Cannabis Beverages Are Replacing Alcohol
… And the numbers are striking!
Fewer people than ever are drinking alcohol.
You might even be noticing the change that yes, some people still drink, but they’re drinking something else: cannabis beverages instead of harmful alcohol. Booze was once the dominant social lubricant of choice for bars, social circles, and living rooms around the world, but that is no longer the case. People are choosing healthier ways to unwind and decompress, and weed is increasingly seen as the champion when it comes to healthier ways to relax.
Cannabis beverages are becoming more accessible, and no doubt they are much cleaner than booze. They don’t come with brutal hangovers, have less calories, and don’t cause aggressive or violent behavior. It’s easy to include cannabis drinks while embracing a wellness-oriented lifestyle.
It’s also good to know that cannabis drinks today are better formulated compared to their first few years in the market. The use of advancements such as nanoemulsification technology enables the drinks to have quicker onset times and take effect more consistently, which makes them comparable to having your favorite cocktail or alcoholic drink. They also come with attractive, sleek branding and exciting flavor profiles, which can seriously give alcohol a run for its money.
Cannabis beverages are no longer seen as something trendy; more people see it as a wholesome, healthier substitute to alcohol.
There are shocking numbers that back it up, too.
Cannabis Beverage Drinkers Cut Down Alcohol Consumption By Nearly Half
According to a study by the University of Buffalo, people who made the switch to marijuana drinks reduced their consumption of alcoholic beverages by almost half. This study is one of many that prove cannabis beverages are a great way to help people cut down their alcohol consumption.
Based on the researchers’ findings, individuals who consumed cannabis drinks reduced alcohol intake by nearly half, and they also decreased their binge drinking tendencies. They believe that cannabis drinks have the ability to replicate alcohol’s social experience, such as being able to drink it at social events without actually drinking booze.
“In the first study of its kind, we introduce the concept of using cannabis as harm reduction for alcohol. Cannabis has been proposed as a harm reduction for other drugs, such as opioids, but not talked about as often for legal substances such as alcohol,” explains Jessica Kruger, PhD, the study’s first author. She is also a clinical associate professor at the University of Buffalo, focusing on community health and health behavior.
Their findings are important because they suggest that drinking cannabis beverages can help individuals replace alcohol and even reduce their risk for alcohol-related harms.
She also acknowledged that mainstream acceptance may take some time. “I think we have a long way to go before this is seen as mainstream, as cannabis beverages are a new modality of use,” she added.
However, consumers may find transitioning to cannabis drinks simple, given that they come in an exciting array of flavors and formats. Many cannabis drinks are already sold in cans which mimic the experience of drinking a hard seltzer or beer; there are also bottles of cannabis-infused wines, and the like.
Cannabis Drinks Are Competing With Alcohol
A recent CoBank report further validates these findings. According to the report, wine consumption around the world was at its lowest ever back in 2024. Furthermore, alcohol sales volume in the United States continues to decline, especially among wine, beer, and spirits categories. The Gen Z population has been found to consume 20% less compared to millennials, while 41% of consumers have actively been trying to reduce their alcohol intake.
Additionally, according to researchers, non-alcoholic beverage sales are a fast-growing market, and 58% of all consumers admitted their interest in trying non-alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and spirits. Sales of non-alcoholic beverages continue to grow, and the sales of non-alcoholic beer and wine are a fast-growing segment.
They have also found that consumption of weed has even eclipsed alcohol in some contexts, while around 25% of consumers intended to try marijuana drinks. Consumers are interested in them because they have fewer calories, and are seen as a more natural option.
The Shift Is Partial, Not Total
More people are choosing to drink cannabis drinks than alcohol, and the numbers are there to prove it.
While cannabis drinks are gaining momentum, we aren’t seeing them fully replace alcohol just yet, and there are many reasons for this.
For one, alcohol is still so deeply ingrained in society and culture. Weed is pretty mainstream, but it hasn’t reached the level of social acceptance that alcohol has just yet. From nightlife to weddings, business events, and even just a way to relax, drinking alcohol has already been normalized. Sadly, cannabis in beverage form still carries a stigma, particularly in more conservative communities and societies.
Second, the legality of alcohol is still a major obstacle. Marijuana laws in the United States remain fragmented and inconsistent at best. Even if most states have already legalized cannabis for medical or recreational use, it remains illegal in the eyes of the federal government.
Last but not least, the cannabis beverage industry is still one that’s maturing. It’s still in its infancy, to say the least.
Conclusion
The growing popularity of cannabis beverages represents a cultural shift in how people are choosing to relax and unwind. More people are opting for the healthier way to relax, choosing substances that align with their values, lifestyle, and health.
Eventually, we may see cannabis as a substance that doesn’t just compete with alcohol, but one that can redefine the category altogether.
CANNABIS BEVERAGES AND THE RETAIL MARKET, READ ON..
