Concomitant use of alcohol and cannabis is increasing in these states

The legalization of marijuana is increasing the concomitant use of alcohol and marijuana, a combination that, while common, has some negative side effects.

Columbia University researchers conducted a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine and argued that the phenomenon is more common in young people, making them more likely to experience negative side effects.

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“Our results are worrying given that concomitant use of cannabis and alcohol is associated with more negative outcomes (e.g., risky behaviors [driving under the influence], heavy substance use, increased risk of alcohol use disorders) for individuals and society,” said lead researcher Priscilla Goncalves. “Until this study, little was known about the [recreational cannabis laws] and adult concomitant use in the US, where adult cannabis use and alcohol use is increasing in a changing cannabis policy environment.”

Concomitant use of cannabis and alcohol has increased over the years, particularly in the age groups 21-30 (10.4%), 31-40 (6%) and 41-50 (4.7%). It shows that there is enough evidence to believe that legalizing marijuana is increasing the practice.

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“The greater availability and ability to access cannabis through legal supply chains for adults 21 and over, such as B. Pharmacies, which are present in most RCL states, could explain why we observed an increase in concomitant cannabis/alcohol use in individuals aged 21-50 years, but not 12-20 years after RCLs in this sample said Silvia Martins, senior author of the study.

Both researchers contend that rule of law states may need to develop strategies to address this in the future, particularly for adults between the ages of 21 and 50.

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Concomitant use of cannabis and alcohol is common practice, leading to an overlapping of both effects. Both substances are sedatives that slow down and reinforce each other’s responses to multiple stimuli. Cannabis can make you feel less drunk and suppress your gag reflex, resulting in people drinking more and not being able to throw up to detox.