Cannabis drinks are quietly winning over drinkers

One of the more interesting shifts in Canadian cannabis is the rise of low-dose beverages, and who’s buying them: people looking to drink less alcohol.

The “sober-curious” crossover

A cannabis drink with 2 to 5 mg of THC offers a mild, social, hangover-free alternative to a beer or cocktail. For the growing number of Canadians cutting back on alcohol, that’s an appealing trade.

Why beverages specifically

• Familiar format: a can in hand fits social settings.
• Low, predictable doses: easier to control than a homemade edible.
• No smoke, no smell: discreet and approachable for newcomers.

The catch

Like all edibles, drinks are slow, give them up to an hour or two, and don’t stack them like you would beers. The 10 mg per-package cap keeps them sensible; see our edibles dosing guide.

Cannabis beverages won’t replace flower for enthusiasts, but as an alcohol alternative they’ve found a real audience, and the category keeps growing.

Sources

• Health Canada, Cannabis edibles and beverages