A cannabis-infused beverage that mimics the predictable, fast-acting effects of alcohol is the Holy Grail of the cannabis industry. Multinational liquor brands are positioning themselves for a long-predicted federally legal U.S. market. 

As of now, 18 U.S. states—plus Washington, D.C., Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands—have legalized adult-use (or recreational) cannabis within their borders as of May 2022. Several bills making their way through Congress to legalize the plant are in various stages. Meanwhile, scientific work  continues before cannabis beverages will give you that quick buzz you get while sipping a strong alcoholic beverage at a bar.

But we’re getting closer. Here are some of the best cannabis beverages out there. And while we couldn’t exactly hit every legal state—primarily because they’re still working out the details of their adult-use rules (or are just plain weird)—we touch on all of them and even squeeze in a few medical-only states.

Ripple

Colorado and Michigan

Denver-based Ripple is known for its fast-acting formulas in both gummies and dissolvables. In fact, a 2021 study by academics at Colorado State University found that its products “hit” users much faster—as quickly as twice as fast—than other market-leading consumables. Ripple’s QuickDissolves products come discreetly in powder form, which you can then add to a soda, beer, bottle of water, or glass of wine. Quick Dissolves are as close to flavorless as cannabis products come. Ripple can be found at cannabis retail outlets in Michigan and Colorado.

Keef

Arizona, California, Colorado, Oklahoma, Maine, Missouri, and Puerto Rico

Another Denver-based company with a much bigger footprint is Keef. Keef is a cannabis concentrates manufacturer that also makes canned, spiked soda. Whether you’re looking for traditional cola and root beer flavors or something more exotic like Blackberry Coconut and Purple Passion, Keef’s got you covered—and in a wide variety of locales. You can purchase Keef legally in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oklahoma, Maine, Missouri, and Puerto Rico (medical only). If you’re heading up north, you’ll find Keef in Ontario and Saskatchewan, Canada.

Cann

Illinois, Nevada, Rhode Island, and New Jersey

Several emerging cannabis markets are the first outside of California to access Cann, a “social tonic” manufactured by Chicago-based cannabis giant Green Thumb Industries. The beverage, made of not-from-concentrate fruit juice and organic agave nectar, is dosed at just 2 milligrams of THC and CBD. It was already a big hit in The Golden State. Illinois, Nevada, Rhode Island, and New Jersey, which just opened up its adult-use cannabis market in April, will enjoy the beverage in its three flavors—Lemon Lavender, Grapefruit Rosemary, and Blood Orange Cardamom—following a recently-announced expansion. 

Good Feels

Massachusetts

If you’re in Massachusetts and feel left out, have no worries: Good Feels is here for you. The minority-owned, Medway-based company just dropped four THC-infused seltzers and two “beverage enhancers” in flavors like Black Cherry, Raspberry Apple, Lemon Lime, and even “Flavorless.” Each 12-ounce bottle is infused with 3 milligrams of THC and 2 milligrams of CBD for a mellow buzz that’s meant to be fast-acting. Good Feels’ packaging is also sustainable—sold in “infinitely recyclable glass bottles within a carbon-neutral facility using 100% renewable energy,” according to the company.

Wync

Arizona, Maine, Michigan, Massachusetts, Missouri and Oklahoma, Ohio, and Arkansas

Wync THC and Seltzer, which calls itself “the most widely distributed cannabis seltzer beverage in the United States,” just launched in New Mexico—one of the newest legal markets. With flavors like Juicy Mango, Lime Twist, and Black Cherry Fizz, these low-dose beverages that contain 2.5 milligrams each of THC and CBD are also available in rec states Arizona, Maine, Michigan, Massachusetts, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Wync’s seltzer can also is available in medical-only states Ohio and Arkansas.

You missed my state!

Oregon, Montana, Alaska, Vermont, New York, Virginia, Connecticut, Washington, D.C.

Some states are too new, too small, or just plain weird. Here’s the breakdown of the remaining legal adult-use states.

Very few multistate cannabis beverage brands appear to be available in Oregon. Among the most popular cannabis-infused beverages is a cannabis concentrate made using frozen plants that naturally maintain many of the cannabinoids (CBD, for example) added (separately) to the previously listed beverages. Magic Number beverages come in Lime, Berry, Passion Fruit, and Tonic flavors.

One of Washington state’s most popular brands, Major, is “designed to deliver high doses of THC in a small 6.7 fluid-ounce juice beverage,” according to the company. Its motto is, “Major packs a major punch.” It comes in Orange Mango, Pink Lemonade, Blue Raspberry, Passion Fruit, and Grape flavors.

Montana’s top beverage’s motto is “Skip the seltzer. Grab a Sinful.” Sinful Beverages’ flavors include Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Huckleberry Lemonade, and Sweet Mango. Watch out, though: Each bottle contains 85 milligrams of THC. 

Alaska’s Fire Eater is like an energy drink, but with 5 milligrams of THC. It comes in Orange, Pineapple, and Strawberry flavors.

In Vermont, cannabis is recreationally legal, but there’s nowhere to buy it. This is expected to change this year.

New York has yet to fully spell out or implement its recreational cannabis rules, leading to mass confusion and frustration.

Virginia is a brand-new legal state (and the first in the South), but a regulated market won’t launch until 2024.

Connecticut, meanwhile, is still doling out licenses for infused products.

Washington, D.C., meanwhile, allows possession of cannabis, but not the sale of it.

Wherever you live, have fun and be safe as you enjoy the cocktail legal for you to consume.

By Rebecca Olmos | TheCannifornian.com Correspondent

While there are a good amount of nonalcoholic spirits on grocery store shelves, why not indulge in a cannabis-infused beverage? Canna-beverages not only replace the alcohol you’re used to having in hand, but they also help keep your spirits lifted. Also, because of the nano-emulsification process needed to break the THC down into drinkable form, cannabis-infused beverages offer a rapid onset (within 15 minutes) and rapid offset, so you can catch a buzz but still be able to move on with your evening.

Here are five delicious infused drinks to try:

1. CANN

CANN social tonics come in two different options, CBD/THC microdose flavors (four milligrams of CBD and two of THC) and their new Hi-Boy cans that are a light 5-milligram dosage. They come in a few different flavors, including grapefruit rosemary, blood orange cardamom, and lemon lavender. 

These delta-8 infused drinks are excellent for consumers looking for a little bit of a higher dosage. While they do offer a light CBD ‘sessions’ version, their classic 1:1 10 milligrams THC:10 milligrams Delta 8 ‘higher vibes’ drinks elevate the vibe just right. They come in lemon ginger, blood-orange bitters, watermelon basil, and lemon hibiscus.

These lemonades are one of the most delicious beverages I’ve come across. They offer indica, sativa, hybrid options in a much heftier 100-milligram dosage. There is one 1:1 CBD choice for users as well, and the experience can be super relaxing. The lemonades are raspberry, black cherry, honey, strawberry hibiscus, and key lime.

The weather outside is still a little chilly, and Kikoko offers lightly dosed herbal tea packets to keep you cozy through the winter. They offer microdose options for any time of the day, uplifting positivi-tea (10mg THC, 5mg CBD), a bedtime tranquili-tea (3mg THC, 5mg CBN), a sexy sensuali-tea (7mg THC), and a comfy sympa-tea (3mg THC, 20mg CBD).

If you love a good soda, these Keef colas will be just for you. The fizzy sweet treats are great on their own or can be added to ice cream to make a delightful float. They come in 10-milligram cans and bottles in flavors: Purple passion, root beer, orange, classic cola, and blue razz. 

These are just a few of many cannabis beverages available on dispensary menus. They should be located in the edible section, but feel free to ask your budtender their beverage selections!

By Rebecca Victoria Olmos

Covid restrictions have been lifted, and summer is officially here. This 4th of July seems just a little more notable, considering the last one had most of us confined to our homes. Whether you venture out or stay nearby, cannabis can help get your spirits lifted without the nasty hangover effects from alcohol. Here are a few products to try adding to your BBQ to keep the good vibes going.

1. Sparkling Water

There are so many great cannabis-infused beverages out there! One of the perks of beverage consumption is that the onset time is quicker than the average edible, often taking effect within 15 minutes. My current favorite beverage is the Blood Orange sparkling water from Wunder. It contains 10mg of THC and 10mg of Delta 8.

2. Infused Sodas and Lemonade

Soda’s are a fun way to chill out! Keef has several different flavors to try out, including blue raspberry, orange, classic cola, and even root beer. Go ahead and try out an infused root beer float to stay cool! Or if you’re more into a traditional lemonade, Good Stuff Tonics makes a tasty 100mg lemonade.

3. Butter on everything

You can easily make your butter, but you can also just pick up a container of Heavenly Sweet Butter. Lather it onto your corn on the cob, or bake it into some yummy desserts. Just make sure you let everyone know what foods are canna-infused!

4. Chocolate for those smores and milkshakes.

This is something I’ve been doing for years. Pick up a Kiva chocolate bar and make yourself a ganja smore! You can even blend it into a milkshake for an iced cold treat. The great thing about the bars is that they are pre-dosed into 5mg pieces, so you can add as much or little as you’d like.

5. Pre-rolled and ready to go

If you’re like me, you enjoy convenience, especially during a holiday when the number one thing on the list is to kick back and relax. Pre-rolls are the best way to go. If you’re an advanced canna-sseur, I’d recommend some infused prerolls from either Jeeter or Ganja Gold. If you just need a lil’ toke to get you by, I highly suggest Pure Beauty Babies: great flower, in small doses for a quick head change.

Whichever way you choose to consume during this holiday, make sure you stay hydrated and stay safe!