Eine größere Nähe zu Cannabis-Einzelhandelsgeschäften führt zu mehr Cannabiskonsum, aber weniger Alkoholkonsum: Eine US-Studie mit mehr als 60.000 Erwachsenen zeigt, dass das Leben in der Nähe von Cannabis-Einzelhandelsgeschäften mit einer größeren Tendenz zu häufigem Cannabiskonsum, aber einer geringeren Wahrscheinlichkeit von starkem Alkoholkonsum verbunden ist.

I’ve linked to the press release in the post above. In this comment, for those interested, here’s the link to the peer reviewed journal article:

https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(25)00632-4/abstract

From the linked article:

**Closer proximity to cannabis retail stores linked with more cannabis use but less drinking**

A statewide **study of more than 60,000 adult Oregonians shows that living near cannabis retail stores is associated with a greater tendency toward frequent cannabis use but a lower likelihood of heavy alcohol consumption**.

The research led by Oregon State University scientist David Kerr looked at nine years of data from an ongoing telephone survey, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System directed by the Oregon Health Authority.

“The bottom line is that Oregonians who lived near more licensed cannabis retailers, and in closer proximity to them, were more likely to use cannabis 10 or more days per month than people living in areas with fewer retailers,” said Kerr, a professor of psychological science in OSU’s College of Liberal Arts. “Another key finding was that adults living closer to cannabis retailers were less likely to report heavy drinking.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define heavy drinking as eight or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more for men.

Kerr, who collaborated with OSU graduate student Haley Hummel and Multnomah County’s Julia Dilley and Erik Everson, noted that both effects – more cannabis and less alcohol – were most pronounced in two age groups: people ages 21-24 and those 65 and over.

In the younger age group, Kerr said, the brain is still developing, including parts of the brain sensitive to the toxic effects of cannabis. He notes ages 21-24 is the peak onset period for cannabis use disorder, which involves the continued use of cannabis despite negative consequences such as social or interpersonal problems, failure to fulfill obligations at home, school or work, and using cannabis under physically dangerous circumstances such as while operating a motor vehicle.

Getting a buzz without a hangover is popular, whodathunkit?

That old adage of better a pothead than an alcoholic seems like it’s come true.

Who or what is all this evidence for?

That sounds like a win for harm minimisation and health.

Pick your poison i guess.

I started taking THC gummies regularly about a year ago and I barely drink anymore. If I didnt play darts or pool I may not drink at all. Before I would probably drink a fifth of whiskey a week and I haven’t had a bottle of liquor or beer in my place in a long time. I discussed this with a friend of mine after he got his medical card and he said the same thing.

„I was gonna drink a lotta booze, but then I got high“