Key takeaways:
Changing perceptions of alcohol and cannabis (marijuana) are leading to changing levels of use among teens and adults.
Especially with college-aged adults, cannabis use is at historic highs, while rates of alcohol use are falling.
Although one drug may seem safer than the other, using either one could result in unwanted impacts to your mental and physical health.
Historically, alcohol has been used by more people than cannabis, or marijuana, due in part to its wider availability and legal status. A shift is happening, though, as cannabis use is surging, especially among young adults. Even with the perception of safety that follows the drug, increased cannabis use may be problematic for some and could result in unwanted outcomes.
Keep reading to understand the latest trends in alcohol versus cannabis use, as well as the possible risks of using either substance.
Is marijuana becoming more favorable than alcohol with younger people?
Based on recent surveys, cannabis is becoming more favorable over recent years based on levels of use and public perception. No longer is cannabis a drug with a reputation of danger that is used by a small percentage of people. The drug is becoming more acceptable and more widely used, but it is still used at much lower levels than alcohol.
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Alcohol is trending in the opposite direction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports alcohol use is falling, especially for teens and young adults. SAMHSA reports:
The number of kids aged 12 to 17 who have used alcohol in the last month is declining. In 2002, around 18% had drunk alcohol in the last month, but only 9.4% had in 2019.
The number of young adults aged 18 to 25 followed a similar direction. In 2003, about 61% of young adults had used alcohol in the past month, but only about 54% had in 2019.
On the other hand, the same survey found that cannabis use is increasing overall. According to SAMHSA:
Of people 12 and older, 11% reported having used cannabis within the last year during 2002. In 2019, 17.5% of people admitted past year use.
Of adults aged 26 and older, the rate of cannabis use in the previous year increased from 7% in 2002 to 15.2% in 2019.
These numbers show that nearly 50 million people reported cannabis use in 2019. As a comparison, nearly 140 million people reported alcohol use in the same period.
For nearly 20 years, alcohol use has gone down among some groups while cannabis use has gone up considerably. It is tough, however, to imagine cannabis overtaking alcohol to become more popular in the general population.
How common is weed and alcohol use among teenagers/college students?
Although the gap between cannabis and alcohol is still wide among all people, it is shrinking overall, especially with college-aged people. In 2020, the rates of cannabis use in young adults were at historic high levels, while alcohol use is declining in that group.
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In 2020, 44% of college students and 43% of young adults not in college reported using cannabis in the last year. In 2015, only 38% of college students used cannabis.
Fewer college students drank alcohol in 2020 than in 2019. In 2020, 56% of college students used alcohol in the last month, compared to 62% in the previous year.
If these trends continue, cannabis use could surpass alcohol use on college campuses within a few years.
What factors contribute to higher marijuana and lower alcohol use?
Perceived risks of cannabis are falling. The drug was previously illegal in nearly all settings and situations. Now, though, it is more available, which can make you believe it is safe.
You may have heard of perceived benefits of cannabis like:
Ability to treat physical conditions like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis (MS)
Reduction of stress, anxiety, and depression
Changing laws and low cost can contribute to higher use of cannabis as well. Cannabis, depending on location, can be cheap and available as well.
On the flip side, the perceived risks of alcohol use are much higher. Consequences like accidents, violent crimes, and death from drinking or being drunk are real concerns.
What are the effects of alcohol use among college students?
The perceived risks of alcohol use are likely linked to the immediate problems you may experience when drinking too much. Alcohol use can be deadly for college students who binge drink and experience alcohol poisoning.
Other unwanted effects of drinking in college include:
Increased risk of physical violence and sexual assault
Addiction
Academic problems
Injuries from accidents
Social conflicts
Self-harm and suicide
As many as 1,800 college students die each year from alcohol-related issues. Alcohol use in college can also put you at higher risk of health problems in the future.
What are the effects of using marijuana regularly when you are of college age?
Cannabis does not have the power to create such sudden and powerful outcomes as alcohol poisoning, overdose, and death, but that does not mean the substance is safe. Young adults who use cannabis regularly still face consequences from the drug.
Studies show that cannabis use can be more damaging when started earlier in life. If you regularly use cannabis as a teen or as a college student, you could experience issues like:
Decreased memory and impulse control
Learning problems
Lower IQ scores
Academic problems
Increased risk of schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety
Overall, people who report heavy use of cannabis report lower income, issues with employment, and lower satisfaction with life. Cannabis use can also increase the risk of car accidents if driving while intoxicated.
Does higher marijuana use mean that college students are using other drugs, too?
Substance use among young people does seem to be changing and shifting over the years. As interest in and use of some drugs decline, use of others grows quickly.
From 2017 to 2019, there was a huge surge in vaping cannabis and nicotine in college students, but the rates of vaping have leveled off. Rates of cigarette smoking, amphetamine use, and prescription opioid use are also declining.
The rate of cannabis and hallucinogen use is growing rapidly, though. In 2019, only about 5% of college students used hallucinogens, but in 2020, the rate rose to nearly 9%.
This group of substances includes drugs that can trigger sensory changes to make you feel, see, or hear things that are not there. Hallucinogens include:
LSD
Psilocybin (magic mushrooms)
Mescaline (peyote)
DMT
What guidance can we give to college students and teens about using cannabis instead of alcohol?
Just like with alcohol, you have to remember that being legal does not automatically make something safe or free from risks. Contrary to what you may have heard, weed can result in addiction or cannabis use disorder, and using it before the age of 18 can really increase these risks.
Like other substance use disorders, cannabis use disorder can result in:
Affects your physical, social, or mental health
Makes completing responsibilities at home, work, or school very difficult
Leads to conflicts with loved ones
Consumes too much time in your day
Leaves you feeling odd or uncomfortable
Results in legal or financial problems
Teens and college students need to know accurate information about the real risks and perceived benefits of cannabis and alcohol. They need to know that up to 30% of people who use cannabis could develop a cannabis use disorder, and about 20% of people who use alcohol will become dependent or abuse it.
It's not as if one drug is all bad and the other is all good. Depending on your individual differences and unique situations, you could have a problem with neither drug, both drugs, or only one.
The bottom line
Changing perceptions of cannabis and alcohol are factoring into changes in levels of use. Remember, substance use is an extremely individualized situation. Just because someone else can use cannabis without issues does not mean that it will have the same effect on you.
If you or someone you know struggles with substance use, help is available. Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) to learn about resources in your area.
Why trust our experts?
References
Better Health Channel. (2020). How alcohol affects your body.
CBS News. (2015). Which is worse, booze or pot? A doctor weighs in.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Alcohol and cancer.
Ferdman, R. A., et al. (2014). In most states, marijuana is a bargain compared to beer. The Washington Post.
Keyhani, S., et al. (2018). Risks and benefits of marijuana use: A national survey of U.S. adults. Annals of Internal Medicine.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021). College drinking.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Marijuana research report.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). Marijuana use at historic high among college-aged adults in 2020.
Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. (n.d.). Alcohol poisoning or overdose.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
