26 Jan Univ Michigan Study Finds People Who Use Cannabis Drinks Reduce Alcohol Consumption, Even More that Those Who Use Other Cannabis Products
Editors’ note: Cannabis and THCA/HEMP CBD products should have an active ingredient list on the container and have a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Discuss your use of THC, Cannabis or CBD products with your health care provider. Dosing of CBD is variable, especially since it is not FDA regulated. Cannabis/CBD may interfere with other medications and should not be used in individuals with certain health conditions, including liver issues. Do not use Cannabis products including edibles, drinks or CBD if you are pregnant, nursing or may become pregnant. Do not use cannabis products if driving or operating difficult or dangerous machinery. Children should not be exposed to cannabis or CBD products. It is unknown whether the effects of alcohol plus cannabis are cumulative and users ingesting both products should be especially cautious to avoid driving or other activities requiring alertness and judgement.
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Kruger .
Daniel J. Kruger, PhD
Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research
University of Michigan
Dr. Kruger
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Dr. Felicione
Response: Alcohol consumption, especially heavy alcohol consumption, is associated with many health risks and nearly 200 different health conditions and diseases. Reducing alcohol consumption reduces the risks and harms from alcohol. Previous research has demonstrated that people have reduced their alcohol consumption when they have access to cannabis. Cannabis beverages have emerged in States where cannabis is legal for adult or medical use.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: We found that people who drink cannabis beverages reduced their alcohol consumption even more so than those who only use other types of cannabis products.
MedicalResearch.com: Are there risks associated with mixing cannabis infused drinks with alcohol? For example, how might inebriation levels be measured?
Response: There are still no good measures of cannabis intoxication, though people should avoid driving or using machinery when intoxicated with any substance. It is also recommended that minors and those who are pregnant not use intoxicating substances. It is possible that a combination of alcohol and cannabis intoxication increases the risks from driving more than that of using one substance alone, though we need research to verify this.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Experts in substance use, abuse, and addictions consider alcohol more harmful overall to individuals and society than cannabis. As cannabis products become legally available, people are switching from alcohol to cannabis or at least reducing their alcohol intake. It is remarkable that people who use cannabis beverages report an even greater reduction in alcohol use than those who use other types of cannabis products. Cannabis drinks are often packaged in cans like common alcoholic beverages such as beer and hard seltzers. The similarity in administration method and context of use, people at parties or bars will likely have a drink in their hand, may be responsible for the additional effect.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a results of this study?
Response: We need long-term research on the health impact of substituting cannabis for alcohol. We believe this will be health promoting overall, but we need longitudinal studies to provide good evidence. It would also be helpful to study the properties of cannabis beverages and how they relate to consumer behaviors and outcomes.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add? Any disclosures?
Response: We thank our community partners Premier Earth and Star Buds, both of which are New York State-licensed cannabis dispensaries in the Buffalo area, who helped them distribute the survey, as well as survey participants. This project did not receive any funding, our work is designed to benefit the general public.
Citation: Kruger, J. S., Felicione, N., & Kruger, D. J. (2026). The Exploration of Cannabis Beverage Substitution for Alcohol: A Novel Harm Reduction Strategy. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2026.2614506
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Last Updated on January 26, 2026 by Marie Benz MD FAAD