Can cannabis and hemp-infused beverages replace your alcoholic drinking habits?

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.

If you live in a legal state, chances are you’ve seen at least a few different types of cannabis-infused soft drinks. From infused wines, beers, seltzer, sparkling water and pre-mixed cocktails, the selection is intriguing and interesting to say the least.

Manufacturers have figured out how to properly infuse drinks and provide consumers with a tasty drink that may very well replace alcohol. They taste just as good – sometimes even better – and they get you high, or at least chill you.

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Experts say the market for marijuana-infused beverages could be worth $2.8 billion annually by 2025. However, many think these estimates are actually conservative since the drug is still illegal nationwide, but they could change drastically if the tides shift.

Given how accessible marijuana-infused beverages are now, you can literally substitute them in situations where you would normally drink alcohol: at parties, at home, when hanging out with friends, even at festivals and concerts. They are ready to drink, tasty and offer a similar experience to alcohol but without the alcohol. Instead, you can choose between different levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or cannabidiol (CBD). But could getting high be a good alternative to getting drunk?

Customize your experience

Cannabis drinks come in a variety of THC and CBD levels. From a mild 2mg of THC to 10 servings of 10mg THC in one drink, the possibilities are virtually endless.

Newcomers to the cannabis drink game can start with low doses and gradually increase your consumption, giving you more control over how high you want to get. For many people, 20mg of THC is enough to get a good high without wasting too much. Metering your drinks like alcohol gives you more control for an enjoyable, guilt-free experience.

Ideal for beginners

Beginners have a wide range of low-dose THC cannabis drinks out there. You don’t have to worry about getting too high, as low-dose drinks let you enjoy social (or lonely!) “drinking” situations at your leisure. Just take smaller sips so you can gradually enjoy the effects. While ingesting a THC gummy can have the same effect, a full can or serving of a THC-infused beverage will also have the same effect.

Health Benefits

By replacing alcohol with cannabis drinks, you can enjoy a wide range of therapeutic and medicinal effects. From reducing inflammation to treating anxiety, depression and even physical pain, drinking cannabis beverages can make you feel so much better than you ever expected. Meanwhile, drinking alcohol does the opposite: numerous studies have shown the link between alcohol consumption and health problems: liver disease, breast cancer, increased anxiety, and more.

Creative ways to drink

Cannabis drinks can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They also make delicious blenders: you can simply add them to your soft drink of choice or use them as a blender to make your own bespoke cannabis infusion. Float a marijuana ice cream cone, turn it into a popsicle, enjoy it neat… the possibilities for a good time are practically endless.

CBD for a relaxing time

There are also CBD-infused drinks for those who prefer not to get high. Instead, you can rely on CBD drinks for a more relaxing high. These can be consumed at social gatherings and even replace your wine habit as they are also sedative and can be taken before bed.

In addition, CBD drinks offer many powerful health benefits such as fighting inflammation, cancer, and anxiety. They’re also aimed at more health-conscious consumers who don’t want to get fired.

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Improved Mood

When you’re having a tough or stressful day, cannabis drinks can boost your mood without the hassle of lighting up or smoking a joint.

In fact, you don’t even need a lot of it: a low-dose drink with just 5mg of THC is all you need to feel better. In the past, you might have reached for a bottle of alcohol to make yourself feel better at the end of a crappy day. But with cannabis-infused beverages, a small amount will help lift the spirits. Studies have shown that cannabis does indeed do an effective job of improving well-being; it stabilizes your mood and reduces emotional symptoms you may have when struggling with depression or anxiety.

Who do cannabis drinks appeal to the most?

Sure, maybe cannabis-infused beverages aren’t for everyone; Some people might still prefer a glass of wine or a cocktail, while others still prefer to drink something edible or smoke a joint. However, if you already enjoy CBD or THC in reasonable amounts and prefer to actually vape or smoke it, then cannabis drinks could be for you.

They are a generally milder form in a socially accepted format (drink) that also offers the same benefits that you would get from THC or CBD. Additionally, individuals who have health conditions such as asthma that prevent them from smoking can see the value of cannabis beverages.

In addition, recovering alcoholics can also benefit. Even those who sometimes tend to overdo it and occasionally faint with alcohol, cannabis drinks can bring you the same social benefits but still act as a safe middle ground so you don’t have to fall off the wagon. And you’re not completely sober either.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.