A wide-ranging international study confirms what many public health players have been predicting: the legalization of medical cannabis is not only disrupting markets, it is also profoundly changing consumer behavior. Tobacco, amphetamines and alcohol are seeing their use decline, while cannabidiol (CBD) and THC-infused beverages are increasingly appealing to younger generations. At a time when France continues to ignore this debate, these data provide food for thought worldwide on the place of cannabis in health policies and the economy.
When medical cannabis replaces tobacco and amphetamines
The study, carried out by German and Lebanese researchers, is based on figures from twenty countries. It establishes a strong correlation between the opening of a legal medical cannabis market and a decline in certain risky forms of consumption. Tobacco first and foremost: the data show that cigarette use is down where medical cannabis is freely available. The same applies to amphetamines, stimulants whose use is considered particularly worrying. In other words, medical cannabis doesn’t just add to the arsenal of psychoactive products, it replaces some of them. The authors speak of a significant “substitution effect”. This conclusion, though measured – the study insists that these are population correlations, not individual evidence of causality – nevertheless suggests that legalization can be a remarkable lever for risk reduction.
A booming market
These beneficial effects are not limited to protecting the mental health of hyper-anxious patients. They also have significant economic side-effects. Following legalization, sales of medical cannabis rose by an average of 26% in the countries concerned. Of course, the United States, considered a “special case” due to the size of its market, is pulling the figures up. But even excluding them, the trend remains solid: over 20 tonnes more every year. For the researchers, this demonstrates that a well-regulated market can generate sustainable economic benefits. The key, they insist, lies in clear legal frameworks, demanding production standards and simplified access for patients. Removing administrative barriers and investing in consumer education/information appear to be essential conditions for the sustainability of the industry. In a context where many governments are seeking to diversify and increase their tax revenues, this argument carries considerable weight.
CBD to treat alcoholism
The study is part of a growing body of scientific research. In the United States, a study this year showed that cannabidiol, a non-psychotropic molecule derived from cannabis, could reduce voluntary alcohol consumption. The researchers observed a significant reduction in the desire to drink and in withdrawal symptoms in the subjects studied. Another publication, in the journal Nature, highlights the potential of CBD to treat alcohol addiction, reducing the risk of relapse and protecting the brain from the neurotoxic effects of alcohol abuse. This work holds out the promise of a therapeutic revolution in the field of addictology.
At the same time, social habits are changing rapidly in the United States. A survey of young professionals shows that a third of workers from generations Y and Z now prefer THC drinks to traditional alcoholic beverages at afterwork parties. The phenomenon illustrates a cultural mutation in which conviviality no longer necessarily involves alcohol, but rather alternatives perceived as more modern and, for some, less harmful.
When will we open up to the old continent?
Taken together, these signals converge on one idea: medical cannabis and CBD are not just a new market, but also a tool for transforming behavior. By reducing the place of tobacco, amphetamines and alcohol, these substances could profoundly reshape consumption habits. This is yet another argument in support of the idea that the legalization of cannabis, whether for therapeutic or recreational use, represents a major health and social opportunity. Some countries, like France, with its record deficit and worrying alcoholism problem, should embrace this opportunity rather than wage a costly war against it, both for the state and its citizens.
