Researchers at the University at Buffalo have uncovered evidence that drinking cannabis‑infused beverages could give some people a practical way to cut back on alcohol.
Heavy alcohol use is linked to a long list of health problems, from multiple cancers to nearly two hundred chronic conditions. By contrast, cannabis generally carries fewer severe risks, especially when it replaces large amounts of alcohol.
The findings, published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, represent the first systematic look at cannabis drinks as a possible tool for reducing alcohol‑related harm.
Understanding Harm‑Reduction Strategies
Harm reduction focuses on lowering the negative consequences of substance use rather than insisting on total abstinence. Many adults continue to enjoy legal substances such as alcohol, tobacco or cannabis, so approaches that make those habits safer are gaining attention.
Growth of the Cannabis Beverage Market
Market analysts predict that worldwide sales of cannabis‑infused drinks could top $4 billion by 2028. At the same time, a growing number of Americans are looking for alternatives to alcohol, not only during “Dry January.”
In the study, 438 anonymous adults who had used cannabis in the past year answered an online survey. More than half of them (56 %) also reported drinking alcohol, and about one‑third said they had tried a cannabis beverage, usually consuming a single serving per occasion.
Those who chose cannabis drinks were more likely to say they were swapping alcohol for cannabis (58.6 %) compared with participants who used other cannabis products (47.2 %).
What Drinkers Said About CBD Levels
Among respondents who drank cannabis beverages, the vast majority (89.5 %) said the product contained 10 mg of cannabidiol (CBD) or less. A smaller segment (10.4 %) reported higher CBD concentrations, while nearly half (48 %) were unsure of the exact amount.
People who began using cannabis drinks reported a noticeable drop in how often they drank alcohol. On average, weekly alcohol consumption fell from 7.0 drinks to 3.4 drinks after they started incorporating cannabis beverages, and binge‑drinking episodes also declined.
Overall Impact on Drinking Habits
After trying cannabis beverages, 62.6 % of participants said they either reduced (61.5 %) or stopped (1.1 %) drinking alcohol altogether. Only 3.3 % indicated they were drinking more.
Why a Drink Might Substitute Alcohol
The researchers suggest the similarity in how both products are consumed—hand‑held cans that look like beer or hard seltzer—makes it easy for users to replace an alcoholic drink with a cannabis‑infused one in social settings such as parties or bars.
As more states legalize adult‑use cannabis, these beverages are becoming more widely available. New York, for example, saw its first legal cannabis drink hit shelves in January 2023, shortly after the state’s regulated market opened.
Nearly 82 % of survey respondents who tried cannabis drinks said they bought them from licensed medical or adult‑use dispensaries.
Next Steps
The research team plans to follow participants over a longer period to see whether the reduction in alcohol use persists and to compare the effects of different cannabis consumption methods.
Funding and logistical support for the survey came from local dispensaries Premier Earth and Star Buds, which helped distribute the questionnaire throughout the Buffalo area.