What weed seltzer is
Weed seltzer is a carbonated drink that contains THC. Most cans sold in the US hold 2 mg to 5 mg of delta-9 THC. The THC comes from hemp. Effects start in 15 to 45 minutes and last 2 to 4 hours.
What is in the can
- Carbonated water and flavoring
- Hemp-derived THC, most often delta-9
- An emulsifier such as gum arabic or modified food starch, which keeps the THC mixed in water
- Some brands add CBD, CBG, or CBN
- Sugar content ranges from 0 g to 12 g per 12 oz can
THC per can and per serving
Potency varies by brand. Common levels are 2 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg per can. A 12 oz can may hold two servings, so read the panel. Minnesota law caps hemp-derived THC at 5 mg per serving and 50 mg per package. Other states set different caps or ban the drinks.
How fast THC seltzer hits
You swallow the drink, so THC moves through the gut and liver. Emulsified drinks absorb faster than solid edibles. Onset: 15 to 45 minutes. Peak blood levels: 60 to 90 minutes. Duration: 2 to 4 hours. A gummy can take 30 to 120 minutes to start.
THC Seltzer: What It Is, How It Feels, and How to Dose
Weed seltzer compared with alcohol
A 12 oz THC seltzer contains no alcohol. A 12 oz beer at 5% alcohol by volume contains about 14 g of alcohol. THC binds CB1 and CB2 receptors. Alcohol acts on GABA receptors. There is no standard drink equivalence between the two.
Legal status
The FDA states that THC is not a legal food ingredient, so hemp-derived THC drinks have no federal food standard. State rules control retail sales. Minnesota set a 5 mg per serving and 50 mg per package limit on July 1, 2022. Some states allow CBD drinks but not THC drinks. Check your state law before you order.
Checks before you buy
- THC in mg per can and per serving
- Cannabinoid name: delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC, CBD
- Batch number and test date
- COA from an ISO 17025 lab
- Test panel for pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbials
- Expiration date
The FDA has warned about delta-8 THC products. The CDC links delta-8 THC to calls to poison centers.
Dosing
Start with 2 mg or less if you have not used THC. Wait 2 hours before a second can. Daily use builds tolerance. Do not drive after drinking a THC seltzer. Store cans at 35 F to 40 F and use them by the date on the can.