Sick of hangovers? Alcohol is out, cannabis is in. Here’s why
With support from celebrities like Post Malone and Willie Nelson, the “California sober” lifestyle—or the practice of ditching hard drugs and alcohol in favor of cannabis—may be a popular trend here to stay.
The numbers certainly suggest a shift in use. A 2024 study published by the Society for the Study of Addiction recorded that, for the first time ever, the number of daily cannabis users exceeded the number of daily alcohol drinkers. And while many more people certainly still drink alcohol than use cannabis, high-frequency drinking is less common–according to the study, in 2022, in comparing cannabis to alcohol use, “past-month cannabis consumers were almost four times as likely to report daily or near daily use (42.3% vs. 10.9%) and 7.4 times more likely to report daily use (28.2% vs. 3.8%).”
So, why the change?
Well, for one thing, the health risks associated with cannabis use are generally believed to be less severe than those with alcohol use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says fatal overdose caused solely by cannabis is unlikely, and there are no reported deaths from fatal overdose using marijuana. Excessive alcohol use, considered a leading preventable cause of death in the US, causes around 178,000 deaths each year.
Additionally, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, long-term and excessive alcohol use is linked to significant negative health impacts like heart and liver disease, stroke, gastrointestinal issues, high blood pressure, addiction, psychiatric disorders, and more. Studies have shown that long-term impacts of cannabis include impacts to cognitive function, memory loss, psychosis, adverse cardiovascular effects, and addiction. However, research about the long-term risks of cannabis is still very much in its infancy, compared to that of alcohol, and the evidence for a more conclusive understanding of cannabis use risks is limited.
Then there’s the widespread legalization of adult-use cannabis. As of March 2026, 40 states allow for the medicinal use of marijuana, while 24 allow for its recreational use (including Ohio), according to the Library of Congress. This policy shift, along with cultural destigmatization, has grown the accessibility, normalization, and acceptance of cannabis use.
Considering post-use effects on the body, many of the immediate effects of alcohol use are reflected with cannabis use—including coordination and reflex issues; impaired judgement; relaxation; giddiness; and drowsiness, according to a Healthline article. However, hangover symptoms for alcohol are fairly extensive: dehydration, stomach irritation, nausea, headaches, impacts to the immune system, and drowsiness, to name a few. Meanwhile, effects with cannabis use include headaches, drowsiness, and brain fog, and consumption is believed to, generally, leave you feeling less rough the next day than alcohol.
If you’re interested in making the switch to cannabis, you can check out a huge variety of Ohio-grown products at The Landing, which is located at 724 W. Gay St.
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