The Best Weed Soda for 2024

Weed soda makes up 1.1% of the U.S. cannabis retail market.  However, the thirst-quenching category market share has increased by 40% across the States and Canada since the start of 2021. These cannabis-infused drinks offer a delicious dose of diversity for consumers who don't want to smoke or vape.

When cannabinoids are ingested in the form of weed drinks rather than edibles, they dodge the digestive system. Consequently, compounds like THC and CBD swiftly enter the bloodstream, allowing for rapid onset effects. So, which weed soda is best? 

What is Weed Soda?

Alcohol-free cannabis seltzers, mocktails, and weed soda usually contain cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). However, some cannabis beverage companies may also blend other cannabinoids like cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG). 

Years of previous attempts to make cannabis beverages were unsuccessful or low quality. Product manufacturers encountered challenges in combining THC — a hydrophobic compound — with water. The outcome of such attempts led to the formation of oil on the glass surface. 

Today, manufacturers of cannabis drinks are mastering the art of nanoemulsion technology. This process involves merging nano-sized emulsions with cannabinoids like THC to enhance bioavailability and transport active compounds through a semipermeable membrane.¹

After drinking weed soda, the water-soluble THC is rapidly absorbed by soft tissues in the esophagus, mouth, and stomach. 

The result?  Swift onset effects that last for 2-6 hours, depending on whether or not you consume cannabis drinks on a full stomach, potency, product quality, etc.² 

Unlike cannabis edibles, the effects of cannabis beverages emerge much more quickly after digestion, making these products an appealing choice for consumers seeking fast relief from symptoms like pain, stress, and insomnia. Most consumers report feeling the effects within 10 to 15 minutes. 

How is THC Soda Made?

The process of making THC-infused beverages is not dissimilar to the techniques that manufacturers implement for other cannabis products. Here are five main steps for making weed drinks:

1. THC Extraction: THC concentrates, known as extracts, contain potent levels of the intoxicating cannabinoid.  CO2, solvent-based, and solventless extraction are three popular techniques that producers apply when creating cannabis drinks. 
2. Emulsification:  Cannabis drink producers use food additives called “emulsifiers” to combine two substances that usually separate once combined (e.g., oil and water). Most food products require emulsifiers, which produce a homogenous mixture that is easier to blend with other liquids.
3. Beverage Mixing: Depending on the type of cannabis drink being made, the third step involves mixing the emulsified THC extract with the beverage of choice, such as coffee, tea, fruit juice, or soda. 
4. Testing: Before a THC seltzer or weed soda can be sold on dispensary shelves, it must undergo mandatory testing to ensure compliance, quality, and safety standards. Laboratory tests will also indicate the cannabinoid composition and the presence of any other compounds or potential contaminants. 
5. Packaging: The final stage of making THC drinks involves safely packaging the product. Packaging should clearly outline the ingredients, cannabinoid potency, and dosage. According to Headset analysts, strong THC drinks account for more than one-third of all cannabis drink sales. During the first ten months of 2022, 22% of total sales in this category stemmed from 100mg packages.

Note: THC is soluble in alcohol, but due to the potential adverse effects of weed and alcohol, it is unlawful to sell products combining the two substances in the U.S.

Why Choose Weed Soda?

Transportable, easy to consume, and available in many flavors, weed soda is arguably one of the most convenient cannabis products. Plus, they come in different dosages, and there are plenty of brands to choose from. If stored correctly, the shelf life may last up to one year, but you probably won't want to let the cannabinoids fester for that long anyway.

Although weed soda is discreet, delicious, and offers a simple way to consume cannabis without the health implications of smoking, the bioavailability of oral THC and CBD rests as low as 6%. Consequently, this results in reduced peak blood THC concentration compared to inhalation and approximately 120 minutes until peak concentration.³

For this reason, many consumers prefer inhalation or oral mucosal delivery of cannabinoids. Sativex® (nabiximols) is an example of an oral mucosal spray. Vaping and smoking are two examples of inhalation, but THC drinks and edibles offer longer-lasting effects than smoking. 

“Edible users cite less perceived health risk compared with smoking, stronger drug effects, ability to use discreetly, and facilitation of sleep as reasons for preferring these products. Users report that drug effects from the use of edibles are often unpredictable (i.e., either too weak or too strong),” claim researchers.⁴ 

What to Look for When Buying THC Drinks?

When buying THC drinks, it’s essential to purchase from a reputable, legal, and licensed supplier. Examples of the quality factors to look out for when purchasing weed drinks include concentration limits and independent testing.

In addition, trusted suppliers should clearly label their products to indicate the product type, cannabinoid content, and manufacturing processes. You can confirm the product's quality by asking the THC drink providers for proof of third-party lab testing.⁵

How to Find THC Drinks Near Me

Most licensed dispensaries will stock weed drinks. However, as a relatively new category to the market, there is no guarantee that every cannabis retail store will have cannabis beverages on their shelves. 

Industry leading directories and online tools or apps like Weedmaps and Leafly may help you in your search for the perfect THC seltzer.

Top 5 THC Sodas for 2024

The type of THC drinks you choose depends on personal preference. 

Below is our list of the top five THC sodas for 2024:

1. Not Your Father's THC Infused Root Beer—A favorite traditional root beer brand, Not Your Father’s has released a live resin infused 100mg THC root beer for California consumers.
2. Hi5 Soda—This seltzer soda comes in six traditional soda flavors. Massachusetts consumers can get it in a four-pack at just 5mg per can.
3. Mary Jones Cannabis—This high-dose THC soda is available in CA & NV. Hemp-derived sodas with low THC are also sold online. 
4. Keef Brands—Enriched with 10 mg THC, this company's THC soda is available in the following flavors: Bubba Kush Root Beer, Original Cola, Orange Kush, Blue Razz, and Purple Passion. Depending on the state, these tasty beverages may contain up to 100mg of THC per can. They are available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon, Puerto Rico, and Ontario.
5. Magic Number—Hand-crafted in Oregon with natural ingredients, these full-spectrum refreshments contain 5 mg THC per can. Flavors include Sasparilla, Classic Cola, Mandarin Lime, and Cherry Vanilla.

References

1. McClements DJ. Advances in edible nanoemulsions: Digestion, bioavailability, and potential toxicity. Progress in lipid research. 2021;81:101081-101081. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plipres.2020.101081 ↩︎
2. MacCallum CA, Russo EB. Practical considerations in medical cannabis administration and dosing. European Journal of Internal Medicine. 2018;49(49):12-19. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2018.01.004 ↩︎
3. Lucas CJ, Galettis P, Schneider J. The pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2018 Nov;84(11):2477-2482. doi: 10.1111/bcp.13710. Epub 2018 Aug 7. PMID: 30001569; PMCID: PMC6177698. ↩︎
4. Spindle TR, Bonn-Miller MO, Vandrey R. Changing landscape of cannabis: novel products, formulations, and methods of administration. Curr Opin Psychol. 2019;30:98-102. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.04.002 ↩︎
5. MacCallum CA, Lo LA, Pistawka CA, Boivin M. A Clinical Framework for Evaluating Cannabis Product Quality and Safety. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2023;8(3):567-574. doi:10.1089/can.2021.0137 ↩︎

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.