Cannabis vs. Alcohol: A Cultural Shift in America’s Vice of Choice

The winds of change are blowing through America’s cultural landscape, and at the forefront of this transformation is cannabis. Once one of the most regulated goods, recreational cannabis is now emerging as the “vice of choice” for many Americans, even eclipsing alcohol in certain areas. This shift, driven by evolving policies, shifting habits, and changing attitudes toward health, marks a fascinating chapter in the nation’s relationship with intoxicants.

The Rise of Cannabis as a Daily Habit

Recent research provides a striking snapshot of how cannabis use in the U.S. has surged over the last few decades. Since 2008, daily or near-daily (DND) cannabis use has skyrocketed, and in 2022, for the first time, the number of DND cannabis users (17.7 million) surpassed those of alcohol (14.7 million). This seismic shift highlights the growing integration of cannabis into daily life for millions of Americans.

Figure 2. Millions of survey respondents self-reporting 21+ days of use in the past month for both alcohol and marijuana (dashed lines indicate two major survey redesigns). Source: Caulkins, J. P. (2024). Changes in Self-Reported Cannabis Use in the United States from 1979 to 2022. Addiction. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16519. Licensed under CC BY-NC.

The findings are eye-opening. Between 2008 and 2022, there was a 218% increase in reported days of cannabis use per capita, translating to the annual equivalent of 8.1 billion use-days. Meanwhile, the frequency of cannabis consumption far outpaces alcohol. The median cannabis user reported using 15–16 days per month in 2022, compared to a mere 4–5 days for the average drinker.

This evolution in behavior illustrates that cannabis is no longer just for weekends or parties. Its frequent use among adults mirrors patterns once primarily associated with other daily vices, such as coffee or even cigarettes.

Young Adults Are Drinking Less

This rise in cannabis use coincides with another cultural shift revealed by a recent Gallup poll. Young adults aged 18–34 are drinking less alcohol than they did two decades ago. Only 62% of young people now report consuming alcohol, down from 72% in the early 2000s. Even more strikingly, fewer young adults are drinking regularly or to excess.

Why the decline? Health concerns play a significant role. Young adults are increasingly wary of alcohol’s impact on their well-being, with 52% now perceiving even moderate drinking as unhealthy, a sharp rise from 34% just five years ago.

But there’s another factor at play here: cannabis use. Marijuana consumption has become a viable alternative to alcohol for many in this demographic. Gallup data shows marijuana use among young adults has nearly doubled since 2013, reflecting a broader normalization of the substance. With the rise of various cannabis products like edibles, vapes, and tinctures, cannabis offers a versatile, approachable, and often perceived safer substitute for alcohol.

A Shift in American Culture

While alcohol once dominated social gatherings, young people today seem to be redefining leisure and relaxation. The era of bottomless mimosas and Thirsty Thursday beers is giving way to infused beverages, discreet vape pens, and cannabis lounges.

This cultural shift is about more than just personal habits; it’s also a reflection of policy and perception. Federal non-interference with state legalization efforts since 2008 paved the way for cannabis to embed itself into the mainstream. Cannabis consumption has grown to such proportions that it is now consumed almost as frequently as alcohol in terms of total use-days per month (678 million for cannabis compared to 1.1 billion for alcohol).

Notably, today's cannabis users span all age groups. Adults 35 and older now contribute equally, if not slightly more, to the total days of cannabis use than their younger counterparts. The stereotypical image of the “young stoner” has been replaced with a more diverse, multi-generational representation of cannabis consumers.

Health, Habits, and the Future

The shift in preferences from alcohol to cannabis underscores a larger societal reckoning with health and wellness. Americans, particularly younger generations, are increasingly conscious of the long-term implications of their choices. Unlike alcohol, which has long been associated with liver damage and other health concerns, cannabis is often perceived as a “healthier” option, or at the very least, a less damaging one.

This changing dynamic raises important questions for the future. Will cannabis continue to rise as the preferred vice, relegating alcohol to the sidelines of indulgence? How will public health initiatives adapt to address the growing number of daily cannabis users? And most importantly, how will this shift reshape social norms and cultural rituals?

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