University of South Carolina student Kyra Banks first heard about THC-laced drinks through social media earlier this year.

“I had a company reach out to me about handing them out at a sampling event for guests and future clients,” Banks said.

She was too busy to attend the event but was shocked to find out the beverages contained a psychoactive drug found in cannabis and hemp products called Delta-9. Banks said over the last few months she has seen a rise in popularity among her family and friends.

“I think it really is the relaxing factor, and I think it has to do with people, don’t like to be hungover. Speaking from experience, no one likes to be hungover,” Banks said. “Alcohol also has a lot of calories, and those don’t maintain a lot of calories.”

CJ White, manager at Green’s Beverages, said the trend isn’t just popular among college-aged consumers, but everyone of all ages.

“I have anyone from 45-year-old moms who are like ‘this is what we are taking on the trip’ to 70 and 80 year old people who are like ‘this is really helping my arthritis’,” White said.

The rise in popularity is part of a larger national trend. According to the Brightfield Group, in 2020 national revenue for THC drinks was around $400,000. In 2024, that number was up to $382 million, and they expect that number to rise to around $571 million this year.

These drinks became legal in 2018 after a federal farm bill legalized products containing Delta-9 — the psychoactive part of cannabis. The bill states that food and beverage makers can’t add more than 0.3% Delta-9 based on a dry weight basis.

What that means is that a product like a gummy has to have less Delta-9 than a product like a drink because of the size and weight difference. That loophole in the bill has given THC drinks a place in the industry, because product makers can fit 10,15, or even 100 mg in a single can.

These drinks are lightly regulated, and some members of the South Carolina State House are trying to change that.

“Myself and many other colleagues believe that it should be legal,” Sen. Deon Tedder said.  “We just have to make sure it’s done the right way, regulate it so it’s safe for everyone,”

Tedder currently sponsors Senate Bill 137, which aims to regulate THC drinks through age restrictions, additional labeling, and more.

“I’m hopeful and I do believe we will take this legislation up when we return in January because of the rise and use of this,” Sen. Tedder said.

Banks agrees that products should have more regulation but should not be completely banned.

“I think that they can be good as long as they are regulated and people are responsible for them,” Banks said.

There are other bills within the South Carolina legislation that are also looking to regulate similar THC products.