Would you like a buzz with that hot dog?
Concertgoers at the United Center will for the first time be able to buy legal drinks infused with THC, the part of marijuana that gets users high — despite a looming federal ban.
Senorita and Rythm brands will begin selling hemp-derived THC-infused beverages Feb. 4 at the Boys II Men, New Edition and Toni Braxton show. The drinks will be offered to those 21 and over at concerts and other shows, but not at sporting events or children-themed activities.
While THC drinks have been sold at smaller music venues such as the Salt Shed, Riviera, Ramova Theater and Thalia Hall, sponsors believe this is the largest arena to sell the products.
“It’s a category consumers want,” said Rick Schepp,such as Rythm’s general manager of beverages. “We see this as continued normalization.”
The drinks come with 5 milligrams of THC, considered a moderate dose, similar to a glass of beer or wine in the degree of intoxicating effect. They come in flavors such as lime jalapeno and mango margaritas, and a mandarin orange drink with caffeine.
The sales come despite President Donald Trump in November signing into law a prohibition on the sale of intoxicating hemp products that is set to take effect in November. The law would ban any product that contains more than .4 milligrams of THC.
It remains unclear if and how federal officials will enforce the new prohibitions, according to the Congressional Research Service.
“If intoxicating hemp products persist on the market after the change to their legal status, it is possible they could be subject to the same criminal and collateral issues as marijuana,” the CRS stated. “It also remains to be seen whether FDA will pursue additional options to remove these items from the market.”
The hemp industry arose from the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized non-intoxicating hemp, but also allowed intoxicating derivative cannabinoids such as delta-8-, delta-9 and delta-10 THC. Experts warn their health effects are largely unknown.
Retailers began selling those products at smoke shops, convenience stores and gas stations across the country, with no age limit for consumers. Some high school students ended up getting medical treatment after using the products.
The Chicago City Council also voted recently to ban intoxicating hemp products, but to allow the continued sale of beverages and lotions. Mayor Brandon Johnson said he has serious concerns about the proposed ban, but had not decided last week whether to veto the measure.
Hemp product sales curtailed in Chicago with City Council vote
Kevin Sabet, president and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a nonprofit which opposes cannabis commercialization, criticized the decision to sell the THC drinks.
“It’s a reckless decision, especially now, after we know so much about how dangerous these drinks are,” he told the Tribune. “Bipartisan lawmakers have decided to shut the door on these businesses — and for good reason. This smells of trying to make a quick buck at the expense of public health.”
