Study Finds Millennials Would Rather Smoke Cannabis Than Drink Beer
College Students Prefer Blunts Over Booze Says Study
If anyone loves to get high, it’s probably college students. From blowing off steam after tough exams, to non-stop partying, to simply relaxing, many young adults find themselves turning to cannabis for its relaxation and stress relieving properties.
READ MORE: Scientific Study – A Naturalistic Examination Of The Perceived Effects Of Cannabis
So, it should come as no surprise that millennials on campus are smoking more weed than ever before, according to a study. But there’s a catch: the more they smoke, the less they drink.
The data comes from a yearly study called Monitoring the Future. It collects information from thousands of American high school and college-aged students, specifically on their drug and alcohol consumption patterns.
A recent version of the survey showed that the average college student today is way less likely to drink daily than their parents would’ve in college: 6.5% said they drank daily in 1980, while only 2.2% did in 2017. But pot has a different story: In 2019, there was a significant increase in the amount of marijuana smoked daily.
So, What Does This Mean?
Some researchers believe has to do with the legalization of recreational cannabis in many states over the last few years. Illinois was the most recent state to legalize recreational cannabis, which brings the number of states where you can smoke weed to 11, or 22%. Meanwhile, 33 states – roughly two thirds – allow marijuana for medical purposes.
READ MORE: Michigan Accused of Spreading Reefer Madness After Legalizing Cannabis
In other words, college students are most comfortable smoking weed, and are spending less time drinking as a result.
Does this mean millennials are killing the alcohol sales industry? Not at all – in fact, investors are interested in a market that brings both alcohol and cannabis together. According to Forbes, many investment companies are interested in the infused-beverage market. Move over, edibles, because drinkables have arrived: Herbal teas, enriched waters, and even craft beers are making waves and hitting shelves across North America.
Don’t be surprised if you start to see more of these drinks pop up. Finance company Cowen estimates that the cannabis industry will make $50 billion in 2026, and beverage companies are expected to join the industry.
Next time you’re hanging out with your favourite people on campus, you won’t have to choose between your two favourite hobbies (drinking and smoking). You may just be able to try the best of both worlds (if you’re of legal age, of course).
