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How Much THC Should You Drink? Complete Buying Guide
Start with 2.5-5mg THC drinks from liquor stores, dispensaries, or online. Get exact dosing, local availability, and fair pricing in one guide.
Written by Sipho Sam
October 29th, 2025
Most people start with 2.5 to 5 mg of THC for a light, manageable effect similar to a glass of wine.
These drinks are available at liquor stores carrying hemp-derived options, licensed dispensaries in adult-use states, and online retailers that ship to eligible locations.
The three questions stopping you from making a purchase are simpler than you think:
Finding drinks near you involves familiar retail channels you already know.
Understanding the legal framework takes five minutes once you see how hemp-derived products fit federal definitions.
Picking the right strength starts with that 2.5 to 5 mg range and waiting to see how you feel.
Important: This guide provides general information about THC beverages and is not medical, mental health, or wellness advice. Mood is not a medical authority and cannot provide health guidance. Consult licensed healthcare professionals for any questions about substance use, medication interactions, or personal health concerns.
Table of Contents
The Right THC Amount for Your First Drink
Where to Buy THC Drinks Today
THC Drinks Delivered to Your Door
Why Liquor Stores Can Sell Hemp THC Beverages
How THC Drinks Feel Compared to Edibles
THC Drink Prices and Multipacks Explained
Your Two Minute Buying Plan
Quick Facts About Delta-8 and Delta-9
THC Drinks and Drug Tests: What to Know
Your THC Drink Questions Answered
The Right THC Amount for Your First Drink
A 2.5 to 5 mg THC drink gives most first-time users a gentle, controlled effect that feels similar to having one or two glasses of wine at dinner.
You'll typically start feeling effects within 15 to 30 minutes of drinking, which is faster than you might expect if you're used to how long edibles take to work.
Wait at least 30 to 90 minutes before considering a second drink. Effects continue building during that window, and it's easy to misjudge how much you've consumed.
The effects from a THC drink usually last between 2 and 4 hours, giving you a predictable timeframe for social gatherings or relaxing evenings at home.
Mixing THC drinks with alcohol creates unpredictable effects that make it harder to gauge how either substance is affecting you, so most people find it easier to enjoy one or the other.
Never drive or operate machinery after consuming THC in any form, as impairment laws apply the same way they do for alcohol, regardless of how mild the effects feel.
Be aware that THC from beverages can show up on employment drug tests for days or weeks, depending on how frequently you consume and your individual metabolism.
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Where to Buy THC Drinks Today
Licensed dispensaries in states with adult-use cannabis laws stock THC drinks alongside flower, edibles, and concentrates, and you can search for nearby locations using directories like Weedmaps.
Many liquor stores and beverage retailers now carry hemp-derived THC drinks in their coolers, with chains like Total Wine & More and Binny's Beverage Depot offering selections in states where these products are permitted.
Specialty cannabis shops and smoke shops frequently stock THC beverages as part of their hemp-derived product offerings, giving you another convenient option if you're already familiar with these stores in your area.
Call ahead or check the store's website before making a trip, as inventory changes frequently and not every location within a chain necessarily carries THC drinks even if their other stores do.
Bring a government-issued ID showing you're 21 or older, as this is required for any THC beverage purchase, regardless of whether you're buying from a dispensary or a beverage store.
The fact that you can walk into a store where you usually buy beer or wine and find THC seltzers in the cooler surprises many people, but this reflects how hemp-derived products have entered mainstream retail channels.
THC Drinks Delivered to Your Door
Many THC beverage brands ship directly to customers in eligible states, with companies offering online ordering through their websites.
Delivery typically takes 2 to 5 business days for direct brand shipping, which means ordering by Tuesday gives you the best chance of receiving your drinks before a weekend gathering.
Retail delivery services like Gopuff now offer THC and CBD products in select metro areas, bringing same-day or next-day delivery to neighborhoods where this service operates.
Before placing an online order, verify that your state allows hemp-derived THC product shipping, as some states restrict these deliveries even when the products themselves are federally compliant.
Most brand websites include a state eligibility checker during checkout that tells you immediately whether they can ship to your address, saving you time if your location isn't currently served.
Package tracking works the same way it does for any online purchase, so you can monitor your delivery and plan to be home when your THC drinks arrive.
Watch: All About Edibles
Why Liquor Stores Can Sell Hemp THC Beverages
The 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized hemp, defining it as cannabis containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight, and many THC drinks are formulated to meet this specific definition.
Individual states create their own rules about where and how hemp-derived products can be sold, so depending on where you live, you'll see different retail environments offering these drinks.
Hemp-derived THC beverages often appear alongside alcoholic drinks because many states regulate them through similar retail channels, treating them as adult beverages subject to age verification rather than placing them exclusively in cannabis dispensaries.
This framework represents a legitimate regulatory pathway rather than a legal loophole, with businesses operating within federal hemp definitions and complying with their state's specific retail requirements.
The presence of these drinks at your local beverage depot or liquor store means someone has verified that the products meet federal hemp standards and your state's rules for where these items can be legally sold.
How THC Drinks Feel Compared to Edibles
THC drinks typically take effect within 15 to 30 minutes, which is noticeably faster than traditional edibles like gummies or brownies, which can take 30 to 2 hours to start working.
The effects from a THC beverage usually last 2 to 4 hours, giving you a shorter experience compared to edibles that can continue affecting you for 6 to 8 hours or longer.
Many people find that drinks provide a lighter, more controllable experience that works better for social situations where you want to stay engaged with friends rather than settling in for a longer session.
The faster onset and shorter duration make it easier to gauge your experience and adjust accordingly, since you don't have to wait hours to understand how a product affects you.
Think of THC drinks as occupying a middle ground between the immediate effects of smoking or vaping and the prolonged experience of eating a cannabis edible.
THC Drink Prices and Multipacks Explained
Reading a THC drink label requires checking two numbers: the milligrams of THC per serving and the number of servings per container, as some cans contain multiple servings while others are single-serve.
Single cans of THC drinks typically range from $4 to $8 at retail locations, with prices varying based on brand positioning, local taxes, and whether you're buying from a dispensary or beverage store.
Multipacks usually reduce the cost per unit by 20 to 30 percent compared to buying individual cans, making them a better value if you've already tried a brand and know you enjoy it.
A simple value comparison looks like this: a $20 four-pack of 5 mg cans gives you 20 mg total THC for $1 per milligram, while a $6 single 5 mg can costs $1.20 per milligram.
The math matters most when you're comparing products with different THC amounts per serving, as a 10 mg drink at $7 might be a better value than a 5 mg drink at $5, depending on your preferred strength.
Store sales and promotions on THC drinks follow the same patterns as those for craft beer or premium seltzers, so signing up for loyalty programs or watching for holiday deals can lower your costs significantly.
Your Two Minute Buying Plan
Walk-In Route
For your first purchase, choose a 2.5 — to 5 mg strength. Use online searches or directories to find a local dispensary or beverage store.
Bring your government ID, and expect to pay similar prices to what you'd spend on craft beer or premium seltzers.
Online Route
Choose your preferred THC amount based on the 2.5 to 5 mg starting recommendation, verify your state allows hemp-derived product shipping on the brand's website, place your order by midweek if you need it for the weekend, and track your package like any online delivery.
Confidence Checklist
Starting with a lower THC amount gives you room to adjust upward on future purchases if you want stronger effects, while starting too high leaves you dealing with an uncomfortable experience you can't undo.
Verify the retailer's legitimacy by checking for a physical address, clear contact information, and professional quality standards. Avoid shopping from unknown sources offering deals that seem too good to be true.
Compare prices across a few retailers in your area or online to understand the normal range. This will help you spot genuine sales versus inflated pricing marketed as discounts.
Quick Facts About Delta-8 and Delta-9
Delta-9 THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that creates the familiar effects most people associate with cannabis, and it's what you'll find listed on most THC drink labels.
Delta-8 THC is a related compound that occurs naturally in much smaller amounts and typically produces milder psychoactive effects, though individual experiences vary, and states regulate these two compounds differently.
When you're reading a THC drink label, look for the specific type and amount of THC listed in milligrams, as most beverages clearly state whether they contain Delta-9 or Delta-8 as the active ingredient.
The legal distinction between Delta-8 and Delta-9 matters because some states explicitly allow one while restricting the other, so understanding which type your local stores carry helps you shop confidently.
Most mainstream THC beverages you'll find in liquor stores and dispensaries contain Delta-9 THC derived from hemp, which is why they can exist in retail channels outside of traditional cannabis dispensaries.
THC Drinks and Drug Tests: What to Know
THC from beverages shows up on standard drug tests the same way THC from any other source does, potentially remaining detectable for days to weeks, depending on how often you consume and your body's metabolism.
Employment drug screening typically can't distinguish between THC from a legal hemp beverage and THC from any other source, so a positive result may require explanation regardless of how you consumed it.
Driving under the influence of THC is illegal in every state, regardless of whether you consumed a federally legal hemp product, a state-legal dispensary item, or anything else containing this compound.
Treating THC drinks with the same responsibility you'd apply to alcohol means not driving after consumption, planning for alternative transportation, and being aware that impairment can occur even at doses that feel mild.
If you're subject to regular employment testing or have professional obligations that prohibit THC use, consuming these beverages carries the same risks as any other cannabis product, despite their availability at mainstream retailers.
Your THC Drink Questions Answered
Can THC-infused drinks get you high?
Yes, THC drinks create psychoactive effects that most people would describe as getting high, with a typical onset of 15 to 30 minutes and effects lasting 2 to 4 hours, depending on the strength you choose and your individual response.
What is the best THC drink for beginners?
Beginners should look for drinks containing 2.5 to 5 mg of THC per serving, with options like low-dose seltzers or tonics that let you gauge your response before trying stronger products.
Are THC drinks stronger than edibles?
THC drinks typically feel gentler and more manageable than traditional edibles because they work faster and last for a shorter duration. This gives you more control over your experience rather than committing to 6 to 8 hours of effects.
How long do THC drinks take to kick in?
Most people start feeling effects from THC drinks within 15 to 30 minutes, which is considerably faster than edibles but not as immediate as smoking or vaping.
What are the cheapest options for THC seltzers?
Buying multipacks rather than single cans typically offers the best value, reducing your per-unit cost by 20 to 30
percent, while watching for sales at beverage retailers or online brands can bring prices closer to what you'd pay for premium craft seltzers.
Can you mix THC drinks with alcohol?
Mixing THC and alcohol creates unpredictable combined effects that make it harder to gauge your impairment level, so most people find it easier and more comfortable to enjoy one substance or the other rather than both together.
Pick Your Strength and Buy With Confidence
You now know that 2.5 to 5 mg gives you a starting point that feels manageable. Liquor stores and dispensaries near you likely carry these drinks alongside their regular inventory, and fair pricing is similar to what you'd pay for craft beverages in the $4 to $8 per can range.
These products exist within established legal frameworks where hemp-derived items meeting federal definitions can move through familiar retail channels.
Effects at appropriate amounts are predictable enough to plan your evening, and millions of adults incorporate them into social occasions without incident.
Your next step is to choose whether you prefer walking into a local store this afternoon or ordering online for delivery this week. Then, select a low-dose option that allows you to adjust your preferences on future purchases.
Final Reminder: This information is for educational purposes only. Mood is not a wellness authority and cannot provide medical, health, or safety advice. Always consult licensed professionals for guidance on substance use, especially if you have health conditions, take medications, or are subject to drug testing. Effects vary by individual. Consume responsibly, never drive impaired, and comply with all local laws.
