Only at licensed cannabis stores, in person. Washington treats any product with detectable THC, including hemp-derived THC, as a cannabis product. Adults 21+ can buy THC drinks at state-licensed cannabis retailers, at up to 10mg per serving. Internet sales and delivery are prohibited. Here are the rules.
- Any drink with detectable THC, hemp-derived included, is a cannabis product in Washington.
- THC drinks are sold only at licensed cannabis retailers, to adults 21+.
- Up to 10mg of delta-9 THC per serving.
- Internet sales and delivery to customers are prohibited, so no website can ship THC drinks to Washington.
Want to know if Washington's rules change? Join our email list. For what we ship where, see where we ship.
Washington closed the hemp THC loophole in 2023. SB 5367, signed May 9, 2023, defined cannabis products to include any product for ingestion "with any detectable amount of THC" (RCW 69.50.101). The Liquor and Cannabis Board puts it plainly: "It is illegal for unlicensed stores to sell products with any detectable levels of THC, including hemp-derived" (LCB).
That makes THC drinks a licensed cannabis product. Adults 21+ can buy them at state-licensed cannabis stores, in person, at up to 10mg of THC per serving. Washington's rules prohibit internet sales and delivery. This guide covers the rules, purchase limits, driving and the federal change on December 11, 2026. Every legal claim links to its primary source.
Key Takeaways
- Any detectable THC is cannabis. RCW 69.50.101 covers ingestible products "with any detectable amount of THC," hemp-derived included.
- Licensed stores only. The LCB says unlicensed stores can't sell products with any detectable THC (LCB).
- 10mg per serving. Edibles and drinks may contain no more than 10mg of delta-9 THC per serving (WAC 314-55-095).
- In person only. "Internet sales and delivery of product to customers is prohibited" (WAC 314-55-079(5)).
- 21+. Sales are limited to adults 21 and over.
- Per se DUI at 5 ng/mL. A blood THC level of 5.00 ng/mL or more within two hours of driving is a DUI.
- Federal change on December 11, 2026. 0.4mg total THC per container becomes the federal hemp limit.
Are THC Drinks Legal in Washington?
Yes, as cannabis products, bought in person at licensed cannabis stores by adults 21+. Hemp-derived THC drinks sold anywhere else are not legal.
Any Detectable THC
Washington defines cannabis products to include any product for ingestion "with any detectable amount of THC" (RCW 69.50.101), a change made by SB 5367 in 2023. The LCB treats hemp-derived THC the same way: "It is illegal for unlicensed stores to sell products with any detectable levels of THC, including hemp-derived" (LCB).
Limits
Under WAC 314-55-095, cannabis edibles and drinks may contain no more than 10mg of active delta-9 THC per serving, with tight limits on other THC compounds. Purchase limits for liquid products are 72 ounces, or 200mg of THC for drinks packaged at 4mg or less per unit.
Where and How You Can Buy
Only licensed cannabis retailers may sell, and only to customers 21 and over (WAC 314-55-079). The same rule states: "Internet sales and delivery of product to customers is prohibited." The LCB re-adopted that rule on July 1, 2026 with the ban unchanged.
Washington THC Drink Law at a Glance
| Status | Cannabis product; licensed stores only |
|---|---|
| Hemp-derived THC | Treated the same as any THC |
| THC limit | 10mg delta-9 per serving |
| Minimum age | 21 |
| Internet sales and delivery | Prohibited |
| Driving | Per se DUI at 5.00 ng/mL blood THC |
| Federal change | 0.4mg total THC per container, from December 11, 2026 |
| Last verified | October 5, 2026 |
Where to Buy THC Drinks in Washington
Washington's licensed cannabis retailers carry THC drinks made under the state's cannabis rules. You buy in person, with ID. A hemp THC seltzer at a grocery store or smoke shop isn't legal under LCB guidance.
Buying Online
Washington prohibits internet sales and delivery of cannabis products to customers, and treats hemp-derived THC drinks as cannabis products. No website, in-state or out-of-state, can lawfully ship THC drinks to Washington consumers. Check our where we ship page for our current status before you order.
Understanding Potency
Washington caps cannabis drinks at 10mg of THC per serving. The number on a can is usually the THC in the whole container unless the label says otherwise. Drink half a 10mg can and you've had 5mg.
| THC per serving | Who it suits |
|---|---|
| Under 1mg | Barely perceptible for most adults; the range of the new federal and some state limits |
| 2–3mg | First-timers, or a drink to sip with dinner |
| 5mg | A noticeable but mild effect; the most common starting dose |
| 10mg | Regular THC drinkers |
| 20mg and up | Experienced drinkers with a known tolerance only |
Onset and Duration
THC drinks usually take effect in about 15 to 20 minutes, though it varies with your body, what you've eaten, and the drink. Effects typically last a few hours. Wait a full hour before having a second. For more detail, read how long THC drinks take to kick in and how much to drink.
What's Changing? The Future of THC Drinks in Washington
The Federal Hemp Definition Change
In November 2025, Congress rewrote the federal definition of hemp in Section 781 of the agriculture funding law, Public Law 119-37. Under the new definition, a finished product with more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container is no longer hemp. A 5mg seltzer has 12.5 times that amount, and a 10mg can has 25 times.
The change was set to take effect November 12, 2026. On September 2, 2026, the President signed a stopgap funding bill, Public Law 119-103. Its Section 2019 moves most of the change to December 11, 2026. One part was not delayed: cannabinoids that the cannabis plant cannot produce naturally lose hemp status on November 12. Read our full explainer: what December 11 means for THC drinks.
Industry Response
Several bills in Congress would replace the ban with regulation. One is H.R. 10079, which would allow hemp THC beverages for adults 21+ at up to 5mg per serving, sold through an alcohol-style distribution system. As of this update, none has passed. December 11 is also the date the stopgap funding expires, so the next federal funding bill is the one to watch.
If you want to weigh in, our Take Action page shows how to reach your members of Congress. To get our final order date as soon as it's set, join the email list.
What It Means for Washington
- Washington already treats hemp THC as cannabis, so the federal change mostly matches state law.
- Licensed cannabis drinks are regulated under state law and are not affected by the federal hemp definition.
THC Drinks vs. Edibles: Key Differences
| Factor | THC drinks | Gummies and edibles |
|---|---|---|
| Typical onset | About 15–20 minutes, though it varies | Often 30 minutes to 2 hours |
| Dose control | Easy to sip part of a can and stop | Sold as fixed pieces; you cut them to adjust |
| Social fit | Replaces the drink in your hand at a party or cookout | Nothing to hold or sip |
Drinks often take effect sooner because many brands use water-soluble emulsions. The downside: a second can tastes just like the first, so it's easy to drink one before the first has peaked. Read the full comparison: THC drinks vs. edibles.
Recipes to Try
Our recipes use non-alcoholic bases you can pair with any legal option:
Browse every recipe on the recipes page.
Driving After a THC Drink
Washington has a per se THC limit. Driving with a blood THC concentration of 5.00 ng/mL or more within two hours is a DUI, and a first offense is a gross misdemeanor (RCW 46.61.502). If you've had a THC drink, don't drive.
How to Check a Can Before You Drink It
Licensed Washington cannabis products carry state-required labels and testing. Before you open any can:
- Find the QR code and scan it. It should open the certificate of analysis for that batch.
- Match the batch number on the can to the batch number on the COA.
- Compare the potency. The THC result on the COA should be close to the milligrams printed on the label, and within Washington's limit.
- Check the expiration date, especially for cans that have sat on a warm shelf.
Industry testing has found that many THC drinks don't match their labels. Read how to read a COA for what to look for.
Why Trust This Guide
HempBeverages.com sells THC drinks online, so we have a commercial interest in this topic. That is why this guide states Washington's rules as written, including where they limit online sellers like us. Every legal claim links to its source. The statements in this guide link to the Revised Code of Washington, Washington Administrative Code, Liquor and Cannabis Board guidance and the federal public laws. We re-check them on the date shown at the top of the page. Our standards are on the editorial standards page. To compare Washington with other states, see where THC drinks are legal by state.
Final Verdict
Washington keeps THC drinks inside licensed cannabis stores:
- Any drink with detectable THC is a cannabis product, hemp-derived or not.
- Adults 21+ can buy them in person at licensed stores, up to 10mg per serving.
- No internet sales and no delivery.
If you want a THC drink in Washington, buy it at a licensed cannabis store, and remember the 5 ng/mL driving limit.
- Any drink with detectable THC, hemp-derived included, is a cannabis product in Washington.
- THC drinks are sold only at licensed cannabis retailers, to adults 21+.
- Up to 10mg of delta-9 THC per serving.
- Internet sales and delivery to customers are prohibited, so no website can ship THC drinks to Washington.
Want to know if Washington's rules change? Join our email list. For what we ship where, see where we ship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are THC drinks legal in Washington?
Yes, as cannabis products sold in person at licensed cannabis stores to adults 21+. Any drink with detectable THC, hemp-derived included, is a cannabis product under RCW 69.50.101.
Can grocery stores sell hemp THC drinks in Washington?
No. The Liquor and Cannabis Board says it is illegal for unlicensed stores to sell products with any detectable THC, including hemp-derived.
Can I order THC drinks online in Washington?
No. WAC 314-55-079 prohibits internet sales and delivery of cannabis products to customers.
What is the THC limit for drinks in Washington?
10mg of delta-9 THC per serving (WAC 314-55-095).
How old do you have to be to buy THC drinks in Washington?
21.
What is the THC driving limit in Washington?
A blood THC level of 5.00 ng/mL or more within two hours of driving is a per se DUI (RCW 46.61.502).
Does the December 11, 2026 federal change affect Washington?
Washington already treats hemp-derived THC drinks as cannabis products, so the federal change mostly matches state law. This is general information, not legal advice.
Do THC drinks show up on a drug test?
They can. Hemp-derived delta-9 THC is the same compound standard drug tests screen for, and a legal hemp source does not change the result. If you are tested for work, read do THC drinks show up on a drug test before you drink one.
Must be 21+. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Hemp and THC laws change often and vary by state; this page reflects Washington and federal law as verified on October 5, 2026. Check current rules with official sources such as the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. HempBeverages.com does not encourage buying or using THC products where it is not allowed.
