Nearly Two-Thirds of Cannabis Consumers Report Reducing or Replacing Alcohol, Survey Finds

Can cannabis change people’s drinking habits? A recent NuggMD survey found that 65.8 percent of respondents reported reducing their alcohol consumption or replacing it entirely with cannabis.

National NORML highlighted the findings in its October 15, 2026 report, crediting Marijuana Moment with first reporting the survey. National NORML’s article carries the organizational byline NORML. We acknowledge its reporting and its work making cannabis research accessible to the public.

What Did the Cannabis and Alcohol Survey Find?

NuggMD surveyed 1,005 cannabis consumers in state-legal markets between September 24 and 26, 2026. The reported margin of error was ±3.09 percentage points.

Respondents described several different experiences:

Reported effect on alcohol consumption	Respondents
Completely replaced alcohol with cannabis	31.5%
Greatly decreased alcohol consumption	25.8%
Somewhat decreased alcohol consumption	8.5%

Together, those responses account for nearly two-thirds of participants. However, experiences were not universal: some respondents reported no change, while others reported drinking more.

These details were first reported by Tom Angell at Marijuana Moment, whose original coverage provides additional survey information.

What Does “Replacing Alcohol With Cannabis” Mean?

The survey describes self-reported substitution: participants said cannabis had taken the place of some or all of their alcohol use.

That distinction matters. Reporting fewer drinks is different from demonstrating that cannabis is an effective treatment for alcohol use disorder. This consumer poll does not establish a treatment effect or show what would happen if someone who does not currently use cannabis started using it.

The population also matters. These findings concern surveyed cannabis consumers in legal markets. They should not be presented as the experiences of all Americans, all drinkers, or all Florida residents.

Why This Matters for Florida’s Cannabis Conversation

For Suncoast NORML, the findings raise an important policy question: Are lawmakers giving enough attention to how adults actually make decisions about cannabis and alcohol?

An honest debate should leave room for substitution. It should also leave room for people whose experiences differ.

Supporting cannabis reform does not require claiming that every consumer benefits or that every survey settles a public health question. It requires taking evidence seriously, describing its limits, and asking whether existing policies serve the public.

Florida’s cannabis conversation deserves that level of care. Consumer experiences should help inform the discussion, alongside stronger research and responsible public education.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does cannabis make everyone drink less?

No. The survey found that many respondents reported drinking less or replacing alcohol, but others reported different experiences.

Does this prove cannabis treats alcohol use disorder?

No. A self-reported consumer survey cannot establish whether cannabis is an effective treatment.

Who deserves credit for this report?

National NORML, under its organizational byline NORML, published the October 15 report that inspired this article. Tom Angell at Marijuana Moment first reported the NuggMD poll.

Read and Support National NORML’s Reporting

Suncoast NORML encourages readers to read National NORML’s complete original article and explore its linked research.

Source acknowledgment: This article is an independently written summary with Suncoast NORML commentary. Credit for the underlying reporting belongs to National NORML and Marijuana Moment; NuggMD conducted the survey. Visit National NORML for cannabis news, research, and reform resources.