liquid to create a homogenous mixture.

How to Make a THC Tincture – Step by Step

Making your own THC tincture is not difficult, and if you follow the steps below, you'll have your own soon enough.

• First, select your preferred cannabis strain. Considerations to keep in mind include potency, strain type, and desired effects. You could always try smoking the strain before to test if it's right for you. You need roughly one gram of raw cannabis flour for every ounce of liquid.
• You'll need some high-proof alcohol, (like Everclear as it is 190 proof, or 95% alcohol). The alcohol needs to be high-proof to extract the cannabinoids from the raw cannabis flower.
• Take the cannabis buds and break them down into smaller pieces, but don't turn them into powder.
• You need to decarboxylate the cannabis to activate the THC, or else your tincture won't be psychoactive at all. Preheat your oven to 220°F, spread out the buds in a single layer, and bake them for around 30 minutes.
• Take your broken down cannabis buds and place them inside of a glass Mason jar with a tight-fitting lid.
• Pour the high proof alcohol over the cannabis until it is fully covered.
• Put on the lid so that it is 100% tight, and give it a good shake.
• Put this in the refrigerator and away from light, shaking it twice per day to ensure maximum extraction.
• To get the most THC out of the raw cannabis flower and into the alcohol tincture, you'll want to wait for anywhere between two and six months. Yes, it's a lengthy process, but this is why it makes sense to make a large batch at once.

If this all sounds like a hassle, then an easier route is to simply purchase a premade THC tincture.

The Benefits and Uses of THC-infused Beverages

There are various benefits of THC-infused beverages compared to other forms of cannabis, so let's take a quick look at what these might be.

Why Choose THC Beverages Over Other Forms

Sure, you could smoke cannabis flower, vaporize an extract, or even eat a brownie or gummy, but there are some reasons why a THC beverage might suit you best. So, what are the benefits of THC beverages?

They’re Fast Acting

Cannabis beverages are fast acting. They may not kick in faster than smoking or vaporizing, but cannabis beverages hit you faster than solid edibles. If you like the high of edibles, but hate waiting so long, then it's a beverage that you want. Something like this tasty Botany Farms THC Shot shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes for you to feel it!

They Don’t Weigh You Down

Another benefit of the THC-infused drink is that it's generally going to be quite light. Unlike a cannabis brownie or other heavy edible, it's not going to fill you up. You'll still have room for other drinks and snacks. Something like a cannabis iced tea is cool, sweet, and refreshing too!

They’re Tasty and Hydrating

Cannabis infused drinks are just enjoyable! Between all of the different options out there, whether juice, soda, coffee, tea, kombucha, or THC-infused alcoholic beverages, you're bound to find at least something that works for you.

No Hangover

Drinking alcohol always ends up the same way; with you feeling absolutely terrible the next morning. However, besides potentially feeling a little groggy and sleepy the next day, THC-infused beverages don't produce that same gut wrenching hangover as alcohol does.

No Smoke or Vapor

Many people also prefer cannabis infused beverages because they don't involve inhalation. Understandably, some people are worried about the negative consequences of inhaling smoke or vapor, in which case an edible or beverage is, by far, the better option.

Portable and Discreet

A small can or thermos full of your favorite THC-infused beverage is super portable and discreet too. Unlike with vaping or smoking, nobody's going to see huge clouds around you, and it doesn't smell either.

The Social and Medicinal Advantages

It sounds funny to say that THC-infused beverages have social advantages, but they do. Mainly, they're beneficial for people who want to hang out with their friends without having to drink alcohol.

Many of us, when we hang out with a group of friends who are drinking, might feel pressured to also drink alcohol, or else we might feel left out or even made fun of. 

However, with a THC-infused beverage in your hand, this is no longer a problem. It allows you to still remain social and a part of the group, without feeling left out, plus you even get to experience a nice buzz too.

As far as the medicinal advantages of THC-infused beverages go, we aren't going to go too deep into this right now. 

However, according to research, THC has the potential to help on a variety of fronts, including, but not limited to mood regulation, decreasing symptoms related with anxiety and stress, inflammation and pain relief, acting as a sleep aid, inducing hunger, and more.

How Long Do THC Beverages Last?

THC beverages aren't quite the same as solid edibles in terms of how fast they hit you and how long they last.

Understanding the Duration of Effects

To provide you with a baseline, solid THC edibles, due to how they are digested, may last for anywhere between 8 and 12 hours. It’s not uncommon to even feel residual effects the next day.

However, beverages are digested by the body faster than solids. This means that they also pass through your system faster, with THC drink effects usually lasting for anywhere between 3 and 6 hours.

Factors Influencing the Longevity of THC Beverages

There are a few factors to consider as far as the longevity of the effects is concerned. For instance, your own metabolism makes a big difference. If you have a fast metabolism, the THC will work its way through your system much faster, and therefore the high won't last as long compared to if you had a slower metabolism.

The overall potency and amount of THC beverage you drink makes a difference as well. The stronger the THC drink is, and the more of it you drink, the longer it will last. Your body size makes a difference too, at least in terms of how high you will feel. Generally speaking, the larger you are, the more it will take to get you high.

How Long Do THC Beverages Take to Kick In?

One of the really neat parts about THC beverages is that they kick in much faster than regular edibles.

The Onset Time of THC Beverages

It takes the human body much longer to digest solid food than it does liquids. This means that although it might take between 30 and 120 minutes to feel that brownie or gummy worm, it should only take 10 or 20 minutes to feel that THC-infused beverage. Exactly how long the onset time is depends on various factors, such as those mentioned above.

Tips for a Timely and Enjoyable Experience

Let's quickly go over some tips to help make your THC-infused cannabis beverage consumption experience as enjoyable as possible.

• If you are a beginner, always start slow with small doses, otherwise known as microdosing. In many cases, 2.5mg of THC is enough to get a buzz going, with 5mg being more than enough for a beginner.
• Choose the type of cannabis, especially as far as the strain is concerned. Remember, sativa strains are generally uplifting whereas indica strains are more sedating. Depending on the circumstances, this can be an important distinction.
• Just like with alcohol, the trick with THC-infused beverages is to consume responsibly. Know your limits and don't go past them. If you exceed your limits, stop consuming the beverage immediately, drink water, and get some fresh air.
• Always consume THC-infused beverages in a calm area. This is especially the case if it's your first time, or if you are prone to anxiety. A calm and quiet space is always best.
• Always be with at least one other person, especially if it's your first time trying one.
• You can always try creating a bit of an ambiance too, particularly by putting on your favorite movie or by listening to some music.
• While it may be tempting to consume alcohol and cannabis together, combining them will greatly intensify how intoxicated you feel. In many cases, if done incorrectly, you end up feeling sick.

Legal and Safety Considerations

Although THC-infused beverages are becoming popular, there are some legal and safety considerations to keep in mind.

Navigating the Legal Landscape of THC Beverages

The legal landscape of THC beverages is complicated. THC is legal in some states but not in others, so it's important that you do your research first. If you live in a state where THC is legal, making your own THC-infused beverages should be totally fine.

However, if you live in a state where THC is not legal, or producing THC-infused edibles or beverages is not legal, then you'll unfortunately need to avoid them for the time being. 

The bottom line is that you always want to do thorough research about the legal status of THC and cannabis in general where you live before making any decision.

Best Practices for Safe and Responsible Consumption

Let’s go over a few tips about staying safe and responsible when consuming cannabis-infused beverages.

• The laws surrounding DUI with cannabis are virtually the same as with alcohol. Never consume THC and drive or operate heavy machinery.
• After consuming a THC-infused beverage, do not operate power tools or other dangerous objects.
• As a responsible citizen, it's up to you to know that in the vast majority of places, consuming cannabis in a public location is illegal. Therefore, responsible consumption means consuming your cannabis drink privately.
• If you are in a state where it is illegal to do so, do not try to purchase, consume, or manufacture your own THC-infused beverages.
• If this is your first time consuming a THC-infused cannabis drink, do not drink more than 2.5mg worth of THC before waiting for at least 30 minutes to see how it affects you.

Conclusion: Embracing the World of THC-infused Beverages

You should now know exactly how to make your own THC-infused beverages, including the important factors to look out for.

If you follow the tips provided in this THC-infused drinks guide, then your next experience should most certainly be an enjoyable one. As far as how to consume THC drinks is concerned, always be safe and responsible, and remember to start slow.

The Future of Cannabis Consumption

The future of cannabis consumption appears to be bright, especially because, according to the latest polls, most Americans favor legalization.

This goes hand in hand with the official estimate that the cannabis market in the United states is going to reach a record-breaking $39.85 billion by the end of 2024, with edible and beverage sales alone predicted to account for nearly $6 billion.

Seeing as cannabis drinks are becoming more popular, it only serves to reason that more people will begin enjoying them. It’s not just in the USA either, because the Canadians certainly seem to like their cannabis infused drinks too!

Finding Your Perfect THC Beverage Experience

Finding your perfect THC beverage experience is all about choosing the right strain of cannabis, the right potency, and mixing the right flavors. Once you get the flavor profile right, the world is your oyster. 

If you're good at mixing different flavors and coming up with cool concoctions, there is no limit to the amount of amazing THC-infused beverages you can make.

A Guide to THC-infused Beverages: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to your most frequently asked questions about THC-infused drinks.

What makes THC-infused beverages different from other cannabis products?

THC-infused beverages offer a discreet, convenient, and enjoyable way to consume cannabis, with effects kicking in quicker than with edibles.

How can I ensure a safe experience with THC-infused beverages?

Start with a low dose, understand your tolerance, and be aware of the legal regulations in your area.

Sources:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6374540/
• https://www.statista.com/topics/11838/cannabis-beverages-in-the-united-states/#topicOverview
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2023/12/01/why-hemp-derived-thc-drinks-are-riding-high/?sh=17ea93cc7735
• https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/medical-marijuana-faq
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3998228/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425767/
• https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/19/well/eat/weed-cannabis-drinks.html
• https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/111015/future-marijuana-industry-america.asp
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