Is Cannabis Replacing Alcohol? New Survey Says YES for 75% of Young Adults

Key Takeaways

• 75% of young adults (ages 21-34) use cannabis as an alcohol alternative at least once weekly
• 88% prefer cannabis over alcohol due to fewer negative side effects
• 69% believe cannabis offers better health benefits compared to alcohol
• 77% report cannabis helps them manage anxiety more effectively than alcohol
• The survey suggests a significant shift in substance preferences among younger generations

A recent survey has found that three-quarters of young adults report using marijuana as an alternative to alcohol at least once a week, indicating a significant shift in substance preferences among younger generations.

The survey, conducted by Bloomberg Intelligence (BI), polled 1,000 Americans between the ages of 21 and 34 who reported using both cannabis and alcohol.

According to the findings, 75% of respondents said they substitute cannabis for alcohol a minimum of once per week. When asked about their reasons for choosing marijuana over alcohol, 88% cited “fewer negative side effects” as a primary factor.

Health considerations played a major role in these preferences, with 69% of respondents believing that cannabis provides better health benefits compared to alcohol. Additionally, 77% reported that cannabis helps them manage anxiety more effectively than drinking.

“When it comes to drinking, hangovers, dehydration and other impacts are real,” the Bloomberg Intelligence report noted. “Cannabis is providing consumers with an option that gives them the relaxing, unwinding benefits they’re seeking, without the potential physical downsides they want to avoid.”

The survey also revealed that relaxation was the top reason young adults consume both substances, with 96% citing this motivation for cannabis use and 91% for alcohol consumption.

These findings align with broader trends observed in recent years, as alcohol sales have declined while legal cannabis markets continue to expand. A 2023 Gallup poll found that Americans now view marijuana as less harmful than alcohol, with 53% believing alcohol is “very harmful” compared to just 27% who said the same about marijuana.

Previous research has also documented the trend of cannabis substitution for alcohol. A 2021 study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy found that 44% of medical cannabis patients reported decreasing their alcohol consumption after beginning cannabis use.

Steven Hoffman, chairman of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, has previously noted the potential public health benefits of this substitution effect. “If people are replacing alcohol with cannabis, from a public health perspective that could be a good thing,” Hoffman said in a 2020 interview, citing evidence suggesting cannabis is less harmful to public health than alcohol.

As cannabis legalization continues to expand across the United States, with recreational use now legal in 24 states and medical use permitted in 38, these changing consumption patterns may have significant implications for both industries and public health outcomes.

The full report from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) provides further insights into these changing consumption patterns.