Legalizing Medical Cannabis Reduces Tobacco and Amphetamine Use

OG Article By Kyle Jaeger

September 19 2025

A new international study shows a strong link between legal medical cannabis and lower tobacco use.

Key Findings on Substitution

The study analyzed data from 20 countries.

It found a "strong negative association" between tobacco use and medical cannabis sales.

This points to a substitution effect. People opt for cannabis over cigarettes where it's legal.

Amphetamine use also drops with higher medical cannabis sales. This suggests similar substitution.

Economic and Market Impacts

Legalization boosts medical cannabis sales steadily.

Countries see an average annual increase of 26 tons in sales post-legalization.

Excluding the U.S. as an outlier, the rise is 20 tons yearly.

This supports ongoing market growth.

Researchers stress well-regulated markets. They bring economic benefits.

Key needs: Strong legal frameworks for licensing, production, and access.

Remove barriers. Boost consumer education. This builds a sustainable market.

Study Limitations

Authors from Germany and Lebanon note the design is ecological.

Results show population-level links, not individual causes.

Still, they highlight cannabis legalization's role.

It expands regulated markets. It shifts consumer habits.

The work aids debates on policy, health, and economics.

Broader Research on Alcohol

Recent studies link cannabis to less alcohol use.

Heavy drinkers report lower intake and fewer cravings.

A University of Sydney study tested cannabidiol (CBD).

Published in British Journal of Pharmacology, it was funded by Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council.

CBD cuts voluntary alcohol consumption. It's a promising option.

Another federally funded paper in Nature agrees.

CBD eases withdrawal, cuts relapse risk, and protects the brain.

It offers therapeutic value for alcohol use disorder.

Youth Trends

Young Americans swap alcohol for cannabis drinks.

One in three millennials and Gen Z workers pick THC beverages.

They use them for happy hours and after-work events.

This comes from a poll of 1,000 young professionals.