Evaluating the Short-Term Impacts of Cannabis Legalization on Alcohol Consumption, Co-occurring Cannabis and Alcohol Consumption, and Alcohol Consequences Among Adolescents and Adults in Ontario
Imtiaz, S., Agic, B., Elton-Marshall, T., Hamilton, H. A. 0, Jiang, H., Mann, R. E, Sanches, M., Shield, K .D. Somé, N., Sornpaisarn, B., Nigatu, Y. T., Wickens, C. M, & Wettlaufer, A.
This study aimed to identify any impacts that cannabis legalization may have on alcohol consumption habits, sales, and treatment services. Researchers analyzed data from four sources: Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS), the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Monitor Survey (CAMH Monitor), the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Information System (DATIS), and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario’s Sale of Data Database (LCBO-SoD).
The researchers found that cannabis legalization was not associated with most alcohol-related outcomes. Among students and adults, there was no evidence linking cannabis legalization with alcohol use, binge drinking, concurrent cannabis and alcohol use, simultaneous cannabis and alcohol use, hazardous or harmful drinking, and drinking and driving after consuming two or more drinks. Among students, there was no evidence associating cannabis legalization with alcohol initiation. Among adults, there was also no evidence linking cannabis legalization with daily drinking. Similarly, there was no evidence that cannabis legalization was associated with treatment admissions for alcohol-related problems and comorbid cannabis- and alcohol-related problems, or that it was associated with alcohol litres sold per week through the LCBO.
These early results suggest that cannabis is not being used as a substitute for or a complement to alcohol. The researchers recommend that future research consider priority population subgroups (e.g., people experiencing mental health problems, substance use problems, or homelessness) and the impact of proximity of cannabis retail stores to alcohol retail stores on alcohol-related outcomes.