Updated May 13, 2024
This webpage provides general education about hemp in beverages for the public. It does not provide medical advice and is not a comprehensive resource on this complex topic. As we learn more, we will update this webpage.
DHEC Efforts to Safeguard Public Health
There is increasing interest in the potential use of cannabis for a variety of medical conditions and in research on possible adverse health effects. Although more studies in clinical trial settings are needed to assess the safety and effectiveness of cannabis and cannabis-derived products for the treatment of any disease or condition, there is a growing body of scientific evidence regarding their use.
DHEC’s role is to provide evidence-based information and the public’s role is to decide what is best for their health, ideally after consulting with their healthcare provider. DHEC will continue to work with state healthcare partners and the beverage industry to navigate hemp-infused soft drink manufacturing and distribution in South Carolina in a way that protects public health.
Common Terms Defined
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Cannabidiol (CBD) | The second most prevalent active ingredient in the hemp plant. Hemp plants are close cousins of marijuana, but have less THC (by law, less than 0.3% THC). CBD can be derived directly from the hemp plant or manufactured in a laboratory. One of hundreds of components in cannabis plants, CBD does not cause a high by itself. |
| Cannabis | Cannabis sativa is a plant of the Cannabaceae family and contains more than 80 biologically active chemical compounds, including delta-9 THC and CBD. Both hemp and marijuana are cannabis plants. |
| Cannabis-infused drinks | Drinks that may contain THC, caffeine, alcohol, CBD or delta-8 THC. |
| CBD-infused beverages | Beverages that have been formulated with CBD oil or other CBD extracts. These drinks come in various forms, such as sparkling water, teas and sports beverages. |
| Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), delta-9 THC and THC |
Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) come from the cannabis sativa plant, which naturally produces more than 100 cannabinoids, or active constituents. However, while the plant contains significant amounts of delta-9 THC, it contains very little delta-8 THC, a minor cannabinoid. Because cannabis sativa contains only a small amount of delta-8 THC, it is typically manufactured in concentrated amounts from hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD). While CBD does not have any intoxicating effects, delta-8 THC has similar psychoactive properties to delta-9 THC, although it is generally less potent than delta-9. |
| Hemp | Defined by the 2018 farm bill as "the plant Cannabis sativa and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis." |
| Hemp-infused drinks | Drinks that contain hemp or hemp extract. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Cannabis is a plant of the Cannabaceae family and contains more than 80 biologically active chemical compounds, including delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
Hemp is defined by the 2018 farm bill as "the plant Cannabis sativa and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis."
Marijuana is a type of cannabis plant or plant material that contains many naturally occurring compounds, including CBD and THC. Currently, it is illegal in South Carolina to use or distribute marijuana.
The most known active chemical compounds in cannabis are THC and CBD. THC is the component that produces the “high” associated with marijuana use. While CBD is an essential component of medical marijuana, it is derived directly from the hemp plant, a cousin of marijuana, or manufactured in a laboratory. One of hundreds of components in marijuana, CBD does not cause a “high” by itself.
Hemp-infused drinks (drinks that contain hemp) are a growing trend in the beverage industry. These drinks are made by infusing hemp extracts or products, derived from the cannabis plant, into a liquid base. The most popular hemp-infused drinks include seltzer (water), juice, tea and coffee — although the possibilities are endless.
Hemp-infused drinks may contain THC, the main psychoactive ingredient found in cannabis plants. These are not the same products as CBD-infused beverages. Cannabis-infused drinks may also contain other substances including caffeine, alcohol, CBD or delta-8 THC.
No, although the Food and Drug Administration advises that children are especially at risk of health issues. There are reports describing children and adults who consumed products containing THC and experienced adverse events such as hallucinations, increased heart rate and vomiting, and in some cases required medical intervention or hospital admission. In adults, severe side effects from the doses of THC usually found in hemp beverages are rare.
Most research on the effects of cannabis or hemp on health has been done previously on the use of marijuana, often by smoking it. However, the active chemicals in hemp, specifically delta-9 THC, can have effects on a person’s body and health regardless of how they consume it, including drinking it infused in beverages.
The heart beats faster and blood pressure increases due to the active chemicals in hemp, and its use could lead to increased risk of stroke, heart disease or other vascular (blood vessel) diseases. The negative impacts tend to increase as the amount of THC consumed increases.
The active chemicals affect brain health, in particular, the areas responsible for attention, memory, learning, decision-making, coordination, emotions and reaction time. These negative health effects are particularly harmful to developing brains, including those in babies up through teenagers. As a result, children should not consume hemp-infused beverages.
Because THC influences the brain, driving while under the influence of them can be unsafe. Changes in perception, decreased reaction times, and decreased coordination can impair a person's ability to drive safely. Mental health can be negatively affected by THC, especially when it is consumed in large quantities or for extended periods of time. Intoxication or long-term use can lead to paranoia and even psychosis.
The product label may provide the amount of an ingredient in the beverage, but there is no state/federal requirement to do so.
It is recommended that everyone talks with their doctor or health care provider before consuming a hemp-infused beverage. This is especially important for people who are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, pregnant women, children and teenagers, and people with a medical condition affecting their heart, brain or mental health.
No one should drive a motor vehicle if currently impaired or possibly impaired by the effects of THC from hemp-infused beverages.