Nothing says “summer” like picnics, barbecues and beach trips, all fueled by ice-cold beers and spiked seltzers.
However, alcohol is downright terrible for your health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, long-term effects of alcohol include high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, digestive problems, multiple kinds of cancer and mental health problems. A two-year pandemic hasn’t helped, either — one study shows that binge drinking has increased 21 percent since the onset of COVID-19.
Cannabis use is on the rise as well, with 38 states with medical marijuana programs and 18 states legalizing it recreationally. According to a 2019 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 43.5 million people reported using cannabis.
Studies suggest that cannabis may carry less of a risk compared to alcohol. Some low-dose infused beverages even include magnesium, L-theanine and other functionals and terpenes for specific applications, like sleeping or working out.
“We’re learning that alcohol is toxic at lower doses than we realized, so even a drink a day is definitely worse than a 5-milligram edible for (the) liver and probably worse for brain shrinkage long-term,” says Mitch Earleywine, professor of psychology at the University at Albany, SUNY, and author of Understanding Marijuana.
Low-dose THC beverages are a crisp, cool, non-alcoholic alternative that help you avoid feeling like you’re the only one not drinking at the barbecue.
Go “low and slow,” says Austin Stevenson, chief innovation officer at Vertosa, a cannabis chemistry company which produces active ingredients for infused product makers like Artet, Cann and Wunder. “People will start between 2 and 5 milligrams, then they’ll want to graduate to 10 milligrams” — the single-serving limit of cannabis beverages.
These beverages come in multiple dosing levels — starting at 2 milligrams all the way to 10 milligrams — and resemble popular sippables like seltzers, beers and cocktails, minus the hangover.
The Best Cannabis Beverages of 2022
S*Shots
Rip shots without regret (or make a magical mixed drink) with S*Shots, which pack 100 milligrams of THC per bottle.
Wynk
Each can features 2.5 milligrams of THC and CBD, and comes in three flavors: lime twist, black cherry fizz and juicy mango.
Wunder
This sparkling beverage has two dosing levels: Sessions, which feature 2 milligrams of Del- ta-9 THC, 2 milligrams of Delta-8 THC and 4 milligrams of CBD; and Higher Vibes, which include 10 milligrams of Delta-9 THC and 10 milligrams of Delta-8 THC.
Cann
Each 8-ounce can of Cann has 2 milligrams of THC and 4 milligrams of CBD, coming in sassy, yummy flavors like blood orange cardamom and yuzu elderflower. Additionally, the company sells 12-ounce Hi Boys that are dosed at 5 milligrams and unspiked seltzers with CBD.
Mad Lilly
These spritzes come in three flavors and pack a light punch with 5 milligrams of THC and CBD.
Artet
This cannabis aperitif comes in four flavors that each packa different punch, but its flagship aperitif dosed at 2.5 milligrams ofTHC per serving is the most popular. Drink it by itself, on the rocks.
Alt
These zero-calorie, zero-sugar vials have 5 or 10 milligrams of THC and can be added to any beverage.
Rebel Coast
Rebel Coast offers cannabis-infused seltzers and “wine,” all containing 10 milligrams of THC.
Klaus
The three varieties of cannabis-infused beverages, mixed by Warren Bobrow, are for classic cock- tail lovers with a penchant for cannabis. Each can packs 10 milligrams of THC and high-quality ingredients found in restaurants and hotels, like extra hot and spicy ginger syrup from Pickett Brothers.
Tinley's
Tinley’s offers non-alcoholic, craft tonics and mixers that are infused with premium distilled botanicals and cannabis grown in California’s EmeraldTriangle, all dosed at 5 milligrams.
A version of this story first appeared in Gear Patrol Magazine. Subscribe today
