A survey in New Zealand has revealed significant proportions of those using cannabis reported lower levels of alcohol and methamphetamine use.
An online survey by Massey University researchers completed by 23,500 New Zealand respondents asked those who had used cannabis and any of eight other substances in the same six-month period if cannabis use had any impact on their use of each other substance.
The other substances were alcohol, tobacco, meth, MDMA, synthetic cannabis, LSD, morphine and cocaine.
Cannabis use led to “less” alcohol (60%), synthetic cannabinoids (60%), morphine (44%) and methamphetamine (40%) use found the survey; which was carried out some time ago (2020). Approximately 70% reported cannabis use had “no impact” on LSD, MDMA, and cocaine consumption; while one in five said their cannabis use led to “more” tobacco use – but around 35% said they used less tobacco.
Respondents were asked about a range of demographic variables and the researchers noted cannabis and other drug co-use patterns were moderated by stages of life, lifestyle factors, cultural perspectives, and urbanicity.
The researchers said their findings could have a number of implications in terms of harm reduction. These included:
- Greater access to cannabis could provide opportunities for older young adults to cut back on excessive alcohol consumption within an age group with high prevalence of risky drinking.
- Greater access could play a role in reducing methamphetamine use for some individuals.
“Medicinal cannabis schemes could be explicitly extended to include provisions for prescriptions for medicinal cannabis to reduce use of higher risks drugs, including excessive alcohol, stimulants and prescription analgesics,” the authors state.
The study has been published in Harm Reduction Journal.
A national referendum on the legalisation of recreational cannabis use and supply in New Zealand in 2020 was narrowly rejected. 48.4% of New Zealanders were in favour of it, while 50.7% rejected legalisation – 0.9% of ballots were deemed invalid. However, there were accusations no-campaigners used misinformation to encourage votes against legalisation and regulation.
A lot has changed in New Zealand since that time, and perhaps attitudes with it. But another referendum occurring in the foreseeable future is unlikely.
