As the legalization of cannabis continues to sweep the nation, the alcohol industry is realizing it has some stiff competition.
The marijuana industry is picking up momentum. So much so that the alcohol industry is worried.
Many people are discovering that cannabis is a safer and healthier alternative to beer and alcohol, and those once loyal drinkers are replacing their brewskies and cocktails with cannabis.
According to the Brewers Association, beer brings in more than $101 billion annually.
Of course, the cannabis industry is no where near that yet, but marijuana sales continue to increase as more states legalize its use, and as more people are discovering the many health benefits.
Although there is ongoing research regarding the specific health advantages and disadvantages associated with alcohol and cannabis, there are many factors that serve as proof that cannabis is the healthier choice.
Unfortunately many people die from alcohol use.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 37,000 annual U.S. deaths are attributed to alcohol use alone. However, the CDC doesn’t even have a category for deaths caused by the use of marijuana.
Alcohol is linked to cancer, whereas cannabis is commonly used to treat patients with a wide range of illnesses and cancers.
Alcohol has been linked to stomach cancer, pancreas cancer and liver cancer, just to name a few. In fact, alcohol intake is the most significant contributing factor to the cases of liver disease in the U.S.
Alcohol consumption is also linked to weight gain. We’ve all seen the infamous “beer belly” and that is because one beer can have anywhere from 120 calories to 150 calories. Cannabis on the other hand, is used by many people as a weight loss aid.
Another perk of choosing cannabis over beer or a glass of wine or a shot of tequila is that you won’t have a hangover the next day.
Yes, a night of drinking can produce fun memories, but those memories are often soon forgotten when you wake up feeling like you got hit by a truck. Marijuana, however, will also give you a buzz, but without a nasty hangover.
These are only a handful of advantages cannabis has over beer and alcohol, but as research continues, more health benefits will be revealed.
And although the cannabis industry has a lot of catching up to do, it’s clear that marijuana is becoming stiff competition for the beer and alcohol industry.
