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Association of Recreational Cannabis Legalization With Alcohol Use Among Adults in the US, 2010 to 2019
JAMA Health Forum. 2022;3(11):e224069. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2022.4069
Abstract
Importance In the US, cannabis use has nearly doubled during the past decade, in part because states have implemented recreational cannabis laws (RCLs). However, it is unclear how legalization of adult-use cannabis may affect alcohol consumption.
Objective To estimate the association between implementation of state RCLs and alcohol use among adults in the US.
Exposures States with RCLs, as reported by the RAND−University of Southern California Schaeffer Opioid Policy Tools and Information Center.
Main Outcomes and Measures Past-month alcohol use, binge drinking, and heavy drinking.
Results Of 4.2 million respondents (median age group, 50-64 years; 2 476 984 [51.7%] women; 2 978 467 [58.3%] non-Hispanic White individuals) in 2010 through 2019, 321 921 individuals lived in state-years with recreational cannabis laws. Recreational cannabis laws were associated with a 0.9 percentage point (95% CI, 0.1-1.7; P = .02) increase in any alcohol drinking but were not significantly associated with binge or heavy drinking. Increases in any alcohol use were primarily among younger adults (18-24 years) and men, as well as among non-Hispanic White respondents and those without any college education. A 1.4 percentage point increase (95% CI, 0.4-2.3; P = .006) in binge drinking was also observed among men, although this association diminished over time.
Conclusions and Relevance This cross-sectional study and difference-in-differences analysis found that recreational cannabis laws in the US may be associated with increased alcohol use, primarily among younger adults and men.
Also see
- Cannabis Vs Alcohol: A Population-Based Analysis of the Relationship Between Substance Use and Adolescent Cognitive Development
- Dual Use of Alcohol & Cannabis a Real Problem for Young Adults – Greater Risk of Alcohol Use Disorder? Dual use of alcohol and cannabis appears to be associated with adverse behavioral and psychological consequences and is a rapidly growing public health concern.
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The Disastrous Californian Cannabis Legalization Experiment – More than promises ‘Up in Smoke’!
Also see ‘Then There Were Three – Marijuana Markets, That Is!’
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There is some evidence that marijuana can reduce symptoms of depression in the short term. Some users say it helps them feel more relaxed, happy, and peaceful.
A 2020 study published in The Journal of Biology and Medicine found that about 95% of people said marijuana gave them rapid short-term relief from depression symptoms.
A study published in 2018 in the Journal of Affective Disorders reported similar fast-acting benefits. It found that people who took just two puffs of medical marijuana said the drug improved their symptoms of depression by about 50%. But continued use seemed to worsen their symptoms.
Bottom Line: Right now, there’s no good evidence that marijuana can give you long-term relief from depression. More studies show the drug can have harmful effects when you have the mood disorder, particularly if you begin use in your teens. Depression and Marijuana: What to Know (webmd.com)
More research says…
- …Often can leave you anxious, afraid, panicked, or paranoid. Using marijuana may raise your chances for clinical depression or worsen the symptoms of any mental disorders you already have. Scientists aren’t yet sure exactly why. In high doses, it can make you paranoid or lose touch with reality so you hear or see things that aren’t there. How Weed Affects Your Mind & Body (webmd.co
- All Young Cannabis Users Face Psychosis Risk
- Cannabis and Mental Health
- Mulling up Cannabis and psychosis – Lancet Warning on Cannabis and Psychosis
- C.I.P #CannabisInducedPsychosis - Prominent, Growing & Devastating
- Cannabis and Psychosis Through the Lens of DSM-5
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- Smoking is the most common cause of emphysema, a chronic lung condition resulting from air sacs becoming stretched and damaged.
- In a new study, researchers found that airway inflammation and emphysema are more common in people who smoke cannabis compared to cigarette smokers and non-smokers.
- “93% of the marijuana smokers had emphysema rather than 67% of the tobacco-only smokers,”
- The researchers also found that cannabis smokers had higher rates of airway inflammation.
- Cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with mental disorders in children that persist into early adolescence (September 2022)
- More and More Kids Poisoned by Cannabis Candies and More!
- Atrial Fibrillation from the ‘Chill’ Drug? Hmmm only News to some!
- Death risk for individuals with cannabis use disorders is Higher with alcohol use disorders