Hemp beverages are canned drinks made with cannabinoids from hemp, most often THC, CBD or both. People mostly drink them as an alcohol-free way to unwind, with a dose printed on every can. The research on health benefits is still early: some studies suggest CBD may ease anxiety and CBN may help with waking at night, but the evidence is limited. The side effects are better understood. THC can slow your reaction time and raise your heart rate, and CBD at high doses can raise liver enzymes and interact with medications. Here is what each one does, what the evidence shows, and how much is sensible.
General information, not medical advice. HempBeverages.com sells hemp beverages. We cite independent sources for every health statement below. 21+ only.
What's actually in a hemp beverage
- THC drinks contain hemp-derived Delta-9 THC, usually 2 to 10mg per can, with stronger cans at 25 to 50mg. These produce a noticeable effect. Browse THC drinks.
- THC + CBD drinks pair the two, often 1:1 (5mg THC and 5mg CBD) or 1:2 (5mg THC and 10mg CBD). Browse CBD + THC drinks.
- Functional blends add a second ingredient such as CBN, CBG, lion's mane, L-theanine or caffeine.
- CBD-only drinks contain CBD and no meaningful THC. They do not produce a high.
Every can lists its dose, and reputable brands publish a lab report (COA) that confirms it. Here's how to read the label.
For how THC, CBD, CBG, CBN and terpenes actually work in the body, read the endocannabinoid system, explained.
Do hemp drinks give you a buzz?
Hemp drinks with THC do. A 5mg can is a light, noticeable lift for most people; 10mg is a standard dose; 25mg and up is for experienced drinkers. Effects often begin within 15 to 20 minutes, though it varies by product and person. CBD-only drinks do not give you a buzz. See how long THC drinks take to kick in.
The possible benefits, and how strong the evidence is
1. A drink without alcohol
This is the clearest benefit, and it is about what hemp drinks don't contain. A standard alcoholic drink holds 14 grams of pure alcohol, roughly 98 calories before any mixer (NIAAA), and long-term heavy drinking is the main cause of alcohol-associated liver disease (American Liver Foundation). Hemp drinks have no alcohol, and many have 0 to 40 calories a can. More on what the research says about hemp drinks vs. alcohol.
2. A dose you can see and control
Unlike a mixed drink, a hemp beverage states its milligrams on the can. That makes it easier to pick a low dose and stay there. Start with low-dose drinks (2.5 to 5mg) if you are new.
3. CBD and anxiety: promising but limited
A 2024 systematic review of randomized trials found CBD may reduce anxiety compared with placebo, with few side effects, but the results were inconsistent, the studies were small, and most used doses far higher than a drink contains (13.75 to 800mg). Two studies found 600mg increased anxiety (Life, 2024). A drink with 5 to 20mg of CBD should not be expected to treat anxiety.
4. CBN and sleep: early evidence
Some evening drinks add CBN. In a 2023 trial of 321 adults with poor sleep, 20mg of CBN taken before bed reduced nighttime awakenings and overall sleep disturbance compared with placebo over seven nights, and adding CBD did not improve the result (Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology). That is one week-long study, not proof. The drinks we carry contain 5 to 10mg. We sell them as wind-down drinks, not sleep aids.
5. Inflammation and pain: not shown for drinks
You will see "anti-inflammatory" claims online. They come mostly from lab and animal studies or from prescription-strength doses. There is no good evidence that a hemp beverage reduces inflammation or pain, and the FDA has not approved any hemp drink to treat a condition.
Side effects of THC drinks
According to the CDC, THC can:
- make your heart beat faster and raise blood pressure right after use;
- slow reaction time and decision-making;
- impair coordination and distort perception;
- affect memory, attention and emotions.
Other common effects are dry mouth, red eyes and, at higher doses, anxiety or a racing mind. Most come from taking too much too fast. Never drive after a THC drink (how long to wait), and don't mix THC with alcohol. Our THC drink safety guide covers who should avoid them.
Side effects of CBD drinks
- Common: drowsiness, upset stomach and changes in appetite, mostly reported at higher doses.
- Liver enzymes: in a 2025 randomized trial, 201 healthy adults took about 5mg per kilogram of CBD daily (roughly 350mg for a 70kg adult) or a placebo for four weeks. 5.6% of the CBD group had liver enzymes rise above three times the normal limit; none on placebo did (Florian et al., JAMA Internal Medicine, 2025).
- Medication interactions: CBD can change how the body processes some medicines. If you take prescription medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist first.
Is CBD harder on the liver than alcohol?
No, not at the doses in drinks. Alcohol is an established cause of liver disease with long-term heavy use. CBD's liver signal shows up at high, supplement-level doses: the 2025 trial used about 350mg a day, while a CBD drink typically has 5 to 20mg. That doesn't make CBD risk-free. Regulators still list possible liver effects as an open question, which is why they recommend low daily limits (below).
How many hemp drinks can you safely have a day?
CBD
The US has no official daily limit for CBD in food. Two food-safety regulators have set cautious guidance for healthy adults:
- UK Food Standards Agency (October 2023): no more than 10mg of CBD a day (FSA).
- European Food Safety Authority (February 2026): a provisional safe level of about 2mg a day for a 70kg adult, for pure CBD supplements (EFSA).
In practice: add up the CBD across every can you drink. Two 10mg CBD cans is 20mg, twice the UK guidance.
THC
There is no official daily THC limit either. Start with one 2.5 to 5mg can, wait a full hour before having more, and keep a night to one or two standard 10mg cans until you know how you respond. See THC drink dosage.
Who should skip hemp drinks
- Anyone under 21.
- People who are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive (the FSA also advises these groups to avoid CBD).
- People taking prescription medication, unless a doctor or pharmacist says it's fine.
- Anyone who will drive, operate machinery or be drug-tested (THC can show up on a test).
Are hemp drinks legal?
Hemp-derived Delta-9 THC under 0.3% by dry weight is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill until December 11, 2026, when a new federal hemp definition takes effect. States set their own rules. See what changes and the legal guide.
Where to start
If you want the mildest option, try a CBD-forward can such as North Canna Higher Vibes (5mg THC, 10mg CBD) or Cann Lo Boy (3mg THC, 6mg CBD), or browse low-dose drinks. For more picks, read the best THC drinks for beginners.
Frequently asked questions
What do hemp drinks do to you? THC drinks give a mild to moderate buzz, often within 15 to 20 minutes, that typically lasts one to a few hours. CBD-only drinks don't produce a high. Neither contains alcohol.
Do hemp drinks give you a buzz? Only if they contain THC. Check the milligrams on the can.
Are CBD drinks good for you? They are an alcohol-free option, but there is not enough evidence to say a CBD drink improves health. Keep total CBD low; UK guidance is 10mg a day for healthy adults.
Is CBD harder on the liver than alcohol? Not at drink-level doses. Liver enzyme rises have been seen at about 350mg of CBD a day, far more than a can contains, while alcohol is an established cause of liver disease with heavy use.
How many CBD drinks can I safely drink per day? There is no US limit. UK regulators advise healthy adults to stay at or below 10mg of CBD a day, which is one or two cans for most CBD drinks.
What are the side effects of hemp drinks? THC can raise heart rate, slow reaction time and impair coordination. CBD can cause drowsiness and stomach upset, can interact with medications, and has raised liver enzymes at high doses.
