Freakonomics Radio Episode 607: Is America Switching From Booze to Weed?

Release Date: October 17, 2024

In Episode 607 of Freakonomics Radio, host Stephen J. Dubner explores the intriguing shift in substance use trends in America—from traditional alcohol consumption to the rising popularity of cannabis. This comprehensive, four-part series delves into the historical, economic, and public health dimensions of this transition, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of its implications.

Introduction: The Changing Landscape of Substance Use

The episode opens in Sheffield, Massachusetts, at a busy retail shop called The Pass, where customers share their personal reasons for choosing cannabis over alcohol. Dubner introduces the premise with compelling firsthand accounts:

• Michael Siegel (02:04): "This is pretty much the only way to get my brain to shut off, to actually fall asleep."
• John Calkins (02:25): "It's just nice to know that it's legal now."

Dubner highlights a striking statistic: in the United States, daily or near-daily cannabis users now outnumber those who use alcohol with the same frequency. This phenomenon raises critical questions about societal shifts and the underlying factors driving this change.

Historical Context: From Ancient Civilizations to Modern Legislation

To understand the present trend, Dubner traces the historical roots of both alcohol and cannabis use:

• Tom Standage, Author of A History of the World in Six Glasses (07:15): "People would have made a sort of barley or wheat rich soup, and then they might have left it out and it would have naturally fermented with wild yeast."

Standage emphasizes alcohol's central role in ancient economies and its contribution to human civilization. Conversely, the history of cannabis in the U.S. is marked by fluctuating legal statuses and cultural perceptions. Dubner explains how cannabis shifted from a widely used plant for various purposes to a prohibited substance, culminating in the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 under President Nixon, who controversially labeled drug use as the nation's "number one public enemy" despite personal reservations about its dangers (24:07).

Public Health Perspectives: Alcohol vs. Cannabis

The episode juxtaposes the well-documented harms of alcohol with the evolving understanding of cannabis:

• John Calkins (37:31): "The effects of alcohol in our society are overwhelming. At least 100,000 deaths a year are attributable to alcohol."

Dubner references data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), revealing that excessive alcohol use results in approximately 180,000 deaths annually in the U.S., with significant societal costs including healthcare and lost productivity.

In contrast, cannabis, though increasing in use, presents a different risk profile. Yasmin Hurd (27:09), a neuroscientist studying substance use disorders, points out the vast variability in individual responses to cannabis and the lack of comprehensive research on its long-term effects, especially given the potency of modern strains (31:14).

Addiction and Behavioral Impacts

The discussion delves into the addictive potential of both substances:

• John Calkins (40:46): "There's no question that cannabis qualifies as an addictive drug."

While alcohol is established as a significant public health issue, alcohol industry influence on research and policy remains problematic. Conversely, the cannabis industry is still grappling with understanding its long-term impacts. Hurd emphasizes the need for extensive research to comprehend how high concentrations of THC affect users both short-term and long-term (32:49).

Furthermore, the "gateway drug" theory is examined, with evidence suggesting that cannabis use may lead to increased alcohol consumption, contrary to claims that it serves as a substitute for harmful substances (42:45).

Cannabis as a Potential Substitute for Alcohol

The episode explores the possibility of cannabis replacing alcohol in American society, presenting varied expert opinions:

• John Calkins (46:40): "If everyone who was using alcohol was instead using cannabis, it would be a much safer, healthier world."

Calkins advocates for a hypothetical scenario where alcohol use is entirely replaced by cannabis, citing the reduced societal harms associated with the latter. However, Yasmin Hurd (47:46) expresses caution, noting the current gaps in scientific understanding and the high prevalence of daily cannabis use posing unknown risks.

Public health experts like Michael Siegel and Yasmin Hurd emphasize the necessity of regulated markets and harm reduction strategies to navigate this potential societal shift responsibly.

Conclusion and Future Directions

Dubner concludes the first part of the series by acknowledging the complexities involved in the transition from alcohol to cannabis. The forthcoming episodes promise to delve deeper into the economics of the cannabis industry, regulatory challenges, agricultural aspects, and the future trajectory of cannabis use in America.

Listeners are left with a thought-provoking question: as cannabis continues to gain popularity, what will be the long-term consequences for individuals and society? The series aims to unravel these mysteries by engaging with industry insiders, medical professionals, and policy makers.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen Dubner (04:18): "You know you can't drink every day and be okay."
• Yasmin Hurd (27:09): "We know that for every addictive substance, the higher the concentration of that particular chemical, the greater the addiction risk."
• John Calkins (46:40): "If everyone who was using alcohol was instead using cannabis, it would be a much safer, healthier world."

Looking Ahead:

In Part Two, Dubner and his guests will examine the intricate economics of the cannabis industry, exploring why it hasn't developed as predicted and the regulatory hurdles it faces. Subsequent episodes will visit cannabis farms and attempt to forecast the future of America's relationship with cannabis.

This episode provides a foundational understanding of the current shifts in substance use, setting the stage for a detailed exploration of cannabis as a societal alternative to alcohol. By weaving historical context with contemporary data and expert insights, Freakonomics Radio offers a thorough analysis of one of America's most significant cultural and public health developments.