Alcohol consumption is associated with serious health risks and social challenges, including a connection to various diseases and medical conditions. In contrast, cannabis is often viewed as a safer alternative, especially when compared to heavy alcohol use.
A recent study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs marks a pioneering effort to investigate cannabis drinks as a viable option for reducing alcohol-related harm.
Understanding Harm Reduction
Harm reduction refers to a public health strategy aimed at minimizing the adverse effects of substance use. While complete abstinence from substances like alcohol and tobacco may be ideal, many individuals continue to use these legal substances. The focus of harm reduction is on decreasing risks instead of insisting on total avoidance.
"This groundbreaking study introduces the idea of utilizing cannabis as a harm reduction method for alcohol use. While cannabis has been suggested for harm reduction in the context of other drugs, its potential for legal substances like alcohol has not been widely discussed," explains Jessica Kruger, PhD, the study's lead author and a clinical associate professor at UB's School of Public Health and Health Professions.
She acknowledges that widespread acceptance of cannabis beverages may take time. "We still have a long journey ahead before this concept becomes mainstream, as cannabis drinks represent a new method of consumption."
Growth of the Cannabis Beverage Market
The market for cannabis beverages is rapidly expanding. According to research by Euromonitor, global sales are projected to exceed $4 billion by 2028. Concurrently, many individuals in the U.S. are seeking ways to reduce their alcohol intake, not just during "Dry January."
The study involved a survey of 438 anonymous adults who had consumed cannabis within the past year. Among these participants, nearly 56% also reported alcohol consumption, with about one-third indicating they used cannabis beverages, typically consuming one per occasion.
Those who opted for cannabis drinks were more likely to report substituting cannabis for alcohol (58.6%) compared to those using other cannabis products (47.2%).
Consumption Patterns and CBD Levels
A majority of respondents who drank cannabis beverages reported products containing 10 mg of cannabidiol (CBD) or less (89.5%). Only 10.4% consumed beverages with over 10 mg of CBD, while nearly half (48%) were unaware of the CBD content.
Individuals who began incorporating cannabis beverages into their routine noted a substantial decrease in their alcohol consumption. On average, they reported consuming 3.35 alcoholic drinks per week after starting cannabis beverages, down from 7.02 prior to that. They also experienced fewer instances of binge drinking.
Approximately two-thirds of participants (62.6%) reported either reducing (61.5%) or completely ceasing (1.1%) their alcohol intake after beginning to consume cannabis beverages, while only a small fraction (3.3%) indicated an increase in alcohol consumption.
Why Cannabis Beverages May Supplant Alcohol
The results suggest that cannabis beverages could serve as a substitute for alcohol, potentially mitigating alcohol-related risks.
"Several previous studies, including ours, have shown that individuals can lower their alcohol consumption by switching to cannabis," states Daniel Kruger, PhD, a co-author of the paper and research associate professor at UB's School of Public Health and Health Professions.
"Notably, those using cannabis beverages report a more significant reduction in alcohol use compared to users of other cannabis forms. This may be attributed to the similarities in how these products are consumed and the social contexts in which they are used--such as parties or bars where people typically hold a drink," he adds.
Cannabis drinks are often packaged in cans resembling beer or hard seltzer, which may enhance their appeal in social situations. As more states legalize cannabis for adult use, these products are becoming increasingly available. In New York, the first legally sold cannabis beverage hit the market in January 2023, shortly after licensed cannabis sales commenced.
Nearly 82% of survey respondents who consumed cannabis beverages reported purchasing them from licensed medical or adult-use dispensaries.
The research team intends to further explore the long-term effects of cannabis beverages on drinking behavior and compare various methods of cannabis consumption.
Contributions to the study were also made by Nicholas Felicione, PhD, an assistant professor of community health and health behavior at UB. The research team expressed gratitude to their community partners, Premier Earth and Star Buds, both licensed cannabis dispensaries in the Buffalo area, for their assistance with survey distribution.