Alcohol vs Cannabis: A Comprehensive Comparison of Effects, Risks, an
“I’ve seen families torn apart by alcohol — not cannabis.” — Doktor High It’s not just about the substance — it’s about the chaos it unleashes in relationships. Dry January participation hit an all-time high this year, and nearly a quarter of those participants substituted alcohol with cannabis.
What Happens When You Mix Alcohol & Weed?
Investigators enrolled 157 participants who used alcohol and cannabis heavily (at least twice weekly). In contrast, cannabis is perceived as safer, without causing liver damage, cancers, or the cognitive decline linked to alcohol. Major cannabis companies launched THC drink lines, promoting them as modern alternatives to alcohol and targeting consumers cutting back on drinking or who no longer drink at all. In states where hemp-derived THC is loosely regulated, consumption of THC beverages, including seltzers and “hemp elixirs,” has rapidly increased. Some commentators describe this cultural shift as the adoption of the “California sober” mindset—consuming cannabis or THC-infused beverages rather than alcohol. As I have noted earlier, Gen Z and millennials are using less alcohol and more cannabis, often edibles.
Addiction Risk: How Do They Compare?
Weed and alcohol are both metabolized primarily by our liver, but current research shows that alcohol causes more harm to our liver. Shifts in legality and public perception continue to occur, but presently, marijuana is still highly controlled through regulation and taxation. Although more research is needed, current findings suggest marijuana use has negative impacts on public safety. In addition to the toll on our economy, alcohol production also causes negative environmental impacts. Alcohol and marijuana are both drugs that can cause dependence and lead to misuse.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 13,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths in 2023. Before I give the statistics on THC vs. alcohol, let me emphasize that no one should drive impaired, whether it is THC, alcohol, sleepiness, or any other factor including texting. When blood alcohol concentration reaches high levels, alcohol suppresses the brain regions controlling breathing and heart rate, which can be fatal. Acute alcohol poisoning kills thousands of people annually in the United States, largely because alcohol has a narrow margin between an intoxicating dose and a lethal one. By Fran KritzKritz is a healthcare reporter with a focus on health policy. “The gummies, for example, can take as long as an hour and a half to have an effect, but people expecting a quick hit may take more, impacting the effects and even landing in the emergency room,” Cooper said.
More Cannabis, Less Alcohol—In Studies and in Real Life
- Alcohol impairs judgment, short-term memory, motor skills, and decision-making.
- And from personal experience?
- There are countless cannabis products on the market and a number of consumption options, from vaping to edibles.
- The researchers also acknowledged that the findings do not prove that cannabis use causes heart problems.
- Chronic bronchitis is common among cannabis users.
- And yes — I’ve watched more and more people say, “I feel better with cannabis in my life than I ever did with alcohol.”
Despite all the different factors that can influence whether alcohol or marijuana is considered more harmful, the bottom line is that they’re both harmful. Different facets of weed and alcohol make it difficult to compare the two. While alcohol and marijuana are similar in many ways, we can also see their different impacts on our society as a whole.
Which costs more: regular cannabis or alcohol use?
What works for one person may not work for another, and the best decisions come from an honest look at your own body, mind, and life. But in the real world, no substance choice exists in a vacuum. Want to start exploring cannabis as a wellness tool?
Long-Term Health Outcomes: The 20-Year View
Cannabis does not cause liver damage and some studies suggest it may Marijuana vs alcohol have protective effects on liver health. Most people wake up feeling normal after cannabis use. While you can consume too much and feel uncomfortable (anxiety, paranoia, nausea), there are zero recorded deaths from cannabis overdose. This isn’t about demonizing alcohol or glorifying weed — it’s about facts, lived experience, and real-world results.
- Robert is our health care professional reviewer of this website.
- Also, note that most cannabis users don’t smoke nearly as much plant material as tobacco users but many cannabis users do add tobacco to their cannabis.
- Weighing the evidence across these seven categories, cannabis demonstrates a significantly safer profile than alcohol in six of seven areas, with driving impairment representing the one area of comparable concern.
- Approximately 10-15% of alcohol users develop alcohol use disorder.
- These effects are especially dangerous when driving or operating machinery.
V. Long-Term Health Outcomes: The 20-Year View
Bump that up for social drinkers or anyone leaning on alcohol to cope, and you’re easily looking at $2,000+ annually — not counting the cost of poor decisions. \”I’ve seen both sides of this story. Alcohol tore people down. Cannabis helped build them back up.\” I’ve had customers in their 20s tell me weed helps them socialize without the shame spiral. This shift isn’t just showing up in survey data — it’s echoed in conversations across dispensaries, social feeds, and living rooms. It’s people reclaiming control over their bodies, minds, and social rituals with a plant that’s long been stigmatized but never silenced. The shift isn’t subtle anymore — it’s seismic.
It’s not a simple upper or downer — it depends on the strain, the dose, and your own brain chemistry. This is especially true for anyone with underlying depression or anxiety disorders. Most people wake up more anxious the next day, mentally foggy, and emotionally off-center. It might feel like it \”relaxes\” you after a drink or two, but it rebounds hard. This is the stuff people care about today.
You can even downplay anxiety or justify casual use. Cannabis users sleep better, recover faster, and don’t come in reeking of regret. Meanwhile, alcohol tax revenue doesn’t even come close to covering the damage it causes.
Currently, alcohol is tied to greater health issues, but it’s too soon to come to the conclusion that alcohol is worse, as more information is needed. Although our individual experiences may vary, both substances can have dangerous effects. At a quick glance, the extensive list of alcohol’s effects may have us wondering, “Is alcohol worse than weed even though weed is illegal in many places? Like the effects of alcohol, marijuana’s acute effects can linger in the days following its use. Short-term effects of alcohol can also be felt the day after — even a few days after — in what we know of as a hangover.
Which is more likely to cause violence: cannabis or alcohol?
Researchers know much more about alcohol than they do about cannabis. We may be paid a fee for marketing or advertising by organizations that can assist with treating addictions. Anyone with a serious addiction problem should get medical or therapeutic help. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider. It should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or illness.
💸 Personal Financial Impact
The information provided is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. We aim to raise awareness, offer guidance, and connect people with recovery programs to help them regain control and improve their lives. Robert is our health care professional reviewer of this website. Alcohol Awareness can help you understand your options and take the next step towards a healthier lifestyle. If you’re concerned about your use of either substance—or both—support is available. Marijuana contains a psychoactive compound called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which interacts with the brain’s endocannabinoid system.
Both cannabis and alcohol can carry a potential for misuse and addiction, but this appears to be more common with alcohol. The immediate effects of cannabis can vary quite a bit from person to person. Another person might not have any issues with misusing alcohol but still find it hard to function without cannabis. For example, one person may have a very low tolerance for cannabis but be able to tolerate alcohol well. Reactions to cannabis and alcohol differ from person to person.
Reaction time, judgment, coordination — it’s all severely impaired, even at modest blood alcohol levels. We need to be honest here — both substances impair driving. Even long-term users show no consistent pattern of violent behavior. After four decades in cannabis culture — and 15 years completely alcohol-free — I’ve seen both sides of the coin. I’m not saying weed is magic — but used mindfully, it has helped me stay clear-headed, emotionally balanced, and creatively on fire in ways alcohol never could. I’ve seen thousands of patients use cannabis to break dependence on alcohol, sleep aids, or even benzos.
This approach also comes with all the same risks of mixing alcohol with marijuana (see chart above). If you are attempting to reduce your consumption of either substance, keeping weed and alcohol separate (or skipping them altogether) makes that journey easier and safer. Using cannabis before drinking alcohol may slow the absorption of alcohol, while drinking alcohol before using marijuana increases THC absorption—making you feel higher than intended.
With cannabis, tolerance breaks can effectively reset THC sensitivity, making it easier to moderate use over time. Long-term use often leads to dependence, and withdrawal can be life-threatening without medical supervision. As legalization spreads, it’s crucial to develop standardized testing and legal thresholds to discourage impaired driving. While rare complications have been reported, such as cannabis-induced coronary spasm, these cases are anomalies—not the norm. These include deaths from liver disease, cancer, heart complications, and alcohol-related violence or accidents. Alcohol causes over 36,000 deaths annually in the U.S. due to chronic use alone, with the CDC reporting an average of 488 alcohol-related deaths each day between 2020 and 2021.