Why More Grand Rapids Locals Are Swapping Booze for THC Drinks This New Year
January rolls around, and suddenly, everyone you know is talking about Dry January. The concept is simple enough: skip the booze for 31 days, reset your relationship with alcohol, and start the year with a clearer head. But here’s the thing. For a growing number of people, “dry” doesn’t mean white-knuckling it through happy hours with nothing but sparkling water; it can also mean enjoying cannabis products.
Enter High January.
Instead of going completely substance-free, many folks are choosing to swap their evening cocktail or weekend beer for something different: THC-infused drinks. It’s less about deprivation and more about substitution. And honestly? It makes a lot of sense.
The Case for Cannabis Beverages Over Alcohol
Let’s get real about why alcohol isn’t exactly doing us any favors. A night of drinking often comes with a morning of regret. The headache. The fatigue. The “why did I say that?” anxiety. Alcohol messes with your sleep, dehydrates you, and loads you up with empty calories you didn’t ask for.
THC beverages offer a different experience. When you crack open a cannabis-infused seltzer or sip on a low-dose drink at home, you’re getting the relaxation and social looseness that alcohol promises without the brutal aftermath. No hangover. No sleep disruption. And typically far fewer calories.
The ritual stays the same. You’re still reaching for a cold can after work. You’re still clinking something at a gathering. But what happens after is wildly different.
What Exactly Are THC Drinks?
If you’ve never tried a cannabis beverage before, here’s the quick rundown.
THC drinks are exactly what they sound like: beverages infused with THC, the compound in cannabis responsible for that euphoric, relaxed feeling. They come in various formats. Seltzers, lemonades, sparkling waters, mocktail-style drinks, even cannabis-infused kombuchas. Some contain only THC. Others blend THC with CBD for a more balanced effect.
The biggest game-changer in recent years has been nano-emulsification. This technology breaks down THC into tiny, water-soluble particles that your body absorbs much faster than a traditional edible. While a gummy might take 45 minutes to an hour to kick in, a nano-emulsified drink can have you feeling effects in 10 to 15 minutes. The experience lands closer to how alcohol hits, which makes these beverages a natural substitute for people used to drinking.
Start Low, Go Slow: Your Dosing Guide
Here’s where things matter. THC beverages require a different approach than pouring yourself a glass of wine.
Most cannabis drinks on the market contain anywhere from 2mg to 10mg of THC per serving. If you’re new to cannabis or new to THC drinks specifically, start at the lower end. A 2mg to 5mg dose is a comfortable entry point for most people. Think of it like ordering a light beer instead of jumping straight to double IPAs.
At 2 to 5mg, you can expect mild relaxation, a slight mood lift, and a gentle loosening of tension. Nothing overwhelming. Just enough to take the edge off the day without feeling impaired.
As you get more familiar with how your body responds, you can experiment with higher doses. But there’s no rush. The beauty of these beverages is that you can sip slowly and gauge how you feel before deciding to open another.
One important note: even though THC drinks hit faster than edibles, they still take longer to kick in than alcohol. Give yourself at least 15 to 20 minutes before reaching for another. And never mix THC with alcohol. The combination amplifies effects unpredictably, making for a rough ride.
Different Drinks for Different Vibes
Not all cannabis beverages are created equal, and that’s actually a good thing. Different formulations suit different moments.
THC-only drinks deliver the classic cannabis experience. Relaxation, euphoria, maybe some giggles. Great for unwinding solo or hanging with friends who share your vibe.
CBD-only drinks won’t get you high at all. They’re all about calming without intoxication. Good for daytime sipping or for mellowing out without any psychoactive effects.
Balanced THC and CBD drinks offer the best of both worlds. The CBD moderates the THC high, creating a smoother, more grounded feeling. These are excellent for social settings where you want to stay present but still relaxed.
Think about what you’re trying to get out of the experience. Weeknight wind-down? A low-dose THC seltzer does the trick. Social gathering where you want to stay sharp? A balanced option might be your move. Pure relaxation before bed? THC-only could be the call.
Building Your High January Routine
The key to a successful High January is treating cannabis beverages like you would any other mindful habit. Build them into your routine rather than reaching for them randomly.
Maybe your old pattern was cracking a beer the moment you got home from work. Replace that with a 5mg THC seltzer. Same physical action, same ritualistic comfort, different substance.
Or perhaps you used to pour wine while cooking dinner. A cannabis lemonade in the fridge serves the same purpose without the alcohol-induced sluggishness that follows.
Social situations take a bit more thought. Not everyone understands cannabis the way they understand alcohol. But more and more people are coming around. Bringing a THC beverage to a gathering can actually spark interesting conversations. And if your friends aren’t into it, you’re still participating in the social ritual of drinking something.
THC Mocktails: Elevate Your Experience
One of the fun parts of High January is getting creative. THC beverages work beautifully as bases for cannabis mocktails. A few simple additions can transform a basic infused seltzer into something that feels special.
Try muddling fresh mint and lime into a cannabis sparkling water for a THC mojito vibe. Add a splash of grapefruit juice and a sprig of rosemary to an infused lemonade. Pour a cannabis seltzer over ice with a few frozen berries and a twist of orange peel.
The point is to make it feel like an occasion. You’re not settling for less by skipping alcohol. You’re choosing something different. Making it taste good and look pretty reinforces that this is a positive change, not a punishment.
What About Driving?
This is non-negotiable. Do not drive after consuming THC in any form.
Even if you feel fine, even if you only had one low-dose drink, your reaction time and judgment are affected. THC impairment is real, and the law treats it seriously. Plan ahead. Stay home, call a ride, or have a designated driver. The same rules as alcohol apply here.
Why Grand Rapids Is Ready for High January
Grand Rapids has always been a beer town. We love our craft breweries and taproom culture. But we’re also a city that embraces change and tries new things. The same spirit that made us Michigan’s craft beer capital is driving curiosity about cannabis beverages.
At Fluresh, we’ve seen more and more customers asking about THC drinks. People want options. They want to enjoy themselves without the downsides of alcohol. And they want products they can trust from a dispensary that’s been part of this community since day one.
We were Grand Rapids’ first recreational dispensary, and we’ve watched this market evolve from the beginning. Cannabis beverages represent the next chapter. They’re approachable, controllable, and fit seamlessly into the way people already socialize and unwind.
Making the Switch
High January isn’t about perfection. It’s about experimentation. Maybe you’ll love it and never look back. Maybe you’ll appreciate having an alternative for certain occasions. Maybe you’ll learn something new about what your body actually wants.
The point is to try. Give yourself permission to explore something different. Pay attention to how you feel the morning after. Notice whether your sleep improves, whether your energy stabilizes, and whether the absence of hangovers changes your relationship with relaxation.
A month is enough time to gather real data about what works for you. Use it.
Ready to Start Your High January?
Order online or through the Fluresh app and pick up at our curbside lanes at 1213 Phillips Ave SW in Grand Rapids. Our Cannabis Advisers are happy to answer any questions about THC beverages when you arrive.
We’re open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 9 PM. Browse our current menu online and place your order for fast curbside pickup.
Your January doesn’t have to be dry. It just has to be different.
Frequently Asked Questions About THC Drinks
Most nano-emulsified THC beverages take effect within 10 to 20 minutes, much faster than traditional edibles. The effects typically last 2 to 4 hours, depending on the dose and your metabolism.
If you’re new to cannabis or THC drinks specifically, start with 2 to 5mg. This provides a mild, manageable effect. You can always increase your dose as you learn how your body responds.
No. Combining THC and alcohol amplifies the effects of both in unpredictable ways and can lead to discomfort or overconsumption. Stick to one or the other.
Most people report no hangover symptoms from THC beverages when consumed responsibly. Unlike alcohol, THC doesn’t dehydrate you or disrupt your sleep architecture in the same way.
Yes. Adults 21 and older can legally purchase THC beverages from licensed dispensaries in Michigan. Fluresh carries a selection of cannabis beverages from trusted brands.
This depends on your tolerance and the per-drink dose. Start with one and wait at least 15 to 20 minutes before deciding if you want another. Remember that THC affects everyone differently.
Most THC seltzers and sparkling waters have minimal calories, often less than traditional alcoholic beverages. Check the label for specific nutritional information on each product.