Jan 27, 2026 02:53 AM
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1114050
INTRO: Cannabis-infused beverages may provide a unique opportunity for helping people drink less alcohol, according to the findings of a small study led by public health researchers from the University at Buffalo.
The risks associated with drinking alcohol are many, both from a health as well as a societal standpoint. Alcohol consumption has been linked to at least seven different types of cancer and nearly 200 health conditions and diseases. Cannabis, on the other hand, poses lower risks and harms, especially compared to heavy alcohol use.
The study published this month in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs is the first of its kind to focus on cannabis beverages and the potential for alcohol harm reduction, the authors say. It also happens to be particularly relevant given it was published in “dry January,” a month in which many people try to start the new off by reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption.
Harm reduction is a public health strategy used to reduce the risks associated with substance use. It acknowledges that while abstinence is often best, many people choose to use legally available products containing alcohol, tobacco or cannabis.
“In the first study of its kind, we introduce the concept of having cannabis as harm reduction for alcohol. Cannabis has been proposed as harm reduction for other drugs such as opioids but not talked about as often for legal substances such as alcohol,” says study first author Jessica Kruger, PhD, a clinical associate professor of community health and health behavior in UB’s School of Public Health and Health Professions.
But, she cautions, “I think we have a long way to go before this is seen as mainstream as cannabis beverages are a new modality of use.” The market for cannabis beverages is exploding... (MORE - details, no ads)
INTRO: Cannabis-infused beverages may provide a unique opportunity for helping people drink less alcohol, according to the findings of a small study led by public health researchers from the University at Buffalo.
The risks associated with drinking alcohol are many, both from a health as well as a societal standpoint. Alcohol consumption has been linked to at least seven different types of cancer and nearly 200 health conditions and diseases. Cannabis, on the other hand, poses lower risks and harms, especially compared to heavy alcohol use.
The study published this month in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs is the first of its kind to focus on cannabis beverages and the potential for alcohol harm reduction, the authors say. It also happens to be particularly relevant given it was published in “dry January,” a month in which many people try to start the new off by reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption.
Harm reduction is a public health strategy used to reduce the risks associated with substance use. It acknowledges that while abstinence is often best, many people choose to use legally available products containing alcohol, tobacco or cannabis.
“In the first study of its kind, we introduce the concept of having cannabis as harm reduction for alcohol. Cannabis has been proposed as harm reduction for other drugs such as opioids but not talked about as often for legal substances such as alcohol,” says study first author Jessica Kruger, PhD, a clinical associate professor of community health and health behavior in UB’s School of Public Health and Health Professions.
But, she cautions, “I think we have a long way to go before this is seen as mainstream as cannabis beverages are a new modality of use.” The market for cannabis beverages is exploding... (MORE - details, no ads)
