For generations, having a drink has been one of America’s most familiar ways to relax, socialize and unwind. But new data suggest those habits may be changing.
Alcohol use among American adults is now near historic lows. Gallup reported that 54% of U.S. adults say they drink alcohol, tying the lowest level the organization has recorded since it began tracking drinking habits in 1939.
At the same time, marijuana use has moved in the opposite direction. Gallup reports that 17% of U.S. adults say they smoke marijuana — more than double the 7% reported in 2013. Federal research also shows cannabis use among adults remains at or near historically high levels.
But there is another part of the story.
Nonalcoholic beverages are growing rapidly as well. NIQ reported strong growth in nonalcoholic beer, wine and spirits, suggesting that some consumers may simply be drinking less alcohol rather than replacing it with marijuana.
So, are Americans trading cocktails for cannabis?
The numbers do not prove that. People may be drinking less for many reasons, including health concerns, changing lifestyles, cost and generational differences. Marijuana legalization and changing attitudes toward cannabis may also be influencing consumer behavior.
What the numbers do show is a broader shift in how Americans choose to relax and socialize.
Alcohol remains widely consumed, but its long-standing place in American culture is changing at the same time cannabis and alcohol-free alternatives have become increasingly mainstream.
The way Americans unwind may be entering a new era.
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