Liquid Cannabis vs. Liquid Kratom: A Functional Drink Showdown

Functional drinks are having a moment, and two heavy-hitters are liquid kratom and liquid cannabis. Both options are showing up on shelves, promising convenience and a faster route to your wellness or lifestyle goals. But how do they stack up side by side?

We’re breaking down the essentials so you can make the right pick for your preferences. From onset time to legality and format, here’s what separates liquid kratom from liquid cannabis and how to navigate your options. 

What Is Liquid Kratom?

Liquid kratom is a ready-to-drink form of kratom made by extracting its active alkaloids into a liquid base. It’s often used for its convenience and fast-acting properties, and comes in a range of drink types, from small shots to carbonated beverages.

Liquid kratom starts with kratom leaf powder, which goes through an extraction process to isolate key alkaloids like mitragynine. These are then blended into a liquid form, often with supporting ingredients like kava, fruit bases, or botanical extracts. While powder and capsules are still common, liquid formats are popular for their ease and fast absorption.

Common Types of Liquid Kratom

You’ve probably seen more than one format of liquid kratom on the shelf. Here are the main types you'll run into:

• Kratom Shots: These are concentrated 2oz bottles that often include 45mg of mitragynine per serving. They’re small, portable, and designed for one-time use. For example, Flow State Kratom + Kava Shots pack kratom with 300mg of kava for a bold herbal combo.
• Kratom Seltzers: These are lightly carbonated beverages that offer a more casual way to enjoy kratom. White Rabbit Energy Kratom Seltzer is a standout, offering 45mg of kratom in a bubbly, sugar-free format.
• Functional Blends: Some products go beyond kratom alone. Tik Tonics Kratom Shots combine it with kava and other herbs in a synergistic formula. These are popular among people who prefer multiple botanicals in a single bottle.

If you're exploring your options, you can view all our kratom drinks here. We hand-pick every item for quality and consistency.

Key Things to Know About Liquid Kratom

• It’s extracted, not just mixed. Liquid kratom products are usually made through an extraction process that concentrates active alkaloids.
• It varies in alkaloid strength. While some brands standardize alkaloid content, others may not. Always check the label for clarity.
• It comes in single-use or multi-serve formats. Some are ready-to-drink in one go, while others may be resealable.
• It doesn’t taste like your average tea. Even in flavored formats, the natural bitterness of kratom often comes through.

What Is Liquid Cannabis?

Liquid cannabis refers to cannabis-infused drinks made with THC, CBD, or a combination of cannabinoids in a water-soluble format. These drinks offer a smokeless alternative for adult consumers looking for a convenient and discreet option.

Unlike traditional edibles or flower, liquid cannabis is formulated using nanoemulsion or emulsified cannabinoid oils. This helps distribute the active ingredients more evenly in a drink and may result in quicker onset. Cannabis drinks range from low-dose sparkling beverages to higher-potency elixirs, depending on the brand and formulation.

Common Types of Liquid Cannabis Products

Here’s a breakdown of the different formats you might find:

• Sparkling Drinks: These are carbonated beverages that come in flavors like citrus or herbal blends, infused with THC, CBD, or both.
• Tincture-Style Liquids: Some are offered as unflavored or lightly flavored drops, usually measured with a cap or dropper, and can be taken directly or added to food or drinks.
• Wellness-Style Bottles: These look similar to vitamin-enhanced waters or teas. They’re often marketed with additional ingredients like green tea extract or botanical flavors.

Key Differences from Other Formats

• No smoke, no prep. Unlike flower or concentrates, cannabis drinks are ready to go, with no gear or heating needed.
• Precise, labeled dosage. Most products are pre-dosed and labeled clearly per serving.
• Discreet consumption. They look like typical beverages, which makes them easy to use in private, adult-approved spaces.
• Variety of cannabinoid profiles. You’ll find options with THC only, CBD only, or blends like 1:1 THC:CBD.

Liquid Kratom vs. Liquid Cannabis

• Feature: Liquid Kratom
• Key Ingredients: Mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine
• Common Formats: Shots, seltzers, functional blends
• Labeling: Usually includes alkaloid mg per bottle
• Flavor Profiles: Bitter herbal, sometimes blended with kava
• Shelf Presence: Often found in functional beverage sections
• Legality: Varies by state and local laws
• Feature: Liquid Cannabis
• Key Ingredients: THC, CBD, other cannabinoids
• Common Formats: Sparkling drinks, tinctures, elixirs
• Labeling: Shows THC/CBD content per serving
• Flavor Profiles: Varies: citrus, herbal, or light flavor options
• Shelf Presence: Sold at licensed dispensaries or legal retailers
• Legality: Only legal in regulated states with adult-use programs

Liquid cannabis gives you more cannabinoid-specific flexibility, while kratom drinks tend to center around traditional alkaloids. Both offer a bottled experience, but come with very different sourcing, formats, and legal handling.

Effects, Onset, and Duration

Liquid cannabis and liquid kratom differ widely in onset speed, how long the effects may last, and how your body processes them. These differences are influenced by formulation, dosage, and individual body chemistry.

While both are often chosen for convenience and faster action compared to their traditional forms, they don’t work the same way. 

General Onset Time and Duration

• Factor: Liquid Kratom
• Typical Onset Time: 15 to 30 minutes (varies by format)
• Duration: Usually lasts 2 to 5 hours
• Variables That Matter: Type of product, mitragynine content, personal metabolism
• Factor: Liquid Cannabis
• Typical Onset Time: 10 to 45 minutes (depends on formulation)
• Duration: Commonly lasts 2 to 6 hours
• Variables That Matter: Cannabinoid profile, nanoemulsion tech, personal tolerance

Key Differences in Experience Timing

• Liquid kratom shots and seltzers tend to kick in faster than powders or capsules, thanks to the liquid extraction process. However, exact timing still varies by brand and body chemistry.
• Liquid cannabis often uses nanoemulsified cannabinoids, which can shorten the absorption time. While not instant, many users report it being quicker than traditional edibles.
• Duration varies by compound. Mitragynine and THC don’t process the same way. Factors like how recently you’ve eaten and your hydration level may also influence how long the effects seem to stick around.

Variables That Affect How Long It Lasts

Here are some common factors that can impact the duration of both:

• Individual metabolism. Faster metabolisms may lead to shorter effects, while slower systems may extend duration.
• Tolerances built over time. Repeated use of either product might result in a shorter perceived window of effectiveness.
• Serving size. Larger quantities usually result in longer durations, though this can also increase potential side effects.
• Product format. Carbonated or emulsified beverages often act faster but may wear off sooner than denser formulations.

Legal & Safety Considerations

Liquid cannabis and liquid kratom have distinct legal statuses in the U.S. and Canada, influenced by federal and state/provincial regulations. Here’s what you need to know before buying or using either product.

Legal Status in the United States

• Product: Liquid Cannabis
• Federal Status: Illegal under federal law (Schedule I)
• State-Level Rules: Legal for adult-use in 24 states and D.C.; strict state-by-state production and sales guidelines
• Product: Liquid Kratom
• Federal Status: Not scheduled federally; legal in many states
• State-Level Rules: Banned or restricted in states like Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Vermont, and Louisiana

Key Notes:

• Cannabis cannot legally cross state lines, even between two legal-use states.
• Kratom is legal in most of the U.S., but banned in some regions or limited to buyers 21+.
• The FDA has not approved kratom and actively warns against unregulated use.
• Labeling, lab testing, and dosage disclosure vary by jurisdiction.

Legal Status in Canada

• Product: Liquid Cannabis
• Federal Status: Fully legal since 2018 under the Cannabis Act
• Provincial/Territorial Control: Each province controls retail models, possession limits, and public consumption
• Product: Liquid Kratom
• Federal Status: Not approved for consumption; sale for ingestion is prohibited
• Provincial/Territorial Control: Possession is not banned, but enforcement varies and commercial sale is restricted

Key Notes:

• Legal cannabis drinks are sold through licensed provincial outlets or online platforms.
• Kratom can be owned privately but cannot be legally marketed or sold for human consumption.
• Health Canada has not authorized kratom as a natural health product.
• Enforcement around kratom can vary by province. Quebec enforces French labeling, for example.

Safety and Buyer Tips (Applies to Both Countries)

• Read product labels carefully to check for third-party lab testing and active content per serving.
• Only purchase from trusted sources, like Apotheca, that prioritize transparency.
• Check your local laws before traveling or ordering online—especially for kratom, which can be treated differently across borders and even counties.
• Avoid sharing or transporting products across jurisdictional boundaries without knowing the rules, it can still count as illegal possession.

Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?

Liquid kratom and liquid cannabis offer two distinct paths, each with different formats, effects, and legal considerations. 

If you’re leaning toward liquid kratom, you’ll find it in a variety of forms like shots, seltzers, and botanical blends. It’s commonly chosen for convenience, portability, and its traditional roots in plant-based functional beverages. It’s important to verify the legal status of kratom in your area, as laws vary across both the U.S. and Canada.

On the other hand, liquid cannabis gives you access to cannabinoid-based drinks, often crafted for regulated adult use in legal states and provinces. These products are strictly controlled and only available through licensed dispensaries. Their availability is broader in Canada, where cannabis is fully legalized federally.