A new study on the impact of marijuana consumption on people’s use of other drugs suggests that for many, cannabis may act as a less-dangerous substitute, allowing people to reduce their intake of substances such as alcohol, methamphetamine and opioids like morphine.

The survey, of 23,500 people in New Zealand, asked participants about whether their use of cannabis had any influence on their consumption of other substances. For the most part, it found that marijuana use was associated with reduced frequency and quantity of use of other certain substances.

“Significant proportions reported cannabis use led to ‘less’ alcohol (60%), synthetic cannabinoid (60%), morphine (44%) and methamphetamine (40%) use,” the new report says. “Those who reported using ‘less’ had lower frequency and amount used of other drugs.”

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