Simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use is increasing in U.S. states with legal weed
The greater availability and opportunity to access cannabis through legal supply chains ‘may explain why we observed increases in simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use in those aged 21 to 50’
Cannabis legalization is increasing the simultaneous use of alcohol and marijuana, a combination that has some negative side effects associated with it.
Researchers from Columbia University conducted a study, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, and suggested the phenomenon is more common in young people, which makes it more likely for them to experience negative side effects.
“Our findings are concerning considering that simultaneous cannabis and alcohol use is associated with more negative consequences (e.g., risk behaviours [driving under the influence], heavy patterns of substance use, increased risk for alcohol use disorders) to the individual and society,” noted lead researcher Priscilla Goncalves.
“Until this study, little had been known about the [recreational cannabis laws] and simultaneous use in adults in the U.S., where adult cannabis use and alcohol use are increasing in a changing cannabis policy environment,” Goncalves continues.
The simultaneous use of cannabis and alcohol has increased over the years, especially in the age ranges of 21 to 30 (10.4 per cent), 31 to 40 (six per cent) and 41 to 50 (4.7 per cent). Findings indicate there’s sufficient evidence to believe that marijuana legalization increases this practice.
“The greater availability and opportunity to access cannabis through legal supply chains available for adults ages 21 and over such as dispensaries, present in most RCL (recreational cannabis legalization) states, may explain why we observed increases in simultaneous cannabis/alcohol use in those aged 21 to 50. but not 12 to 20 years after RCLs in this sample,” says Silvia Martins, senior author of the study.
Both researchers suggest legal states may need to develop strategies to address this in the future, especially for adults between the ages of 21 and 50.
Both cannabis and alcohol are depressants, slowing the body’s reactions to multiple stimuli and building on each other’s effects. Cannabis can make a user feel less drunk and suppress the gag reflex, perhaps resulting in people drinking more and not being able to vomit as a way of detoxing.
Source: Thegrowthop
Image: Pexels
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