Important things to know about hemp and marijuana drinks

Hemp and marijuana drinks account for about $4 billion in sales and are only getting bigger. Tasty, intoxicating, and available in most states, here are some important things to know about hemp and marijuana drinks. You may enjoy one or both, but where, how and what happens is different for both.

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Hemp or CBD drinks are made by infusing hemp extract, derived from the cannabis plant, into a liquid base. The most popular hemp-infused drinks include water, juice, tea and coffee. One of the big differences between marijuana and hemp drinks is the “high.” With Delta-9 hemp, consumers tend to have a more intense experience and onset more quickly than THC. A euphoric high occurs when sensory perception is altered and a feeling of relaxation occurs.

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THC or marijuana drinks must be digested (like an edible) for the THC to enter the bloodstream. It takes between 15 and 20 minutes to take effect, with the effects peaking after around 45 minutes. The high from a marijuana drink can be unpredictable and potentially more intense.

Another big difference is that 47 of the 50 US states and DC have legalized the sale and use of hemp-derived CBD products. Bayou City in Texas is a large brand sold in mainstream retail. Cannabis drinks, a growing market but still lagging far behind gummies, can only be purchased in the 24 legal recreational states.

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Other scientists found that the inserts in aluminum cans caused the drinks to lose their effectiveness. These liners are used for a variety of reasons, including extending the shelf life of the product, preventing corrosion of the can and, most importantly, protecting the taste of the drinks themselves. Without these liners, the natural metallic taste of aluminum would penetrate the drinks.

“Our theory is that the cannabis material, the droplets, stick to the liner and stick to it. When you open the can to drink something, it loses its potency,” said Vertosa founder Harold Han.