A study published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine found a link between reduced alcohol use and proximity to legal cannabis dispensaries. The study showed that both younger and older adults were less likely to engage in excessive drinking as a result of state-licensed cannabis access. The study adds timely insights into cannabis use at a time when a growing number of research studies point to the benefits of legal cannabis access and increased attention to using cannabis to reduce alcohol cravings. The slang phrase ”California sober” has been trending as an increasing number of adults use cannabis as a tool to stop or reduce excessive alcohol use.
Oregon State University researchers further explored how local access to cannabis dispensaries influences patterns of substance use. They assessed associations between cannabis retailer density and both cannabis and alcohol use, analyzing eight years of data on young adults (ages 21 to 24) and seniors (65 and older) in Oregon.
The researchers analyzed data taken from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys (2014-2022) that reflected participants’ cannabis and alcohol consumption frequency and amounts over the past 30 days. They paired this data with a geospatial density measure of local cannabis retail access sites within each participant’s ZIP code.
Data analysis revealed some valuable insights regarding age and use patterns. Participants classified in the 21-24 and 65+ year old participant groups showed reduced likelihood of heavy alcohol use with greater cannabis retail access. Although proximity to cannabis retailers increased cannabis use by the adult participants, the researchers found no evidence of increased cannabis use among the subpopulation of minors in the study.
Additional recent research findings have highlighted the positive outcomes of cannabis use and decreases in binge-drinking. Overall, a growing body of cannabis research provides insights into how effective cannabis policy and practice can support moderate alcohol and cannabis consumption.
Sources: Journal of Preventative Medicine, NORML