Study: Cannabis Drinks Linked to 50% Drop in Alcohol Use, University at Buffalo Study Find
- Adults who began using cannabis-infused beverages reduced their alcohol consumption by about 52%, with many reporting fewer binge-drinking episodes and some quitting alcohol entirely.
- The study surveyed 438 adults who used cannabis in the past year, finding that 56% also consumed alcohol and roughly one-third used cannabis beverages, typically one drink per occasion.
- Participants using cannabis beverages were more likely to substitute cannabis for alcohol (58.6%) compared to users of other cannabis forms (47.2%), with most consuming products containing 10 mg or less of CBD.
- Researchers suggest that the social familiarity of cannabis beverages, which resemble beer or seltzers, may facilitate alcohol substitution; they also highlight that cannabis generally poses fewer health risks than alcohol, which is linked to numerous diseases and cancers.
A new study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs finds that adults who began using cannabis-infused beverages cut their alcohol consumption nearly in half, with many reporting fewer binge-drinking episodes and some stopping alcohol use entirely. The research was conducted by scientists from the University at Buffalo’s School of Public Health and Health Professions
Researchers surveyed 438 adults who had used cannabis within the past year. Of those, 56% also reported consuming alcohol. Roughly one-third said they used cannabis beverages, typically consuming one per occasion.
Among participants who began using cannabis drinks, average weekly alcohol consumption dropped from 7.02 drinks to 3.35 drinks, an approximately 52% decrease. They also reported fewer binge-drinking episodes after incorporating cannabis beverages into their routine.
Overall, 62.6% of respondents said they reduced or stopped drinking alcohol after starting cannabis beverages. Specifically, 61.5% said they reduced their alcohol intake, while 1.1% reported quitting alcohol altogether. A small share, 3.3%, said they increased their drinking.
Participants who used cannabis beverages were more likely to report substituting cannabis for alcohol (58.6%) compared to those using other forms of cannabis, such as flower or edibles (47.2%).
Most cannabis beverage consumers reported using products containing 10 milligrams of CBD or less (89.5%), while 10.4% used beverages with more than 10 milligrams of CBD. Nearly 48% said they did not know the CBD content of their drinks.
According to survey responses, nearly 82% of cannabis beverage users said they purchased their products from licensed medical or adult-use dispensaries.
Researchers suggest that the familiar experience of holding and sipping a canned beverage in social settings may help explain the substitution effect. Cannabis drinks are often packaged similarly to beer or hard seltzer, which may make them an easier alternative at parties or bars.
The authors note that alcohol use is associated with at least seven types of cancer and nearly 200 diseases and medical conditions, while cannabis generally presents fewer health risks, particularly when compared to heavy drinking.