Weed is quickly becoming a regular part of mainstream society. Most people live in legal states, and the majority of Americans support federal reform. Another big shift is the number of adults choosing cannabis over alcohol—and a new poll suggests that demographic is growing.
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Bloomberg Intelligence polled 1,000 Americans, asking them how often they substitute cannabis for alcohol. Nearly half chose pot over drinking at least once weekly. Around 22 percent reported consuming weed in lieu of alcohol multiple times per week.
BBG Intelligence on 🇺🇸 #Cannabis 🌿 pic.twitter.com/xL6Lmhu89h
— Todd Harrison (@todd_harrison) September 6, 2024
The growing trend of people choosing cannabis over alcohol is only expected to continue. Bloomberg analysts wrote on social media, “We also anticipate that increasing US consumer access to recreational marijuana will be a significant threat to all alcoholic drinks.”
The report’s authors are likely correct in their prediction. According to a recent Carnegie Mellon study, daily cannabis consumption has surpassed daily drinking for the first time since 2022. While the survey revealed that drinking is still more common overall, pot use is outpacing the frequency of having a cocktail or beer.
With these findings, alcohol companies may be anxious about competition from cannabis. A report from TD Cowen suggests that cannabis is now a “formidable competitor to alcohol.”
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The survey found that “two-thirds of consumers who use cannabis report cutting back on drinking,” predicting legal weed will continue to gain consumers based on current market trends. At the same time, alcohol only stands to lose its audience. The forecast is in line with a Canadian study showing beer sales have declined since the country legalized pot.
Some alcohol companies are taking the “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” approach, opting to create zero-proof bevs infused with cannabis compounds. THC-infused drinks are especially popular in markets like Texas and Minnesota, where regulations allow craft beer makers to produce cannabis beverages in-house.
The growing number of people making the switch from alcohol to cannabis will likely only increase as the “Cali sober” trend becomes more widespread. The fact that more Americans believe cannabis is safer than alcohol supports this notion, especially as health-conscious adults seek a less harmful way to cut loose.
