2,000 Adults to Join THC-Infused Beverage Study as Brands Target Alcohol Alternatives

As cannabis beverages gain traction and alcohol consumption continues to dip, a new national study is setting out to answer a timely question: can THC-infused drinks provide a satisfying alternative to booze?

Led by data research firm MoreBetter, the THC-infused beverage study will recruit up to 2,000 adult participants. Each will receive a selection of cannabis-infused drinks to consume over a three-week period while logging their mood, alcohol intake, and overall quality of life. The results could help shape the future of social drinking—and how cannabis fits into it.

Key Takeaways

• A THC-infused beverage study is recruiting 2,000 adults to evaluate cannabis drinks as alternatives to alcohol.
• Participants will consume infused beverages and provide daily feedback on use, effects, and wellness.
• Researchers aim to gather real-world data on how cannabis drinks affect lifestyle, mood, and drinking habits.
• The study includes various product types, including seltzers, drink shots, dry powders, and mixers.
• Findings may influence future product design, public health conversations, and cannabis beverage trends.

A Look Inside the Stud

The observational study, announced on April 10, invites adults from across the U.S. to participate. Over three weeks, volunteers will drink cannabis-infused beverages supplied at no cost and log how they’re feeling, how much alcohol they’ve consumed (if any), and how these choices affect their mood and well-being.

Organizers describe it as real-world data collection, aiming to capture how people actually use THC drinks—not just how they perform in a lab or controlled environment.

Timing Matters

The launch comes at a moment of cultural and consumer change. Alcohol consumption has been slowly declining in the U.S., and a recent Surgeon General advisory highlighted the connection between alcohol and cancer—sparking greater public awareness and demand for alternatives.

Cannabis drinks have been pitched as one such option: relaxing, social, and potentially less harmful. But so far, there’s been little large-scale data to support or challenge that idea. That’s where this THC-infused beverage study hopes to break new ground.

Not Just Bubbly Water

While most people associate THC beverages with seltzers, the study covers a broader mix of products. In addition to canned drinks, researchers will look at:

• Single-serve THC “shots”
• 750ml bottles used as mixers
• Dry powder packets designed to dissolve in water

This range allows for comparisons between different doses, form factors, and onset times, helping the research team explore which options are most appealing—and effective—for various users.

Conclusion

The THC-infused beverage study is more than a consumer trial. It’s a rare opportunity to measure how infused drinks impact social behavior, personal well-being, and alcohol consumption in real time.

With more adults turning to cannabis for relaxation or socializing, and with the stigma around infused beverages continuing to fade, this research could offer key insights for the future of functional, feel-good drinking. If successful, it may also shape how new products are formulated, regulated, and introduced into the growing cannabis marketplace.