Adults Living Near Cannabis Stores Use More Cannabis But Drink Less Alcohol, New Study Finds
A Major Behavioral Shift Linked to Cannabis Retail Access
Adults who live close to licensed cannabis retailers are more likely to use marijuana regularly and less likely to engage in heavy alcohol consumption according to a new study shedding light on shifting substance-use patterns in the United States.
The findings were especially notable among Gen Z adults and baby boomers, two demographics the $32 billion legal cannabis industry increasingly views as strategic growth segments.
Large-Scale Oregon Study Reveals Clear Relationship Between Retail Access and Cannabis Use
The research, led by Oregon State University professor David Kerr, was published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine.
It analyzed data from 60,000 Oregon adults, gathered through a statewide telephone survey.
Researchers cross-referenced respondents’ ZIP codes with the locations of licensed cannabis retailers. The goal: determine whether living near a dispensary influences marijuana or alcohol consumption.
The results were striking:
- Cannabis use increased among people living near retailers.
“Frequent use” was defined as consuming cannabis 10 or more days per month.
- Heavy drinking decreased in the same group.
The CDC defines heavy drinking as 8+ drinks per week for women and 15+ drinks for men.
The study suggests the presence of legal cannabis may create a substitution effect, where adults replace alcohol with marijuana.
Generational Trends: Gen Z and Boomers Drive the Shift
The impact was strongest among:
- Gen Z (ages 18–25) — a generation already drinking less than millennials or Gen X.
- Baby boomers — an age group increasingly turning to cannabis for pain, sleep, and wellness.
These findings align with broader trends:
- Alcohol use among young adults is falling nationwide.
- Millennials continue to make up a large portion of cannabis retail revenue.
- Major alcohol brands are now aggressively entering the THC beverage market, seeking to stay relevant as consumption behaviors shift.
But the study also raises concerns.
Gen Z adults remain particularly susceptible to risks associated with frequent cannabis use, including potential cannabis use disorder and the effects of THC on the developing brain.
Older Adults Show Changing Perceptions of Cannabis
For older Americans—especially baby boomers—cannabis is increasingly viewed as a lower-risk alternative to alcohol or as a supplement to traditional medical treatments.
Researchers noted that this demographic shift reflects broader acceptance of cannabis as a tool for:
- Pain management
- Sleep improvement
- Anxiety relief
- Reduction in prescription medication use
But with increased use comes a renewed call for targeted education and safety messaging.
Policy Implications: Balancing Access and Public Health
Professor Kerr emphasized the need for age-informed prevention policies, especially as cannabis retailers expand into suburban and rural communities.
He warned that while cannabis legalization offers benefits—tax revenue, regulated products, reduced criminalization—it also requires vigilant public health oversight.
“States must craft policies that balance accessibility with responsible regulation,” Kerr said, noting the industry’s marketing strategies and product potency trends.
As cannabis access continues to grow nationwide, the study highlights a critical dynamic: legalization doesn’t just change markets, it changes behavior.
And understanding those changes will shape the next decade of cannabis policy, public health strategy, and industry growth.
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