Study: Cannabis-Infused Beverages Linked to Reduced Alcohol Use and Fewer Binge Drinking Episodes

OG article by Anthony Martinelli

January 15, 2026

A study in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs by researchers from the University at Buffalo links cannabis-infused beverage consumption to reduced alcohol use and fewer binge drinking episodes. Survey data from 438 adults who used marijuana in the past year compared patterns between those who consumed cannabis beverages (33.6%, typically one per session) and non-users. Beverage users were more likely to substitute cannabis for alcohol (58.6% vs. 47.2%). After adopting cannabis beverages, weekly alcoholic drinks dropped from 7.02 to 3.35 on average, while binge drinking frequency declined significantly—80.7% reported less than monthly or no binge episodes, up from 47.2%. Nearly half cited reducing other substance use as a motivation. These findings indicate cannabis beverages may facilitate alcohol substitution and mitigate alcohol-related harms, presenting a viable option for individuals seeking to decrease consumption. The results support further exploration of cannabis products as harm-reduction tools.