Cannabis Drinks

Cannabis drinks are cannabis retail’s newest shelf

Infused beverages are a newer addition to Ohio dispensary menus compared to flower, vapes, or edibles, reflecting a broader shift in how processors package cannabis for people who want a familiar format. The Garden stocks a rotating drink selection at both stores as availability from Ohio processors grows.

Because the category is newer, selection can shift more than in more established sections of the menu. New products and brands show up as more Ohio processors build out beverage lines, so what is available one month may look different the next.

That is also part of the appeal for some shoppers: drinks are a lower-friction way to try cannabis in a format that does not require any of the setup that flower, vapes, or dabs typically involve.

Because it is still an emerging category in Ohio, shoppers new to drinks often ask a budtender for a starting recommendation rather than picking blind off the shelf, which is a reasonable way to approach a format you have not tried before.

How infused beverages compare to a can of beer

A cannabis drink looks and functions like any other canned or bottled beverage, meant to be opened and consumed the same way. The difference is what is inside: cannabinoids instead of, or in some formulations alongside, alcohol, dosed per can rather than by volume.

Flavors and formats vary by brand, spanning options styled after sodas, seltzers, and other familiar beverage categories. Product listings on the menu describe flavor and format for whatever is currently in stock.

Unlike alcohol, there is no universal standard drink size for cannabis beverages across brands, so checking the dosing on a specific can before drinking it is worth the extra minute.

Can size itself varies too, from smaller single-serving cans to larger formats, which affects both dosing and how the product is meant to be consumed. Reading the can rather than assuming based on size is the safer habit.

Onset time: what to expect after one can

Cannabis drinks are generally absorbed faster than edibles like gummies or chocolates, though still slower than smoking or vaping, since the cannabinoids are processed through digestion. Exact timing depends on the product’s formulation and the person drinking it, so pacing yourself matters here too.

Because a drink is consumed like a beverage rather than portioned like a gummy, it can be easy to finish one faster than you would eat an edible. Sipping slowly and giving effects time to show up is worth keeping in mind, the same advice that applies to edibles generally.

If a can includes more than one serving, drinking half and waiting is a reasonable approach for anyone unsure how they will respond, the same logic as splitting an edible before eating the whole thing at once.

How Ohio regulates infused beverages

Cannabis drinks sold in Ohio go through the same state-approved lab testing and licensing requirements as every other product category, overseen by the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control. Each can is tested for contaminants and verified against its labeled dose before it reaches a dispensary shelf.

That framework has applied to every cannabis product sold in Ohio since licensed adult-use sales began in August 2024, following voter approval of Issue 2 in November 2023. Drinks are not treated differently from flower or vapes in terms of testing rigor, only in format.

Where to find drinks at The Garden

Drink selection changes as new products come in from Ohio processors, so the live menu is the most accurate picture of what is currently stocked. Both Camp Washington and Sycamore Township carry drinks, with pickup available in the lobby or through the daily drive-thru.

Check what is currently available on the Camp Washington menu or the Sycamore Township menu. Both store lobbies are open daily 9AM to 10PM, with drive-thru pickup running until 11PM.

Want a broader look at the category before you try one? Our cannabis drinks guide covers formats and what to expect in more depth.

Serving a cannabis drink: chilled or room temperature

Most cannabis drinks are formulated to be served the same way as their conventional counterpart, chilled for something styled like a soda or seltzer. Checking the label is the simplest way to know, since formulations differ by brand and format more than the category name suggests.

Once opened, an infused beverage does not keep the way a sealed can does, so finishing it in one sitting rather than saving it for later is the safer approach, both for freshness and for keeping track of how much you have had.

Storing unopened cans the way you would any beverage, cool and out of direct sunlight, is generally sufficient. The product packaging is the best source for anything brand-specific.

Frequently Asked Questions