Overview
ZME Science reports on the University at Buffalo study (Journal of Psychoactive Drugs) finding cannabis beverage users cut weekly alcohol intake from 7.02 to 3.35 drinks—nearly in half. Among 438 adults surveyed, 62.6% reduced or stopped drinking alcohol entirely, with fewer binge episodes reported. Researchers attribute the substitution to the familiar social format of holding a canned beverage. The cannabis beverage market has grown to $1B+, with 76% from hemp-derived products. Global projections suggest $4B by 2028. However, the Nov 2026 federal ban’s 0.4mg THC cap per container would eliminate most of these products.
Clinical Perspective
CANNABIS BEVERAGES AS ALCOHOL HARM REDUCTION
The UB study (Journal of Psychoactive Drugs): 438 adults who consumed cannabis beverages cut alcohol from 7 to 3.35 drinks/week. 62.6% reduced or stopped drinking. The familiar ‘can in hand’ format makes substitution psychologically easy.
The market is $1B+, projected $4B by 2028. But the Nov ban would cap THC at 0.4mg per container, eliminating virtually every cannabis beverage. We have peer-reviewed evidence these products reduce alcohol harm—a leading cause of preventable death. And the government is about to ban them.
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