Data Show That Cannabis Dispensaries Reduce Heavy Alcohol Use

Adults who reside in close proximity to licensed cannabis dispensaries are less likely to engage in binge drinking, according to data published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Oregon State University researchers assessed the relationship between local retail cannabis access and adults’ use of marijuana and alcohol over eight years.

They reported that proximity to cannabis retailers was associated with increased cannabis use by adults, but not by minors. They also reported that cannabis access was inversely associated with heavy alcohol use by young adults (those ages 21 to 24 years old) and seniors (those ages 65 and older).

“Consistent with substitution, … older adults and young adults showed access-related decreases in binge drinking,” the study’s authors reported.

They added: “Frequent or high-volume alcohol use causes myriad acute and lifelong health risks to drinkers and those around them. Therefore, a relative reduction in older and young adults’ high-risk drinking may be a net positive effect of shifting cannabis policies.”

The study’s conclusions are consistent with data published earlier this year, finding that many adults reduce their alcohol intake following the opening of state-licensed marijuana dispensaries.

Other studies have previously linked marijuana access to lower levels of opioid-related mortality.