Most people who consume cannabis beverages end up drinking less alcohol— and see improved sleep, less stress and reduced pain, according to the results of a new study.
Congress is currently deciding whether or not to extend the current deadline for a planned ban on hemp THC product sales in order to allow lawmakers to develop regulations as an alternative prohibition.
MoreBetter conducted a study in which 36 cannabis-infused beverages were tested. For the study, 4,516 individuals filled out self report surveys every day over a period three weeks.
Two thirds of participants (65%) said that they consumed less alcohol over the course of the study while they consumed THC beverages.
A total of 56 percent stated that they would be willing to use cannabis drinks “as regular replacements for alcohol”, 53 percent reported less desire for alcohol, and 47 percent now prefer their THC beverage over the usual alcoholic drink.
Participants also rated cannabis drinks as safer than alcohol—both with respect to health (87 percent) and socially (75 percent).
MoreBetter sent out an email blast to inform people of the results.
The report stated that “we surveyed some participants about 50 days after study completion, long after the product had been consumed,” “63% of participants said that they still drank less than before. “2.4% said they drank more.”
THC beverages are more than just an alcohol substitute. Participants in the study reported that they also had a range of other benefits.
For example, more than half of users (54%) reported less pain, 62 % said they felt less anxiety, and 60 % said that their days were improved when they used cannabis beverages.
Sixty three percent of respondents said that THC drinks improved their mood and 62 per cent said they felt “more joyful and happy” after consuming them.
All 36 products involved in the study—which had between 1 and 10 milligrams of THC, with some also containing other cannabinoids such as CBN, CBG and CBD—showed a significant increase in sleep quality and ease of falling asleep.
The new results are a continuation of earlier data MoreBetter published last year. They also show that people who drink cannabis THC beverages report reduced alcohol consumption, improved sleep, and better mood.
High Times first reported on the latest results. These showed that sleep duration was significantly boosted by 33 of these products. 31 of the drinks also reduced stress levels and 26 were linked to significant pain reduction.
The study, which was partially funded through the cannabis drink brands that were tested in the study, says MoreBetter. They had no involvement with the study design and data analysis.
Under the 2018 Farm Bill signed by President Donald Trump during his first year in office, hemp derivatives with less that 0.3 percent delta-9-THC on a weight-based basis were legalized federally. The president signed new legislation late last year that contains provisions that redefine hemp, so that only products containing 0.4 milligrams total THC in each container will be legal after November 12th.
The Senate recently, however, approved a funding bill that includes a provision to delay the effective date of the hemp product ban until December 11—a move that was supported by the White House. The House of Representatives has not yet confirmed if they will allow the extension.
Several members of Congress of both parties have submitted or are currently circulating legislation which would regulate hemp products as opposed to a broad prohibition.
A new bipartisan House measure introduced in this month would make hemp THC drinks federally regulated and legal, just like alcohol.
The latest MoreBetter results come after a series recent analyses and surveys that indicate the cannabis sector as well as the growing legalization of marijuana has proven to be a disruptive factor for the alcohol industry.
A survey released last year, for example, showed that four in five adults who drink cannabis-infused beverages say they’ve reduced their alcohol intake—and more than a fifth have quit drinking alcohol altogether.
That survey was released shortly after a leading alcohol industry group added a company that makes THC-infused drinks to its membership roster for the first time, furthering signaling the cultural shift.
This also comes at a time when younger Americans are increasingly using cannabis-infused beverages as a substitute for alcohol—with one in three millennials and Gen Z workers choosing THC drinks over booze for after-work activities like happy hours, according to a new poll of 1,000 young professionals.
A poll released last year found that a majority of Americans believe marijuana represents a “healthier option” than alcohol—and most also expect cannabis to be legal in all 50 states within the next five years.
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