THC Drinks vs. Alcohol: An Honest Guide from People Who Sell Both

Let’s get one thing out of the way upfront: we sell both.

At The ABC Store, we carry a full selection of liquor, wine, and beer across our locations in Mt. Pleasant and West Ashley, and yes, we also carry THC beverages. So we don’t have a horse in this race. We’re not here to push you toward one or the other. What we can do is give you the most straightforward comparison possible, based on what we’ve seen customers ask, try, enjoy, and occasionally regret.

This is the guide.

First, What Even Is a THC Drink?

If you’ve walked into one of our stores recently and noticed beverages that look like sparkling water or flavored seltzers but aren’t in the alcohol section, those are THC-infused drinks.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived products containing 0.3% THC or less by dry weight are federally legal across the US, which is what makes these drinks available at retail stores like ours without a dispensary license.

They come in formats you’d recognize: seltzers, teas, lemonades, and cocktail-style cans. The dose is printed right on the label, typically ranging from 2.5mg to 20mg of THC per serving. Most people starting should treat 5mg as a solid starting point.

How Do They Actually Feel Different?

This is the question we hear most. And it’s the hardest to answer honestly, because everyone’s body is different. But here’s a general picture:

Alcohol works as a central nervous system depressant. The more you drink, the more it slows things down, such as coordination, judgment, and emotional regulation. The relaxation you feel early is real, but it scales with impairment. Most people know fairly well how three drinks will affect them versus one.

THC drinks work differently. THC binds to receptors in your brain’s endocannabinoid system rather than suppressing your nervous system. The sensation is typically described as a more focused, mood-lifting calm, a lighter, clearer feeling than alcohol, without the foggy edges. At low doses, many people describe it as social and euphoric without feeling “out of it.”

The important caveat: the onset time is different, and that’s where people go wrong.

With alcohol, you feel the first drink within 10-15 minutes. Modern THC drinks, especially those made with nano-emulsified, water-soluble THC, typically kick in within 15 to 30 minutes. But traditional edibles could take 45 to 90 minutes. The key is to wait before having another serving. Don’t dose again because you “don’t feel it yet.” That’s the most common mistake first-timers make.

The Hangover Question

We’ll be blunt: THC drinks don’t cause hangovers the way alcohol does.

Alcohol is a diuretic; it dehydrates you, and the toxic byproduct acetaldehyde (produced as your liver processes ethanol) is largely responsible for the headache, nausea, and general misery of a hangover.

THC doesn’t dehydrate you in the same way. Dry mouth is common, but most users report waking up feeling significantly more refreshed the morning after a low-dose THC drink compared to a few cocktails. The effects of a 5-10mg THC drink generally fade over two to four hours and clear your system without the multi-day recovery that heavier drinking can cause.

That said, don’t mix them. Combining THC and alcohol amplifies impairment from both, increases nausea risk, and makes for a far less pleasant experience than enjoying either one on its own.

What About Calories?

Since we’re being honest: this one isn’t close.

A standard beer runs around 150 calories. A glass of wine is typically 120 to 150. A cocktail can hit 200 or more, depending on what’s in it.

A 5mg THC seltzer usually clocks in under 30 calories. For people who enjoy a social drink but are mindful about their caloric intake, THC drinks offer a meaningful difference. (If you’re watching calories but still want to drink, we’ve also written a guide on the best low-sugar liquors for weight loss, worth a read.)

Is THC Legal Here in South Carolina?

This is a question we get a lot at our stores, and it’s worth clarifying.

Hemp-derived THC beverage products derived from hemp (not marijuana) and containing no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight are federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill and are sold legally at licensed retail locations like ours. These are different from marijuana-derived products, which remain regulated differently by the state.

You must be 21 or older to purchase THC beverages at our locations, same as alcohol.

If you’re unsure, just ask. Our staff across all three locations know the products well and will give you straight answers.

Who’s Buying THC Drinks?

Honestly, the range surprises even us.

We’ve seen curious alcohol drinkers who’ve heard about the “sober curious” movement and want to cut back without giving up the social ritual of having a drink in hand. We’ve seen people who simply can’t drink, whether for health reasons, medication interactions, or personal preference, who want something that actually works at a social gathering. (If you’re on blood thinners, for instance, you’ve probably already looked into whether wine is safe with your medication, and THC drinks raise their own set of similar questions.) We’ve seen cannabis consumers who prefer drinking their THC over smoking it. And we’ve seen couples where one person drinks and the other doesn’t, using THC beverages to meet somewhere in the middle.

The “Cali Sober” lifestyle, trading alcohol for low-dose cannabis, is no longer a niche thing. A 2025 USA Today survey found that nearly half of Americans planned to drink less alcohol that year. These beverages are showing up as a real answer to that intent.

A Few Things to Know Before You Try One

Start low. If you’ve never had THC before, 2.5mg to 5mg is genuinely enough to feel something. Don’t assume more is better from the jump.

Wait before having another. Seriously. Give it 30 to 45 minutes to understand how you’re feeling before opening a second can.

Set matters. Your environment and mindset affect the experience more with THC than with alcohol. A relaxed setting with people you’re comfortable with is ideal for your first time.

Don’t drive. This should go without saying, but THC impairs your ability to drive just as alcohol does. Plan accordingly.

Talk to your doctor first if you take medications. THC can interact with certain prescriptions. If you have any health concerns or take regular medications, check with a doctor before trying these products. This is especially true if you’re managing diabetes the same way wine and blood sugar deserve careful consideration, so does introducing any new psychoactive substance to your routine.

Come in and Ask Us Anything

At The ABC Store at Six Mile Marketplace (Mt. Pleasant), The ABC Store / The Reserve & Restaurant on Johnnie Dodds Blvd (Mt. Pleasant), and The ABC Store at West Ashley Crossing (West Ashley), we carry a curated selection of THC beverages alongside our full liquor, wine, and beer inventory.

Our staff isn’t going to push you toward anything. If you walk in with questions, we’ll give you honest answers. That’s kind of our thing. And if you’re a wine person who’s been curious about THC but not ready to make the jump, we have resources on the alcohol side, too, like how to actually read a wine label and the science behind whether wine is heart-healthy. We like informed customers.

If you want to sit down with a drink and take your time, our Reserve & Restaurant location on Johnnie Dodds is a full bar and dining experience. Try something, see how you feel about it, and talk to the people behind the bar. They genuinely know what they’re talking about.

THC beverages are available at all three ABC Store locations. Must be 21+ to purchase. All hemp-derived THC products contain 0.3% THC or less by dry weight per the Controlled Substances Act. Please consume responsibly.