top of page
Writer's pictureTHC INDIA STORE

Cannabis Legalization: Decreasing Alcohol and Cigarette Use

As cannabis laws change in the U.S., we ask: Does letting people use weed for fun or medicine lower how much we drink and smoke? This study looks into what happens with booze and cigarettes when states make pot easier to get. It checks if people drink or smoke less when they can get weed1.


This studying team looked at data from all 50 states to see if making weed legal changes how much people drink and smoke. They used special math to compare sales of booze and cigarettes before and after states' marijuana laws changed. What they found can help make better rules for everyone on what's good to use or not1.

A serene and peaceful scene depicting a small village where people are seen engaging in outdoor activities such as cycling, jogging, or playing games, with cannabis plants in the background. The sky is clear and blue, suggesting a bright and happy day. The main focus of the image should be on the community coming together to enjoy life, and the cannabis plants serve as a symbol of the benefits of the legalization of marijuana, such as decreased alcohol and cigarette use.

Key Takeaways

  • More than 35 states have passed medical cannabis policies as of the study1.

  • Recreational cannabis use will be legal in at least eleven states and the District of Columbia as of January 20201.

  • Both medical and recreational cannabis policies were associated with significantly decreased per capita cigarette sales compared to states with no medical cannabis policy1.

  • A marked reduction in per capita alcohol sales in retail venues was observed in states that enacted medical cannabis policies during 2006-20151.

  • Alcohol and cigarettes are among the top contributors to morbidity, mortality, and health care costs in the United States1.


Background on Cannabis Legalization

Cannabis has a long story in the United States. It became illegal at the federal level back in the 1930s2. But, in recent years, many states have made it okay to use for medical reasons. Some of these states also say it's fine to use just for fun2. Since January 2020, people can use cannabis for fun in eleven states and in D.C2..


History of Cannabis Policies in the United States

Back in the early 1900s, folks worried about cannabis's bad effects. This worry made the whole country say no to cannabis2. Today, some states are okay with cannabis, but not the whole country. This difference in opinion about cannabis's legality is still a big topic2.


Potential Health Effects of Cannabis Use

People keep talking about the good and bad sides of cannabis. Some think it helps with pain and makes us feel better2. But others worry it could hurt our lungs and thinking2. Making cannabis legal might also change how much we drink or smoke cigarettes2.

Metric

Value

Reference

Trends in cannabis use among older adults in the US (2015-2018)

Increase

Marijuana use and related indicators in the US (2002-2014)

Increase

Trends in cannabis use prevalence in Canada (1985-2015)

Increase

Cannabis use among people with depression in the US (2005-2017)

Rapid increase

Cannabis-involved driving prevalence in California

Increase

Making cannabis okay has different effects on drinking and cigarette smoking3. In some places, people drink less once they can use cannabis. But in others, drinking a lot in a short time has gone up3. We're still not sure how cannabis and alcohol or cigarettes mix. More research is needed to understand this better.


We're still learning about cannabis's health effects and how it changes other habits. This topic is still being talked about and studied a lot2. With more states making it legal, we need to study how this choice affects public health strategies. Knowing these things will help make better rules24.


Substitution or Complementarity: Key Concepts

Experts in public health, drug rules, and economics look at how using cannabis might link to using alcohol and cigarettes. They try to figure out if cannabis makes people use less alcohol and cigarettes or more5.


If using more cannabis means drinking and smoking less, that shows they can replace each other. But, if people use cannabis along with alcohol and cigarettes, it might mean using more of all of them5.


Understanding Economic Substitution and Complementarity

Experts check what happens when the cost or how easy it is to get one drug changes, if using another drug also changes. If using one drug goes down as another gets cheaper or easier to find, that's substitution. But, if using one drug goes up when another does, that's complementary.


These discoveries are key for those making health and drug rules. They help with plans to quit smoking, fight addiction, and set up better drug rules5.


Looking into substitution and complementarity gives experts clues. They use these to make smart choices and plan better ways to handle drug use problems5.

"Understanding the connection between using cannabis and using alcohol and cigarettes is vital. This knowledge helps make good public health rules and actions."

As rules about drugs change, it's important to see what legalizing cannabis might do to drinking and smoking36.


Impacts of Cannabis Policies on Alcohol Consumption

The link between cannabis and alcohol use has folks talking and scientists studying it. Many studies have looked at whether users switch or use both substances together. They check this against the backdrop of changing rules around cannabis7.


Studies on Alcohol Consumption Trends

From 2014 to 2019, the University of Washington dug into how folks from 21 to 25 used things like alcohol7. They saw use of alcohol and cigarettes drop, along with misusing pain meds, once nonmedical cannabis became legal7. But, vaping went up for this age group after 20167.


Paul Armentano from NORML pointed out that notions of cannabis leading to heavier substance use seem off. Data from places where it's legal often shows lower use of other substances. A recent study also linked marijuana legalization to less use of drugs for anxiety, sleep, and pain7.

"Medical marijuana use has been linked to using less opioids and other meds, and living better."7

A study from 2020 saw good possibilities in marijuana for pain. It may even offer an option over opioid-based painkillers7. Other research suggests cannabis can ease opioid withdrawal symptoms. Places with easy access to marijuana legally have seen less need for opioid prescriptions7.


Figuring out if cannabis laws affect alcohol use is tricky, with some research saying it does, and some saying it doesn't. The topic is quite complex and not always clear8. The move to make cannabis rules more relaxed is something many places worldwide are doing. This could change things in terms of our health, safety, and society8.


In the U.S., 23 states allow medical marijuana, and four say you can use it just for fun8. Research has found different patterns in how people use marijuana and alcohol. Yet, there's not enough info on what these changes mean. We need to study this more8.


A study looking at data from 2011 to 2022 revealed some interesting links. It found that using both drugs and drinking a lot went from 41% to 60%. The more someone drinks, the more likely they are to also use cocaine. Also, about 29% of folks who use medical marijuana also drink. Many have used or still use cannabis for fun8.


The unclear relationship between using cannabis and drinking varies depending on why, how, and when people use these things, per O'Hara et al9. These details show why we need more research. And why making rules should be based on solid facts9.


With the cannabis world changing fast, it's essential to know how this affects drinking habits. This knowledge is key for health efforts, making rules, and understanding the bigger picture.


Impacts of Cannabis Policies on Cigarette Smoking

More states are allowing the use of cannabis. It's important to check how this affects people's health. Lots of studies look at how cannabis laws affect drinking. But, there isn't much info on how they influence smoking cigarettes. Yet, in the U.S., smoking leads to many health problems and costs.

A study looked at 12,500 young adults from 2014 to 2019 in Washington State. It found that making cannabis legal in 2012 didn't lead more drinking or smoking10. In fact, the number of young people who drank, smoke, or took pain pills went down10.


More young adults started using e-cigarettes during this time. But, this rise wasn't because of legalizing cannabis10. It is interesting that since making cannabis legal, there's been less use of anxiety and pain medications. This includes drugs for sleep and seizures too10. Also, laws that make both medical and recreational cannabis more available have cut down on morphine use10.


Making cannabis rules is still a work in progress. We must keep an eye on how it affects health, including smoking and other drug use10118. Understanding these changes helps in making smart choices and targeting the right issues. This includes alcohol and tobacco use, and how they mix with cannabis.

Cannabis Policy Changes

Impacts on Substance Use

  • 38 states and D.C. have legalized medical cannabis11

  • 27 states and D.C. have decriminalized cannabis possession11

  • 20 states and D.C. have legalized cannabis for recreational use11

  • 38.3% of teens have tried cannabis by 12th grade11

  • 17.9% of teens used cannabis in the past year11

  • 20.2% of high school seniors used cannabis in the past month11

  • 6.3% of high school seniors reported daily cannabis use in 202211

  • 70% of 12th graders find cannabis "fairly easy to obtain"11

  • Increase in youth cannabis use following adult recreational cannabis laws, around 11%11

A visualization of the decline in cigarette use due to the legalization of cannabis. Show a group of people who were once regular cigarette smokers, now enjoying cannabis instead. The image should convey a sense of relaxation and enjoyment, with perhaps some greenery or nature elements present. Avoid any explicit reference to drug use and keep the tone upbeat and positive.

Rules on cannabis keep changing. It's key to grasp how they mix with drink and smoke habits. Learning from booze studies can offer good hints on how cannabis might change habits. This is crucial in making rules and health plans.

"The extant literature suggests evidence for both substitution and complementary relationships when analyzing the impact of more liberal marijuana policies on alcohol use in the United States."8

Some studies say that people often mix drugs, heavy drinking, and using cannabis together. This can happen over 40% to 60% of the time, but not with heroin8. Also, the more booze, the more likely someone is using cocaine too8. This shows a tangled web between cannabis, booze, and other drugs.

Making new cannabis rules has many effects on health. This change influences smoking and raises many questions about using various substances. By figuring out these links, leaders and health champs can weave strong plans. These can tackle the tricky issues that come with the new rules10118. This includes watching how people use cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco together.


Methodological Approaches to Study Policy Effects

Experts often use strong math to check how laws, like making cannabis legal, affect our health. They really like the difference-in-difference model. This model looks at changes within the same state before and after a new law to guess the real change caused by the law12.


This method looks at how something changes after a new law, like drinking or smoking, in states that made a change and those that did not. It helps them see if the new law really made a difference by not just looking at one state, but by comparing with others12.


Difference-in-Difference Regression Models

We used this cool math to study if making cannabis legal leads to more drinking or smoking. By comparing different states over time, we can see if there is a link between allowing cannabis and more use of other stuff12.


This way, we can figure out if making cannabis legal really changes how much people drink or smoke. It gives us clues to how different laws about cannabis, drinking, or smoking affect the whole population12.

"The difference-in-difference method can isolate the impact of the policy intervention from other confounding factors that may have influenced the outcome."

By using strong math like the difference-in-difference model, we get solid info for making good health policies. It helps decide on laws about cannabis and how they might change using other stuff121314.


Cannabis Legalization- Decreasing Alcohol and Cigarette Use

More states in the US are making cannabis legal. This is for both medical and fun use. People are looking closely at what this means for our health. They want to know if it changes how much we drink and smoke.

Scientists have looked at how cannabis, alcohol, and cigarettes affect each other. It seems that when cannabis is made legal, some people drink and smoke less. This is mostly young people15.


In California, when cannabis became legal for fun, young people smoked and drank less. But, how cannabis rules affect young drinkers and smokers isn't clear. Some studies say it's good, some say not really15.


Other states saw similar things when cannabis became legal. People there drank and smoked less. They also used fewer pain pills badly. Less often, they had a problem with drinking too much1516.


So, making cannabis legal may help us drink and smoke less. But, the link between cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco is not simple. We need more research to see what really happens in the long run.

"The legalization of retail cannabis sales was associated with a 28% higher odds of zero cannabis use but a 26% higher frequency of use among users."16
A peaceful and vibrant park scene where people are enjoying the outdoors. In the foreground, a group of friends are sharing a joint while laughing and having a good time. In the background, there are people playing frisbee and enjoying a picnic. The scene should convey a sense of relaxation and community without any negative stereotypes associated with cannabis use.

Leaders and health experts must keep an eye on the effects of making cannabis legal. They need to see how it changes what we use. This way, they can make rules that are good for everyone.


To sum up, making cannabis legal might help us use less bad stuff like alcohol and cigarettes. But, we still need to learn more about these changes. This will help make better rules in the future.


Recreational Cannabis Legalization and Youth Substance Use

Legalizing recreational cannabis worries some about youth substance use. But, a study from California is eye-opening. It looked at young cannabis users in LA, before and after it was legal17.


This study showed cannabis use didn’t go up much after it was legalized. But, the number of young people using cigarettes and alcohol went down17. So, it seems they chose cannabis over more dangerous options17.


Other research supports these findings. It says legal cannabis means more young people might use marijuana and drink, but not smoke cigarettes much or think marijuana is safe18.


The study found different things connected to smoking cannabis. Things like being Black, living in cities, drinking to get drunk, smoking, and thinking cannabis isn’t risky or illegal much were factors18. Knowing about the risks makes youth less likely to use it18.


The impact on youth from legalizing cannabis is not simple. We need more research to understand. But, so far, it looks like legal cannabis lowers the use of more dangerous substances like alcohol and tobacco. This could be good for public health1718.


Findings from California Study

In California, a study found that legal cannabis doesn’t make young adults smoke more. It does make them smoke and drink less, showing they prefer cannabis17.


This goes against the idea that legal cannabis means more use of other drugs. It shows that some young people might pick cannabis over risky things like alcohol and tobacco17.

"The legalization of recreational cannabis in California has not led to the feared increase in the use of other substances, such as tobacco and alcohol, among young adults. In fact, the data shows a decrease in the frequency of use of these more harmful substances, which is a promising sign for public health."

Studying the effects of cannabis legalization is very important. The California study teaches us a lot. It challenges what we thought and shows how making cannabis legal might be good for public health1718.


Potential Public Health Implications

More places are legalizing cannabis, raising questions about its effects on public health19. The impact on young people using drugs hasn't been big yet19. But, experts want to look closer at how it might influence the use of alcohol and tobacco19.


People think letting cannabis be legal could lower how much alcohol and tobacco are used19. This change might really help public health because alcohol and cigarettes cause a lot of health problems. Also, making cannabis legal might mean less harm from other drugs, helping people stay safer19.


Harm Reduction and Substance Abuse Prevention

But, the ideas on what cannabis legalization means for health are not all the same20. Some say using less alcohol and tobacco has happened where they legalized cannabis19. Still, others found more people, especially young ones, are using cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco19. Figuring out the best rules and health plans is key to making cannabis legalization work well20.

A group of individuals representing different age groups and genders, all shown in a public setting. They are engaged in activities such as yoga, hiking, and biking, with a clear blue sky and scenic landscape in the background. The individuals are all depicted as healthy and happy, with no signs of addiction or negative health effects. In the foreground, there is an image of a cannabis plant growing in a pot, along with a small jar of cannabis buds. The focus of the image is on the benefits of cannabis use for overall health and wellness, and its potential to decrease alcohol and cigarette use.

How good or bad making cannabis legal is for public health depends on many things21. This includes the rules in place, how well we teach people about health, and how people's habits change. As we keep learning and making new rules based on facts about cannabis, we can handle its health effects better19.

"The legalization of cannabis presents both opportunities and challenges for public health. Careful consideration of regulatory frameworks and targeted interventions will be crucial in balancing the potential benefits and risks."

Regulatory Frameworks and Policy Considerations

Lawmakers are working hard to figure out cannabis rules. They focus on rules that keep us safe but also let us enjoy the good parts22. They look at how much it costs, who can buy it, and how it's shown to people. They also think about how it fits with helping people who might have problems with drugs or alcohol23.


A big part of making the rules is thinking about health. They worry about kids, how cannabis mixes with other things we might use, and the bad stuff from getting it through bad ways. They aim to let adults have cannabis right, making the bad ways to get it less needed23.


To make good rules, they think about what's most important. These include caring for everyone, being fair, working together, using what we know, and being able to change things if needed23. They can make rules about how old you have to be, what they can say to us, and how strong cannabis can be. Also, everyone should learn about using cannabis the right way23.


Everyone has a say in making the rules. This includes people from cities, experts, people who use cannabis for health, friends who push these ideas, bosses, and our native leaders. When we work together, the rules can help everyone, keeping us all safe23.

Regulatory Consideration

Objective

Example Measures

Pricing and Taxation

Balancing affordability and reducing illicit market

Minimum unit pricing, tax structures

Product Availability

Ensuring adult access while limiting youth access

Licensing requirements, purchase limits

Marketing and Advertising

Restricting promotion to minimize appeal to youth

Bans on lifestyle advertising, product placement

Addiction Treatment Integration

Providing support and resources for those in need

Referral systems, funding for treatment programs

Substance Abuse Prevention

Educating the public, protecting vulnerable populations

Public awareness campaigns, targeted interventions

Lawmakers create careful rules and ways to think about cannabis. They keep our health and safety in mind always23. Finding the right mix helps us avoid big dangers and enjoy the good parts of these changes23.


Economic and Social Impacts of Policy Reform

Cannabis legalization changes a lot, like in the alcohol and tobacco industries. This change happens as more people use cannabis and companies make other choices instead of alcohol and tobacco. So, this can really shake up these old ways of doing things24.


In recent years, the cannabis industry has grown a lot. Now, many places allow its use for fun or to help with health issues. By 2023, the money states got from taxing marijuana was over $4 billion. States like California and Washington made the most money24.


Allowing cannabis not only brings in money from taxes but also creates jobs and business chances. The top marijuana fund, MSOS, has more than $1 billion in its care as of 2024. But, we also need to think about the fairness and different harm cannabis laws caused to some people over others25.

an image showing a flourishing cannabis industry with green, leafy plants growing tall against a backdrop of factories and industrial buildings. The plants dominate the foreground of the image, representing the growth and potential of the industry. In the distance, a few people can be seen walking toward the factories, suggesting job growth and economic benefits. The sky is blue and clear, indicating positive environmental impacts. Overall, the image should convey a sense of progress and optimism for the future of the cannabis industry.

Alcohol and Tobacco Industry Implications

Cannabis becoming more available might mean people drink less alcohol and smoke fewer cigarettes. This could change a lot for these big industries. There has been research on how these changes can affect the economy, how we work, and how we live26.


This research shows that when cannabis is legal, what people use can change. They might start to choose less of the usual alcohol and tobacco. This choice could really shake up how these industries do business and how they reach out to customers26.


The cannabis world keeps growing and changing. It's important for those who make laws and business people to keep an eye on how legal cannabis affects the alcohol and tobacco industries. They need to understand these changes to make good rules and deal with the big effects of cannabis laws26.

"The legalization of cannabis has the potential to reshape the landscape of traditional industries, presenting both challenges and opportunities for stakeholders across the spectrum."

Cultural Shifts and Societal Attitudes

The world is changing its views on using cannabis, both for health needs and fun. This change is making people think differently about drugs and addiction. It's important to watch how this new approach affects what people think and do about drugs like alcohol and tobacco27.


Since cannabis was made legal, less people use alcohol and cigarettes, says a 2022 UN report27. A 2019 Lancet study talks about how letting people sell and buy cannabis legally affects public health27. A study in Canada from 2001 to 2019 found that legalizing cannabis affects how much people use it and the problems that might come up because of its use27.


Studies from 1975 to 2022 show that high school students have changed how they use drugs over time27. There's a difference in how much young people use cannabis before and after it became legal27. In 2020, there was a survey that looks at how much people are using drugs and what kinds they're using27.


Around 68% of people in a 2020 poll said they support legal marijuana28. Letting people use marijuana legally has also changed how much young people use alcohol and cigarettes28. Legalizing marijuana has also changed how college students think about and use it28.


People in Ontario, Canada, want to change how they control marijuana use and who can sell it28. After medical marijuana became legal in some states, young people started seeing it as less risky28. Young people's thoughts on marijuana have changed since it became legal in Washington, DC28.


The world's cannabis market is huge, worth between USD 214 to 344 billion29. In North America, almost all legal cannabis is used, making it the main spot for cannabis business29. In Germany, more people supported legal cannabis in 2020 than they did in 201429.


Halfway through 2020, the legal cannabis business got a record USD 7.9 billion in investment29. Spain's Cannabis Social Clubs serve about four million users a year and draw in six million visitors29. There are roughly 500 of these clubs in Spain, with many in Barcelona29.


The Netherlands has almost 570 coffee shops that sell cannabis, with a lot in Amsterdam29. Things like culture and people's groups affect what they think about legal cannabis use29. Different countries make their own rules about cannabis based on what their people like and need29.


Culture and society's rules shape how people see and use cannabis29. Starting October 2020, Canada and 12 U.S. states let people use cannabis for fun29.


Limitations and Future Research Directions

The study found some issues looking at what happened when cannabis became legal. They had trouble because of how they collected data. They looked at state taxes to guess what people were using, but that's not the best way. This is because it can't show what each person does. Also, when weed became legal for fun in some places, it was still new. So, we can't know for sure what the lasting effects will be on using drugs and drinking in the future.


To really understand how legalizing weed affects public health, we need to keep studying. This means finding better ways to gather information. Researchers could ask people directly or track their habits over time. This could help find out why people use weed, drink, and smoke together. And seeing how things like trying to quit smoking and helping people with drug problems work could teach us a lot about using these substances together.


Methodological Challenges and Data Gaps

  • Tax data from states might not show what people actually do6

  • Weed becoming legal for fun is a pretty new thing, making it hard to predict the future6

  • We need better sources of information to understand why people use different substances at the same time30

  • Looking at how the mind works, programs to help people stop smoking, and ways to fight drug addiction can also help us learn more31

By solving these issues, we can learn more about how making weed legal affects using drugs and drinking. This could help make rules and plans that keep people safer when using these things. And this would help as more places think about letting people use weed for fun.

complexity of exploring the relationship between cannabis legalization and decreased alcohol and cigarette use. Use abstract shapes and colors to convey the intricacy of analyzing methodological challenges in this area of research.complexity of exploring the relationship between cannabis legalization and decreased alcohol and cigarette use. Use abstract shapes and colors to convey the intricacy of analyzing methodological challenges in this area of research.
"Interpretation and communication of legalization effects are critical for policymaking."31

Metric

Findings

Reference

Decline in simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use among individuals aged 12-20

From 2008 to 2019

Increase in simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use in adults aged 21+

After the implementation of recreational cannabis laws (RCLs)

Model-based increase in simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use after RCL implementation

+1.2% among respondents aged 21-30 years, +1.0% among 31-40 years, +1.75% among 41-50 years

No significant increase in simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use

Among individuals aged

We see a need to help people who use weed and drink at the same time. This is especially true for adults in places where weed is legal. We need to find out why people do this and what they think about it. This info can help make plans that keep people healthier and safer when using drugs and drinking.


Policy Evaluation and Evidence-Based Decision-Making

As states change their cannabis laws, leaders need strong facts to make good choices. They look at how these changes affect health and the use of things like drinking and smoking32. It's important to keep studying this. This helps find what is good and what might be harmful about these changes32.


Research tells us important things about how cannabis laws and how it affects drinking and smoking. For example, having medical cannabis laws can lower how much people drink by about 15%. And places with stricter rules have fewer people using medical cannabis, usually less than 1%33. On the other hand, in states like Colorado and Washington, the money they make from alcohol taxes stayed about the same since they started selling cannabis in 201433.


When it comes to recreational cannabis, the story is a bit different. Some rules to lessen drinking might make more people use cannabis. And in states with recreational cannabis laws, people are more likely to use both cannabis and alcohol instead of just alcohol9. So, these changes can have many effects on what people choose to use32.


Leaders have to think hard about this information. They need to come up with good rules that think about everyone's health. By using facts to make decisions and keep checking if they are working, leaders can make sure these rules do okay by everyone32.

"Policymakers must rely on rigorous, evidence-based approaches to evaluate the impacts of cannabis legalization policies on public health outcomes, including alcohol and cigarette consumption."

With how fast the cannabis field is changing, leaders have to keep up with new studies. This helps them make rules that bring the most good out of cannabis while keeping the bad stuff away32933. Choosing based on what the data says helps leaders make good laws for everyone's safety and health32933.


Conclusion

The impact of making cannabis legal is not clear cut. Some studies say it might make people use less alcohol and tobacco. But others think it might make people use more drugs. This study showed that making cannabis legal doesn't really change how much alcohol or cigarettes people buy.

States are changing their laws on cannabis use. This means we need to watch closely. It's important to understand how this affects drug and alcohol use. Further study is necessary to know more about the use of cannabis instead of other dangerous substances.


It's key to keep an eye on how changing laws on cannabis affect us. This helps make sure our policies are based on what really works. Careful study and looking at the facts can help us use cannabis laws for the best. We can improve public health and safety while avoiding problems with other substances34331.


FAQ

What is the key question as cannabis policy evolves?

One main question is if making medical or recreational cannabis legal changes how much people drink alcohol or smoke. This matters because both alcohol and cigarettes can hurt a person's health.


What did the researchers examine in this study?

The researchers looked at whether legalizing medical or recreational cannabis made people in states drink less alcohol or smoke fewer cigarettes.


What were the key findings from the study?

The study's main results didn't show any big links between legalizing cannabis and how much people drank or smoked. But, it did find that having medical or recreational cannabis laws led to fewer people buying cigarettes in those states.


What were the potential public health benefits of decreased alcohol and cigarette consumption due to cannabis legalization?

Less alcohol and cigarette use could really help public health. These are big reasons for health problems, deaths, and costs for health care. Making cannabis legal might lower the harm from using these other substances.


What are some key issues policymakers must consider regarding cannabis legalization?

Policymakers need to think hard about how to make cannabis legal. They need to look at ways to keep the good effects but lower any bad risks. They should worry about how much it costs, how easy it is to get, how it's shown, and helping those who might have a problem with it.


What were the limitations of this study?

The study had some limits. It only looked at what happened in states, not in smaller places or with different groups of people. Also, it might be too soon to really know all the effects of making cannabis legal for fun in some places.


What is the importance of ongoing research and monitoring on the impacts of cannabis legalization?

It is key for making smart choices to keep checking how legalizing cannabis affects people's health, like how much they drink or smoke. More studies and keeping an eye on things will help decide on good policies for cannabis.


Source Links

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6957726/ - Changes in Alcohol and Cigarette Consumption in Response to Medical and Recreational Cannabis Legalization: Evidence from U.S. State Tax Receipt Data

  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10176789/ - The Impact of Recreational Cannabis Legalization on Cannabis Use and Associated Outcomes: A Systematic Review

  3. https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-021-00085-x - Recreational cannabis legalization and alcohol purchasing: a difference-in-differences analysis - Journal of Cannabis Research

  4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871622003003 - Impact of cannabis legalization in the United States on trends in cannabis use and daily cannabis use among individuals who smoke cigarettes

  5. https://arcr.niaaa.nih.gov/volume/42/1/patterns-cannabis-and-alcohol-co-use-substitution-versus-complementary-effects - Patterns of Cannabis and Alcohol Co-Use: Substitution Versus Complementary Effects

  6. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11606-022-07948-w - Cannabis Recreational Legalization and Prevalence of Simultaneous Cannabis and Alcohol Use in the United States - Journal of General Internal Medicine

  7. https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-legalization-linked-to-decreased-use-of-alcohol-nicotine-and-opioids-new-study-finds/ - Marijuana Legalization Linked To Decreased Use Of Alcohol, Nicotine And Opioids, New Study Finds

  8. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287807904_Impacts_of_Changing_Marijuana_Policies_on_Alcohol_Use_in_the_United_States - Impacts of Changing Marijuana Policies on Alcohol Use in the United States | Request PDF

  9. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168851022003049 - Relationships between sales of legal medical cannabis and alcohol in Canada,

  10. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/weed-legalisation-alcohol-tobacco-use-b2082458.html - Weed legalisation linked to drop in alcohol, tobacco use, and opioid misuse

  11. https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/substance-use/link-between-cannabis-and-tobacco - The link between cannabis and tobacco

  12. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871620305299 - Impact of state-level cannabis legalization on poly use of alcohol and cannabis in the United States, 2004–2017

  13. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/7/e025880 - Does liberalisation of cannabis policy influence levels of use in adolescents and young adults? A systematic review and meta-analysis

  14. https://www.bag.admin.ch/dam/bag/de/dokumente/npp/forschungsberichte/forschungsberichte-cannabis/lessons-for-cannabis-regulation.pdf.download.pdf/Schlussbericht_Lessons_Cannabis_Regulation.pdf - PDF

  15. https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilyearlenbaugh/2023/11/29/young-adults-used-less-tobacco-and-alcohol-after-cannabis-legalization/ - Young Adults Used Less Tobacco And Alcohol After Cannabis Legalization

  16. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ajherrington/2024/05/03/legal-weed-linked-to-declines-in-teen-alcohol-and-e-cigarette-use/ - Legal Weed Linked To Declines In Teen Alcohol And E-Cigarette Use

  17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4308295/ - Implications of Marijuana Legalization for Adolescent Substance Use

  18. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749379720301884 - Marijuana Legalization and Youth Marijuana, Alcohol, and Cigarette Use and Norms

  19. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8950733/ - Public Health Implications of Cannabis Legalization: An Exploration of Adolescent Use and Evidence-Based Interventions

  20. https://opha.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/The-Public-Health-Implications-of-the-Legalization-of-Recreational-Cannabis.pdfext.pdf - PDF

  21. https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/alcohol-drugs-and-addictive-behaviours/drugs-psychoactive/cannabis - Cannabis

  22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6745015/ - Six policy lessons relevant to cannabis legalization

  23. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/laws-regulations/task-force-cannabis-legalization-regulation/framework-legalization-regulation-cannabis-in-canada.html - A Framework for the Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis in Canada

  24. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/insights/110916/economic-benefits-legalizing-weed.asp - The Economic Benefits of Legalizing Marijuana

  25. https://www.bu.edu/bulawreview/files/2021/07/KILMER.pdf - KILMER

  26. https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=121347 - Possible Effects of Legalization of Marijuana on the Economy and the Individual

  27. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10036775/ - Impacts of recreational cannabis legalization on use and harms: A narrative review of sex/gender differences

  28. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-030-67928-6_72-1 - Attitudes and Cannabis Legalization

  29. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/17/10993 - Cultural, Social and Psychological Factors of the Conservative Consumer towards Legal Cannabis Use—A Review since 2013

  30. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.613243/full - Frontiers | Investigating Relationships Between Alcohol and Cannabis Use in an Online Survey of Cannabis Users: A Focus on Cannabinoid Content and Cannabis for Medical Purposes

  31. https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w28647/w28647.pdf - PDF

  32. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4700545/ - Impacts of Changing Marijuana Policies on Alcohol Use in the United States

  33. https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2018/02/how-will-cannabis-legalization-affect-alcohol-consumption.html - How Will Cannabis Legalization Affect Alcohol Consumption?

  34. https://economics.nd.edu/assets/165128/alex_good_research_paper1.pdf - PDF

  35. Cannabis Legalization: Decreasing Alcohol and Cigarette Use

2 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page