Is Cannabis the Key to Curbing Alcohol Cravings? New Study Says Yes for Some

Could lighting up a joint help you put down that next drink? A groundbreaking new study says yes—at least for some people. As cannabis legalization spreads across the country, researchers are discovering that marijuana might do more than just help people relax—it could actually reduce alcohol cravings and consumption. In fact, this latest research found that participants who used cannabis before drinking consumed 25% fewer alcoholic beverages and experienced significantly lower cravings to drink. This suggests that, for some, cannabis isn’t just recreation—it’s a harm reduction tool.

The study, conducted by researchers at Colorado State University and the University of Colorado, used a real-world approach that makes the results even more compelling. Participants chose their own cannabis products and consumed them at their usual doses before being offered alcohol. When cannabis came first, people drank less—plain and simple. Those who drank less also reported feeling fewer urges to keep drinking, pointing to a possible mechanism behind cannabis’s ability to help people moderate alcohol intake.

Interestingly, this wasn’t about THC levels or how strong the cannabis was. Blood tests showed no significant differences in THC levels between those who cut back on drinking and those who didn’t. This suggests the effect isn’t just chemical—it may be tied to how cannabis makes people feel. Whether it’s the calming effects, reduced social pressure to drink, or just a change in focus, cannabis seems to help some people say “no thanks” to that extra drink.

Of course, cannabis isn’t a silver bullet. Not everyone in the study reduced their drinking after using cannabis, highlighting that this tool won’t work for everyone. But with more people looking for alternatives to alcohol, and public opinion increasingly favoring cannabis as the safer choice, the idea of using marijuana to reduce harmful drinking habits is catching on fast.

This study isn’t alone. Other research has found similar results, with studies by Karoly and colleagues showing reduced drinking on cannabis use days and Canadian data linking cannabis legalization to declining beer sales. As more people turn to cannabis as a healthier alternative, we may be witnessing a major shift in how America manages alcohol-related health risks.