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THC beverages are perfect for laid-back social gatherings.
Cannabis is quickly becoming the premier alternative to alcohol at social events.
Whether you prefer to unwind with a glass of wine or a cannabis gummy, it’s clear that alcohol and cannabis are two of the most popular substances people use to relax, socialize, and celebrate.
Of course, alcohol has been a longtime favorite, but lately, more and more people are making the switch from alcoholic beverages to THC drinks.
This shift is more than a blip — it’s a trend. In fact, according to a 2022 study, 40% of U.S. adults are replacing their alcohol consumption with cannabis use.
Alcohol and Cannabis Laws
History of Alcohol Legality
In the United States, the most infamous chapter in alcohol’s legal history is the Prohibition era (1920-1933), the years during which the 18th Amendment banned the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol. The idea was to stop people from drinking.
Instead, Prohibition provoked a wave of bootlegging and speakeasies. As well-intentioned as Prohibition may have been, it couldn’t alter human nature — or stem the flow of alcohol.
In 1933, the passage of the 21st Amendment officially ended Prohibition. Decades later, via the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, the government required states to prohibit anyone younger than 21 from buying or publicly possessing alcohol, a law that remains today.
History of Marijuana Legality
Cannabis has had an even rockier legal history. In 1937, the Marijuana Tax Act federally restricted the recreational use of marijuana but specified that it could still be used for medical purposes.
In 1969, the Supreme Court ruled that this act violated the Fifth Amendment’s protection against self-incrimination. The reprieve was short-lived. The very next year, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 banned the use of marijuana for any purpose. By the end of the century, however, efforts to legalize cannabis were picking up steam, and laws and attitudes about cannabis began to change.
California led the way by legalizing medical cannabis in 1996. Since then, 38 states have legalized medical marijuana, and 24 states, plus Washington D.C. and Guam, have legalized cannabis for recreational use.
There have also been federal advancements regarding cannabis’ legality. The 2018 Farm Bill was a significant milestone in cannabis legislation as it legalized the production and sale of hemp, allowing adults across the country to purchase hemp-derived CBD and THC products.
Social and Economic Impact
Public Perception and Social Consumption
Alcohol has experienced mainstream acceptance for a long time while cannabis has had to deal with a lot of stigma due to its illegal status.
A January 2024 Pew Research Center survey found that some nine out of ten Americans support legalizing marijuana for medical or recreational use. This is a massive shift compared to just a few decades ago.
As public perception shifts, so do social drinking habits. Around the country, many bars and restaurants now offer THC drinks as an alternative to alcohol.
A recent study of Crescent Canna customers found that 69% of THC beverage drinkers reduced or eliminated their alcohol consumption because they prefer how THC drinks make them feel, want to avoid the negative effects of alcohol like hangovers, and like the fact that most THC seltzers have fewer calories and less sugar than alcoholic drinks.
Due to often being low-calorie and not having negative wellness effects, THC seltzers are considered a healthier alcohol alternative.
Economic Impact
The economic impact of the alcohol and cannabis industries is huge. The multinational bank TD Cowen reports that in 2023, marijuana sales reached $29 billion, about 11% of alcohol sales in that year and an increase of 4% from five years earlier.
Cannabis sales are expected to grow by another 7% annually over the next five years, reaching $37 billion in 2027 as more states legalize cannabis and as demand increases.
Effects on Mind and Body
Health Effects of Alcohol
In moderation, alcohol can benefit you. For example, the antioxidant properties of red wine may help your heart. Alcohol also helps you relax and feel more comfortable in social situations.
However, excessive drinking can cause health problems, including liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and certain kinds of cancer. Alcohol is also associated with a higher likelihood of accidents and injuries due to impaired judgment and motor skills.
Health Effects of Cannabis
Cannabis also offers many benefits, particularly in the realm of health and wellness, providing relief and boosting your mindset, along with enhancing social experiences.
Lacking the adverse health effects of alcohol, cannabis is often a healthier choice. However, like alcohol, it is intoxicating and can impair judgment and motor skills.
Consumption Trends
In recent years, alcohol consumption has declined, especially among young adults. Gallup reported that 62% of adults under the age of 35 are drinkers, down from 72% twenty years earlier. It seems that the younger generations are opting for non-alcoholic alternatives.
While alcohol consumption is on the decline, cannabis use is on the rise. A 2024 Gallup survey reported that 17% of U.S. adults regularly use cannabis, up from the 7% who reported doing so in 2013.
This increase is likely driven by the growing legalization of cannabis and the availability of a wider variety of cannabis products, such as THC edibles. The trend suggests that as cannabis becomes more accessible and socially accepted, more people are choosing it over alcohol.
Will cannabis someday be as common as a glass of wine at dinner? Only time will tell, but the trends are certainly pointing in that direction.
Jessica is a content writer with seven years of experience. She’s passionate about holistic health and wellness, so she has focused on writing about the therapeutic benefits of cannabis for the past four years.