Let’s be honest. Somewhere between 2020 and now, alcohol walked into the party, saw cannabis doing yoga on the roof in a kimono, and realized… it might be time to call an Uber and rethink some life choices.
Welcome to 2025, where your grandma grows hybrids, your Uber driver microdoses, and your coworker Steve won’t shut up about his mango-flavored THC spritzer.
The Awkward Love Triangle: You, Alcohol, and Cannabis
There was a time when alcohol was your ride-or-die. Your Saturday night hype man. The bad decision you never blamed yourself for. Then “cue slow-motion entrance” cannabis showed up, smelling like inner peace and fruit snacks, and whispered: “Hey. Wanna chill… and maybe make a vision board?”
Suddenly, vodka cranberry started feeling like that ex who peaked in high school.
So... What’s Actually Happening to Alcohol?
Turns out, when people light up a little green, they sip a lot less brown (or clear, or pink, or whatever your adult apple juice is . . .was). And statistically, that adult apple juice is crying in the club right now.
A May 2025 study (yes, by real scientists, not just a guy named Chad in a tie-dye lab coat) gave cannabis to heavy drinkers and watched their alcohol cravings drop by 25%. Translation: “I was gonna order another round… but then I remembered I have Hot Cheetos and a Netflix docuseries about goat-worshipping pyramid schemes waiting at home.”
Scientists Call It "Substitution." We call it: Making Way Better Decisions While Still Snacking.
And the data backs it up.
According to Brightfield Group, 2024:
44% of cannabis consumers say they’ve replaced alcohol with weed.
50% of regular users report drinking less alcohol.
For the first time ever, daily cannabis uses surpassed daily alcohol use.
Which makes sense. You can’t spell “functional stoner” without “functional.”
Try spelling that after six tequila shots. Go ahead. We’ll wait.
Why the Switch? Let’s Break It Down
Here’s the high-level (pun intended) breakdown even your hungover ex could understand:
1. No Hangovers
Translation: Wake and bake > Shake and ache
Cannabis tucks you in. Alcohol leaves you on your bathroom floor, dry-mouthed and questioning your karaoke choice of “It’s the end of the world as we know it.” (That’s by REM for those looking to google it)
2. Fewer Regrets
Translation: Weed has never texted an ex at 2AM
THC might make you watch Planet Earth with awe. It won’t make you cry in a Taco Bell drive thru.
3. Better Sleep
Translation: Cannabis = cozy bedtime story. Alcohol = unscheduled wrestling match with your comforter. One soothes. One suplexes your REM cycle. (Different REM than the band. Refer to #1 for full joke cycle)
4. Healthier Image
Translation: “Sativa Smoothie” sounds like Gwyneth made it. “Whiskey Diet” sounds like a crime scene. Weed has a wellness vibe now. Booze still smells like bad decisions and regret.
5. THC Drinks Exist Now
Translation: Yes. Weed. In a LaCroix. It’s called progress, Brenda.
You can now sip THC-infused sparkling water with adaptogens while journaling about your personal growth. Try doing that with Fireball.
Bonus Round: More Control
Translation: “Half a gummy” = cozy night in. “Half a tequila bottle” = a legally binding apology. Weed lets you set your vibe like a Spotify playlist. Booze just hits shuffle and prays.
Gen Z Leads the Way
They’re not chasing hangovers, they’re chasing vibes. They want experience, not amnesia. And most importantly, they want to remember the night. Which is... new. But welcome.
Booze Isn’t Dead. Just... on a Break.
Let’s not get dramatic. Alcohol’s still here and it’s just NOT the main character anymore. Meanwhile, cannabis is out here in a faux-fur robe, dropping mixtapes, and offering emotional support in gummy form.
Final Thought: Choose Your Fighter
Whether your team Chardonnay or team Cherry Gelato, the world is shifting. Weed’s gone mainstream. Alcohol’s rewriting its LinkedIn bio. And somewhere, your weed-curious uncle just discovered edibles and is now watching nature docs with his mouth open.
Snack boldly. Vape wisely. And for the love of THC, never drunk text your budtender. They hate that. But always tip them. Cause they are the gateway to your experience.
And when you’re ready to explore your options?
Take a detour.
YOURDETOUR.com has something for every walk of life. Different products. Different vibes. No-judgment zone.
