Is Cannabis Replacing Beer? Canadian Study Links Weed Legalization To Drop In Alcohol Sales
A new study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence suggests that legalizing cannabis is “associated with a decline in beer sales” and consumption.
The study, conducted by a team from the University of Manitoba, Memorial University and the University of Toronto, examined beer sales data in Canada before and after the legalization of recreational marijuana in 2018.
Researchers observed an immediate drop of 96 hectoliters per 100,000 people, followed by a further monthly decline of four hectoliters per 100,000 people. This translates to an average monthly decrease of 136 hectoliters per 100,000 people post-legalization. A hectoliter is a metric unit of capacity equal to one hundred liters.
Data from the 2022-23 fiscal year shows that Canada generated more excise tax revenue from cannabis ($660 million) than from wine ($205 million) and beer ($450 million) combined. This economic shift highlights the potential impact of cannabis …