Are THC Beverages the Future of Civilized Intoxication?

OG article by Jahan Marcu

December 19, 2025

Beverages have historically shaped societies beyond hydration, organizing rituals and revolutions—from juice as portable pleasure to tea's empire-building, coffee's dissent hubs, and chocolate's scapegoating for moral fears. Now, canned THC beverages emerge: low-dose, carbonated, fruit-flavored, euphoric without smoke or stigma, blending happy hour with dispensaries. Fans see moderation—calm, enhanced appetite, connection sans damage; critics view them as risky with unclear labeling and legal pitfalls. Amid absorption into commerce, U.S. hemp-derived THC drink sales surged from $102 million in 2023 to over $380 million in 2024, projected to double by decade's end; Minnesota saw thousands of sellers in one year. Over half of adults express interest, especially 21–54-year-olds and women over 30 favoring teas, juices, mocktails as rituals. Alcohol giants partner rather than resist, adapting to shifts. Advantages include consistency, reducing overconsumption risks, but concerns arise from formulations, caffeine mixes, and vulnerabilities for children or elders. To civilize intoxication: optimize for appetite enhancement, train staff on effects, curate lounge-like environments, and ensure transparent sourcing. THC redefines social drinking for control-seeking generations, evolving culture incrementally like past beverages—one sip at a time.