Consumption of cannabis for medicinal and recreational purposes is trending upward. Americans of all ages are getting in on the act, consuming different types of marijuana and embracing legalization. Rather than drink alcohol, which has many side effects including hangovers, headaches, and more, Americans are turning to cannabis. Find out why this preference change is sweeping America and why it is significant for consumers of alcohol.
Alcohol Consumption and Marijuana
The effects of alcohol has something to do with why people are choosing marijuana over drinking. Spending on alcohol is trending downward as Americans are looking for alternatives. Marijuana has had a type of stigma that did not necessarily follow alcohol consumption around. Social outings with a beverage or two, work drinks after hours, and other means of connecting over alcohol have been around for a long time. On the flip side, there has been a long-standing stigma against marijuana use. Logically, it might make sense to think of something with less stigma as being more healthy, but that is not always the case. People are choosing marijuana and cannabis because they want to enjoy the benefits of how it makes them feel without the side effects of alcohol.
Healthy Alternatives
For some people, they love the way cannabis help them relax. Others may enjoy the benefit of pain relief and less symptoms of a condition they are working hard to overcome. Use of cannabis is increasing every year, with every state that legalizes its use. Where people may have turned to alcohol to numb feelings, pain, or just relax, they are finding a healthier alternative in cannabis. For one, people do not like the hangovers and prefer feeling the buzz of using cannabis. Others self-medicate with alcohol to dull aches, pains, anxiety, or cope with symptoms of PTSD. With cannabis more accessible, people are giving it a try and finding relief without the hangovers or ill effects. Most people who use recreationally will not develop tolerance, while consistent consumption of alcohol can lead to tolerance and issues with alcoholism. Cannabis can be healthier because it may also:
- Relieve pain
- Support cancer treatment
- Relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Help people relax which eases their minds to be able to sleep and feel better, leading to overall increase in health
Making Cannabis Okay
Activists and enthusiasts have worked hard, along with medical professionals, to tout the benefits of cannabis use. The drive away from alcohol use towards use of cannabis is focused on legalization. Public demand is at an all-time high and advocacy efforts are pushing for more legalization to help people find new ways of dealing with chronic pain aside from opioid use and other drugs that are unhealthy long-term. This movement to normalize use is helping push the growth of dispensaries across America, leading the way in helping people find support for chronic health conditions and provide healthier alternatives to other substances out there.
Mary and Main is here to help you select the best products for your condition. We are here to support your health and enjoyment of cannabis. Call us to find out how we can help.
