As more states legalize medical and recreational cannabis, residents in proximity to regulated retail sites report the benefits and disadvantages for the local community.
Several emerging studies have documented positive health outcomes. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that fewer young adults reported using alcohol following the opening of licensed cannabis retailers.
The researchers assessed the relationship between adult-use legalization laws and alcohol and tobacco use. The cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2012-2022 behavioral risk factor surveillance system using a difference-in-differences approach and adjusted for individual-level characteristics and time-varying state-level factors.
The study indicated limited effects on population-wide alcohol and tobacco consumption following legalization, but one finding revealed decreased use among specific demographic cohorts. Specifically, college-educated adults and individuals aged 30 to 39 curtailed their use of alcohol and tobacco products post-legalization. Alcohol consumption also dropped among young adults (ages 18-29). The analysis also found that older adults (those aged 50 to 59) cut back on cigarette intake and binge-drinking frequency. Many participants acknowledge substituting cannabis for alcohol or other substances. The researchers also found an association between cannabis law and increases in current smokeless tobacco use for some groups.
The study emphasizes the complexity of cannabis laws on alcohol and tobacco use. The study authors concluded that "Alcohol and cannabis, as well as tobacco and cannabis, may function as both complements and substitutes. Different individuals may use these substances for either reason, and the same individuals may engage in complementary or substitute behaviors depending on personal preference and accessibility." Future research analyzing the longitudinal effects of recreational cannabis law will provide valuable insights for healthcare practice and substance use awareness.
Sources: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, NORML
