Weed is taking the spotlight from alcohol; is it a healthier alternative?

Make way for cannabis; is marijuana a more suitable choice for health?

"I adore the bubbly sensation of Champagne and relish those moments on a patio with my friends during a Sunday gathering. But it seems my friends are socializing all the time, transforming even a weeknight into a bottle-fueled celebration. I considered investing in box wine, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic taking over our lives," B remarked.

Now, B has given up alcohol and resorted to cannabis gummies for her buzz.

The replacement of alcohol with cannabis is a trend that's gaining popularity in the United States. In a unique finding, a recent study found that for the first time ever, daily cannabis use, irrespective of form, has surpassed daily alcohol use in the country.

While more people still drink alcohol from time to time, cannabis is now legally accessible for recreational use in 24 states and the District of Columbia, as well as for medical purposes in 38 states and the District of Columbia.

The study, based on data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a yearly government-sponsored survey, reveals that nearly 18 million individuals aged 12 and above used marijuana daily or frequently, whereas around 15 million individuals reported the same frequency of alcohol consumption.

"I was racing against time"

For B, quitting alcohol was a mandatory decision. Her habit of drinking excessively with her friends was proving detrimental. She struggled with hangovers, and her work performance and physical well-being were suffering.

"I'm incredibly healthy; I maintain an unprocessed diet and rigorously work out. Yet, I felt far from that perfect state. One day, I was lounging on my couch when my heart started racing incredibly fast, as if it was trying to escape my chest," B recounted.

Cardiovascular complications ran in her family: "I've had relatives who have died suddenly due to heart attacks in their driveways."

Attempting to reduce her consumption failed for B.

"I've tried moderating before, but it's notoriously difficult when surrounded by those who are drinking. So, I decided to give up alcohol completely. My friends were incredibly supportive, and I realized it wasn't as challenging as I'd imagined," B shared.

After several months of sobriety, B began to experiment with cannabis gummies and discovered that they pair well with non-alcoholic beverages.

"I prefer not to get too high," B stated. "I'll simply cut a fourth of a gummy to unwind after a stressful workday. If I'm at a party with my friends that could last for hours, I might opt for half or even a full one."

Weed or Alcohol: Which is Healthier?

Swapping alcohol for weed: Is that a healthier option? Experts provide a nuanced answer.

"Examining one's relationship with alcohol is a commendable trend," expressed Carol Boyd, the founding director of the Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking, and Health at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She had no part in the analysis.

"We understand that even moderate alcohol consumption can come with health risks, and those risks worsen as you drink more. Just one drink a day can result in increased blood pressure, a hazardous heart rhythm, or even a smaller brain," Boyd explained via email.

"Binge drinking, or consuming four or more drinks within two hours for women (five or more for men), was growing in frequency during the pandemic. Binge drinking led to more women visiting emergency rooms than before. Worryingly, the alcohol-related death rate for both sexes surged by 26% between 2019 and 2020, the initial year of pandemic."

However, cannabis has its drawbacks, as well. Using marijuana before the age of 25 can cause irreversible damage to the brain, impacting your ability to learn, memorize, solve problems, and concentrate, the CDC warns.

Regardless of one's history of heart disease or tobacco usage, using marijuana raises the risk of stroke by 42% and heart attack by 25%, researchers say. Moreover, cannabis has been linked to cardiac arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, myocarditis (an inflammation of the heart muscle), spasms of the heart's arteries, and a higher likelihood of heart failure.

However, it's crucial to note that the majority of marijuana users in these cardiovascular studies smoked or vaped cannabis, noted Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a primary care physician and cannabis specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, author of "Seeing Through the Smoke: A Cannabis Specialist Untangles the Truth About Marijuana."

"We don't advise smoking marijuana, except in extreme situations like being in acute pain or having cancer and using it for faster pain relief from chemotherapy," Grinspoon stated.

Burning anything - be it tobacco or cannabis - leads to the production of harmful toxins that are hazardous to your health when inhaled, said cannabis researcher Dr. Beth Cohen, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

"We recommend against smoking marijuana, unless it's a short-term necessity," Cohen advised.

"Marijuana smoke contains hazardous substances, carcinogens, and particulates that have been linked to cancer, lung damage, and cardiovascular disease, as stated by Cohen in an email. Since potent risks are associated with any substance, a rise in daily or frequent cannabis use is a cause for concern.

A March 2021 study by Boyd revealed that teens were twice as likely to report chest congestion after vaping weed than after smoking cigarettes or using e-cigarettes. Additionally, secondhand marijuana smoke can have adverse effects similar to those of the primary smoke, according to Robert Page II, a professor at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Aurora.

Despite these risks, there are various ways to consume cannabis without inhaling smoke. Grinspoon suggested using topical products, such as oils, lotions, or patches; suppositories; tinctures; or edibles. However, research on the long-term effects of ingesting these methods is limited.

"We're still unsure about the health risks of using edibles daily," said Boyd in an email. "Regulation is inconsistent, products vary greatly, and legalization is ongoing. More data is required!"

The Unregulated Market of Edibles

B, a resident of Georgia where only medical marijuana is permitted, started consuming hemp-based gummies infused with delta-9, the predominant form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis, and delta-9 THC-O acetate, a synthetic form found in some edibles. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp, making it possible for B to purchase various brands of hemp gummies at many places, such as gas stations.

Grinspoon, a member of Doctors for Drug Policy Reform, commended B for abandoning alcohol but expressed concern over the unregulated nature of her new hemp products. "These hemp-based products sold at gas stations, liquor stores, and other places are uncontrolled and may contain synthetic cannabinoids like delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10. The safety of these substances is questionable due to their potential contamination with various chemicals," he said.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mentioned that potent chemicals are necessary for converting cannabinoids in hemp into synthetic products like delta-8. Furthermore, manufacturing may occur in unregulated, unclean environments.

Among the 2,400 calls regarding delta-8 to the National Poison Center from 2021 to 2022, 70% required a doctor's guidance, and 8% were hospitalized. One death has been reported.

A review in June 2018 on existing research on synthetic variants of marijuana suggested they may cause more severe side effects, such as breathing issues, increased blood pressure, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, cognitive impairment, anxiety, agitation, suicidal thoughts, and even death.

"Regardless of the increased cannabis usage, I would advise choosing products with labels indicating they have been independently tested by a third party to ensure purity," said Grinspoon. "For those who desire to use marijuana, I strongly recommend getting educated and using it responsibly. Be cautious, start with a low dose, don't drive after use, and obtain your supplies from regulated medical marijuana dispensaries or well-controlled retailers."

Cannabis gummies, candies and other edibles have not been well studied so long-term side effects are unknown.

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"B's health improvement was noticeable after switching to cannabis gummies. Her heart races less, and she feels more relaxed after a stressful day."

"The shift towards cannabis use for wellness purposes is a growing trend, with many individuals seeking alternative methods to manage stress and improve their overall health."

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