Numerous studies have linked state-level marijuana legalization to reduced alcohol use, but new federally funded research is shedding light on how access to cannabis retailers specifically is an important factor underlying the trend.

Researchers at Oregon State University and the Oregon Public Health Division analyzed data on rates of marijuana use and heavy alcohol consumption in areas of the state with varying levels of retail access from January 2014 to December 2022.

The research paper, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine this month, found that “odds of heavy alcohol use were lower with greater cannabis retail access, primarily among 21-24 and 65+ year olds”.

Read the full article HERE.