THC Drinks in Texas: What to Know About Willy’s Remedy at Zipps Liquor

If you’ve noticed a new kind of can showing up on liquor store shelves across Texas, you’re not imagining it. Hemp-derived THC beverages have moved from a niche curiosity to a real category over the past year, and Zipps Liquor now carries Willy’s Remedy at select locations for shoppers 21 and older. Whether you’re simply curious or looking for an alcohol alternative for a night in, here’s what you need to know before you buy, including exactly where these drinks fit under Texas law right now.

As always, Zipps Liquor’s promise stays the same no matter what’s on the shelf: 10 to 30 percent savings compared to local competitors, 35-plus Texas communities served, and knowledgeable local staff who can answer your questions in person. That value extends to newer categories like hemp beverages, not just the bourbon and beer Zipps is already known for.

If you’re searching “THC drinks near me” or “liquor store near me” and want a straight answer on what’s legal, what’s available, and what to expect, this guide covers it.

What Are Hemp-Derived THC Drinks?

Willy’s Remedy is a line of hemp-derived THC beverages, including low-dose spirits alternatives, seltzers, and shots. The drinks use Delta-9 THC that comes from hemp rather than marijuana, and by federal definition, that hemp-derived THC must stay under 0.3 percent of the product’s dry weight to qualify as legal hemp rather than a controlled substance.

In practical terms, that means these are lighter, more controlled-dose products than what you’d find at a dispensary in a state with recreational marijuana. Servings are typically labeled in milligrams, most often 5mg or 10mg per serving, so shoppers can choose their intensity the way they would choose a light beer versus a stronger cocktail. Many use nano-emulsion technology, which the manufacturers say helps the effects arrive faster and more predictably than a traditional edible.

Common reasons Texas shoppers try hemp beverages include:

• Wanting a lower-calorie alternative to a mixed drink or beer
• Looking for something without a next-day hangover
• Curiosity about a newer category that’s gotten a lot of attention in the beverage industry over the past year
• Interest in a social drink alternative for an evening without alcohol

None of this is medical advice, and Zipps Liquor is not making any health claims about these products. If you have questions about how a hemp beverage might interact with medication or a health condition, talk to a doctor or pharmacist before trying one, exactly as the product’s own label recommends.

Where the Willy’s Remedy Name Comes From

Willy’s Remedy is one of two separate product lines associated with musician Willie Nelson. The original Willie’s Remedy brand launched as a CBD-only product line, including CBD-infused coffee, tea, and tinctures, with no intoxicating effects. Willie’s Remedy+ is the separate, newer line that includes hemp-derived Delta-9 THC beverages, which is the category this article focuses on. If you’re comparing products online, it’s worth double-checking which line you’re looking at, since the two are easy to confuse but behave very differently.

Is THC in Drinks Legal in Texas Right Now?

Yes, with an important distinction that’s worth understanding. Texas hemp law has changed a lot over the past year, and it’s easy to see a headline about a “THC ban” and assume it covers everything. It doesn’t.

In March 2026, Texas implemented new rules that effectively banned smokable hemp products such as hemp flower and pre-rolled joints. Those rules came from the Texas Department of State Health Services and target products you’d light and inhale, using a calculation that counts THCA toward the total THC limit. Hemp-derived THC beverages are a separate category entirely, regulated by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission rather than DSHS, and they were not part of the smokable hemp ban.

As of now, hemp-derived THC beverages that stay under the federal 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC by dry weight threshold remain legal for adults 21 and older to purchase in Texas at licensed retailers. TABC requires ID verification on every sale, the same as it does for beer, wine, and spirits, under a rule that took effect January 21, 2026.

One thing worth watching: a federal provision passed in November 2025 introduces a new limit of 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container, set to take effect in November 2026. Some hemp beverage brands on the market today, including some Willy’s Remedy products, currently exceed that per-container limit, which means the legal landscape for this specific product could shift again before the end of the year. If you’re a regular buyer, it’s worth keeping an eye on updates from the manufacturer and from TABC rather than assuming availability is permanent.

To sum up the current landscape in Texas:

• Smokable hemp (flower, pre-rolls): Banned for retail sale as of March 31, 2026
• Hemp vapes and e-cigarettes with any cannabinoid: Banned since September 2025
• Hemp-derived THC beverages: Legal for adults 21+ at TABC-licensed retailers, not affected by the smokable ban
• Hemp edibles and gummies under 0.3% Delta-9 THC: Legal for adults 21+
• Federal 0.4mg per container cap: Not yet in effect, begins November 12, 2026, and may affect some current beverage products

Where to Find Willy’s Remedy at Zipps Liquor

Willy’s Remedy is available at select Zipps Liquor locations, currently the Onalaska, Nacogdoches (US-59), Gun Barrel City, Troup (Arp location), Palestine, Winfield, Mineral Wells, and Quitman stores.

Because this is a newer, fast-moving product category, availability can shift store to store as inventory comes in. If you’re making a special trip, we’d recommend calling your nearest participating Zipps location ahead of time to confirm current stock, the same way you might check before driving out for an allocated bourbon release.

If your closest Zipps doesn’t carry hemp beverages yet, you’ll still find the full lineup of spirits, wine, and beer that Zipps is known for, all at the same 10 to 30 percent savings versus local competitors that our regular shoppers count on.

How Willy’s Remedy Compares to a Regular Drink

Willy’s Remedy is designed to sit alongside, not replace, a normal night out or evening in. A handful of quick comparisons worth knowing before you try one:

Onset time. Hemp beverages using nano-emulsion technology tend to hit faster than a THC edible, often within 15 to 45 minutes, but still slower than the first sip of a cocktail. Give it time before deciding whether to have more.

Duration. Most low-dose hemp beverages report effects lasting roughly one to two hours, shorter than a THC edible and shorter than a night of drinking.

Calories. Many hemp beverage shots and spirits alternatives run in the 10 to 20 calorie range per serving, which is lower than most mixed drinks and many beers.

Dosing control. Because servings are labeled by milligram, it’s easier to start small (a half serving, roughly 2.5 to 5mg) and adjust next time, rather than guessing.

None of this makes hemp beverages “better” or “safer” than alcohol across the board. It’s a different product with a different experience, and like anything that can affect how you feel or function, it deserves the same respect and moderation Zipps encourages with every category we sell.

Why Zipps Is Carrying Hemp Beverages Now

Zipps has built its reputation on offering big-store selection with small-town service, and that means staying ahead of categories that Texas shoppers are already asking about rather than waiting until a trend is fully mainstream. Hemp-derived THC beverages have grown quickly across the country over the past year, and adding them to select stores is one more way Zipps rounds out its 20,000-plus product lineup alongside spirits, wine, and beer.

That said, this is a newer, still-shifting category, both legally and in terms of what’s actually on shelves. Zipps is introducing it carefully, at select locations, rather than as a blanket rollout, and will keep adjusting based on how the regulatory picture develops between now and the end of the year.

If You’re Trying a Hemp Beverage for the First Time

A little preparation goes a long way with any new product category. A few practical points worth knowing before your first try:

Start with the lowest labeled serving. Most products suggest starting with half a serving, roughly 2.5 to 5 mg, especially if you’ve never tried a hemp beverage before. You can always have more next time.

Give it time before deciding on more. Because onset can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes depending on the product, drinking a second one before the first has kicked in is one of the most common mistakes first-timers make.

Plan around a night with nowhere to be. Treat your first try the way you’d treat trying any new drink for the first time: at home, with no plans to drive, and without a full schedule the next morning until you know how it affects you.

Read the full label. Serving size, THC content per serving, and any interaction warnings are printed directly on the packaging. Zipps staff can point you to that information in-store, but the label itself is the most accurate source.

What to Look for on the Label

Because this category is still relatively new, it’s worth knowing what a compliant hemp beverage label should include before you buy. Look for:

• Total THC content per serving and per container, listed in milligrams
• A statement confirming Delta-9 THC content stays under 0.3 percent by dry weight, which is what keeps the product classified as hemp rather than marijuana under federal law
• A batch number or reference to independent lab testing, sometimes called a Certificate of Analysis or COA, which confirms the cannabinoid content matches what’s on the label
• Standard warning language, including guidance against use during pregnancy and a note that effects may take time to appear

If a product you’re considering doesn’t clearly list this information, that’s worth treating as a red flag, regardless of where you’re buying it.

A Few Ground Rules Before You Try One

• You must be 21 or older with valid photo ID to purchase, no exceptions, at every Zipps location. This has been required under state rule since January 21, 2026.
• Don’t drive after consuming a hemp beverage. Treat it the way you’d treat any product that can affect your judgment or reaction time.
• If you take prescription medication, especially blood thinners or sedatives, or have a heart condition, check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
• Don’t combine hemp beverages with alcohol in the same sitting. Mixing intoxicants of any kind makes it harder to gauge how you actually feel.
• Store these products the way you would any intoxicating item, out of reach of children and pets, and never in a container that could be mistaken for a regular soft drink.
• Start with a partial serving if you’re new to hemp beverages. You can always have more later. You can’t undo too much.
• These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and none of the claims in this article should be read as medical guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are THC drinks legal in Texas in 2026? 

Yes. Hemp-derived THC beverages under 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC by dry weight are legal for adults 21 and older to purchase at TABC-licensed retailers in Texas. This is a separate category from smokable hemp products, which were restricted under different rules in March 2026.

Do I need a medical card to buy Willy’s Remedy in Texas? 

No. Hemp-derived THC beverages don’t require a medical card or a qualifying condition. Texas’s medical cannabis program is a separate, more restrictive system available only through licensed dispensaries.

Will a hemp beverage show up on a drug test? 

Standard drug tests can’t reliably distinguish hemp-derived THC from other sources of THC. If you’re subject to workplace or other drug testing, it’s safest to avoid THC products of any kind.

Can I drive after drinking a hemp beverage? 

No. Driving under the influence of THC is illegal in Texas regardless of whether it came from hemp or marijuana.

Which Zipps Liquor locations carry Willy’s Remedy? 

Availability currently includes the Onalaska, Nacogdoches (US-59), Gun Barrel City, Troup (served by the Arp location), Palestine, Winfield, Mineral Wells, and Quitman stores. Call your nearest Zipps to confirm current stock, since this is a newer category and inventory can vary.

Is Willy’s Remedy the same as Willie Nelson’s CBD brand? 

No. Willie’s Remedy is a separate, non-intoxicating CBD line including coffee, tea, and tinctures. Willy’s Remedy+ is the hemp-derived THC beverage line covered in this article. The two brands are easy to confuse online, so it’s worth checking which one you’re looking at before ordering.

Could Willy’s Remedy become illegal in Texas later this year? 

Possibly, depending on how a federal rule taking effect November 12, 2026, is implemented. That rule caps finished hemp products at 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container, and some current hemp beverage products, including some Willy’s Remedy formulations, are reported to exceed that limit. If the rule takes effect as written, availability of specific products could change. Check with Zipps staff for the most current status if you’re a regular buyer.