As Alcohol Sales Plummet. Cannabis Sales are Growing
A fresh wave of data shows alcohol use is falling at historic levels in the U.S., while cannabis keeps gaining ground. We’ve said for decades that once another vice went mainstream, Big Alcohol would lose share. The newest surveys and market reports point to exactly that reality… and it’s happening faster than many expected.
Quick Summary
- Alcohol consumption is at modern lows in national polling and sales data.
- Cannabis use keeps rising, especially among adults 21–40.
- Substitution shows up in early clinical and real-world behavior.
- Travel is changing: more THC drinks, fewer cocktail-centric plans.
What the new data says
Alcohol at multi-decade lows. Recent national polling shows the share of U.S. adults who drink has dropped to a modern record low. Health concerns and lifestyle shifts lead the reasons. Source
Sales trends confirm the squeeze. Year-in-review beverage scans show pressure across beer, wine, and spirits, with volumes softening and only select RTDs holding ground. Source
Cannabis use is rising. Federal survey tables show growth in past-month and past-year use among adults, and recent analyses highlight daily or near-daily cannabis edging past daily drinking. NSDUH • Analysis
Substitution has early evidence. Controlled lab research finds participants who chose cannabis drank less alcohol in the same session. It’s a lab setting, but it tracks with what many travelers report. Study
“Every society needs a vice”… what happens when the vice changes?
Call them vices, call them entertainment. Societies pick social lubricants that fit culture and convenience. For decades, alcohol was default. Legal access to measured 2–5 mg THC beverages, approachable edibles, and adult-use stores gives people another option for Friday nights. Venues and bars are piloting THC drinks, and guest behavior is shifting toward lower-alcohol evenings.
Why this shift is accelerating
- Health perception: more people say even moderate drinking isn’t great for them.
- Product design: precise dosing and fast-onset sips make cannabis simple to try.
- Access: more legal markets, clearer rules, and better education.
- Evidence: surveys and early trials point to real substitution for some adults.
Did old lobbies try to suppress cannabis?
We can’t read every boardroom memo, but incentives were obvious. If consumers can pick another vice, incumbents risk share and shelf space. As legalization spread, alcohol use declined while cannabis rose. The market reaction says the quiet part: beverage giants now test THC plays, and some stakeholders push tighter hemp rules. For a deeper dive, see our takes on policy and power:
- Big Pharma Hates Weed… and Here’s Why
- Are We There Yet on Federal Cannabis Reform
- 420 Tourism Going Into 2025
- Cannabis Laws & THCA Controversy
What this means for cannabis tourists
- Design your night around experiences, not rounds. Think concerts, galleries, and THC lounges where legal.
- Start low and give it time between servings.
- Skip heavy mixing if you want a clearer read on effects.
- Plan logistics: book 420-friendly lodging, use transit or rideshare, follow local rules.
Bottom line
Alcohol dominated for generations. The 2025–2026 data shows a real pivot toward cannabis, with record-low drinking and steady growth in adult use. If you’ve long believe the old guard worked to keep weed in the shadows, today’s numbers sure look like proof of why.
Find great, safe, and tested products plus verified places to stay on USAWeed.org before your next trip.
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