THC-infused drinks: understanding the risks

A growing trend of state laws permitting the sale of marijuana drinks has led to an increase in popularity for THC-infused beverages, raising concerns about public safety and regulation.

THC drinks often look like regular sodas, teas or seltzers, making them more discreet and easier to consume than marijuana.

However, this ease of use also increases the risk of accidental overconsumption and impaired judgment. The rapid rise of THC beverages is also outpacing regulatory oversight, meaning many consumers may not fully understand the potency of these drinks, the effects, and how long THC remains in the body.

Here, we examine THC-infused beverages, how THC affects the body, and regulations around THC beverages.

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What is THC?

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana. This means that THC is responsible for the ‘high’ that people experience when using marijuana.

When a person consumes THC, it binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, altering functions such as:

• Perception and coordination: leading to delayed reaction times and impaired motor skills
• Cognitive function: affecting memory, problem solving, and attention span
• Mood and behavior: causing euphoria, anxiety or paranoia, depending on the individual and the dosage taken

Even when consumed in liquid form, THC still causes impairment, and its effects can last several hours or even longer depending on the dosage and the metabolism of the person taking it.

Some people confuse THC with CBD (cannabidiol), another compound found in cannabis. Although both are cannabinoids, CBD produces few if any psychoactive effects. Naturally, CBD does not contain THC, although many CBD products contain small amounts of added THC.

Learn more: CBD vs THC – what’s the difference?

How do THC-infused beverages work?

THC is naturally fat-soluble, meaning that in traditional marijuana edibles, it is absorbed slowly through the digestive system.

In infused drinks, manufacturers use water-soluble THC formulations, allowing the body to absorb THC faster.

One major concern of THC beverages is that people may not realize how much they are consuming, leading to accidental overconsumption.

Even though the body absorbs THC faster from infused drinks, the effects can still take over an hour to fully develop. This delay increases the likelihood of a person consuming multiple drinks under the false belief that they are not yet feeling the effects.

Additionally, because the drinks look and taste like regular sodas, teas or energy drinks, there is a higher risk of accidental ingestion by children, teens or unsuspecting adults.

How long does THC from infused drinks stay in your body?

Many people mistakenly believe that THC-infused drinks will leave their system quickly. In reality, THC remains in the body long after the effects wear off, with factors like metabolism, weight, dosage and frequency of use impacting how long THC stays in your system.

AlphaBiolabs offers three types of marijuana drug testing that can be used to detect THC:

• Home Urine Drug Test: detection window up to approximately 4 days after consumption – chronic use can be detected up to 30 days
• Home Hair Drug Test: detection window up to 12 months after consumption
• Home Drug & Alcohol Nail Test: detection window up to 12 months after consumption (6 months for fingernails, 12 months for toenails)

These detection periods mean that even a single THC beverage consumed recreationally could lead to a failed drug test days later.

Learn more: How long does marijuana stay in your system?

Are THC-infused drinks legal?

While some states allow recreational marijuana use, the legal landscape for THC drinks is not consistent across the country.

THC remains a Schedule I controlled substance at federal level, meaning it is illegal under federal law, regardless of state-level legalization.

Even in states where marijuana is legal, THC beverages are often subject to separate restrictions, and testing positive for THC can still have legal, professional or employment-related consequences.

This is because employers are not required to allow THC use even where marijuana is legal, and testing positive for THC can lead to the person being fired or disqualified from employment, especially in federally regulated industries.

THC beverages also face additional scrutiny because they resemble everyday drinks, which has led to stricter age restrictions (similar to alcohol), labelling and potency concerns, and bans or restrictions in some states.

Home drug testing you can trust

Whether you have concerns about a loved one misusing drugs, or simply want a test for other personal reasons, AlphaBiolabs can help.

We offer a range of peace of mind home drug tests to suit your needs, whether you require instant results, or want to detect historic drug misuse.

Here’s why you can trust AlphaBiolabs with your peace of mind drug test:

• Rapid results
• ISO 17025 and BBB-accredited laboratory
• Hair and nail drug testing performed in-house by highly-skilled toxicologists
• Test for a wide variety of substances, including THC/marijuana
• Multiple testing options available
• Easy-to-use test kits, with full instructions provided

For more information, call our friendly and discreet Customer Services team on 727-325-2902 or email info@alphabiolabsusa.com.