Drink

A cannabis drink is a ready-to-consume infused beverage — seltzer, tonic, tea, shot, or syrup — formulated as an alcohol alternative or low-dose social product. The defining technology is nano-emulsion: cannabis oil is processed by high-pressure homogenization or ultrasonication into droplets typically 20–100 nanometers in diameter, stabilized by surfactants such as lecithin, Tween 80, modified starches, or quillaja extract. The resulting emulsion is water-compatible, shelf-stable, and often optically clear.

Nano-emulsion accelerates onset: 15–30 minutes is typical, compared with 60–120 minutes for conventional oil-based edibles. Bioavailability rises modestly, with some products claiming two- to fourfold increases, though third-party verification is uncommon. Duration is shorter — roughly 2–4 hours — producing a more alcohol-like experience. Most beverages contain 2–10mg THC per serving, with the low-dose end driving mainstream category growth; some states set distinct package limits for beverages versus solid edibles. Major alcohol and beverage companies have entered the category since 2023, and hemp-derived Δ9-THC seltzers sold under the federal Farm Bill have expanded distribution beyond dispensaries. ⚠️ "Nano" and "fast-acting" are loosely regulated marketing terms; not all products so labeled use true sub-100nm emulsions. → See also: Edible, Nano-emulsion, onset (Part 5).

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