There was a time in our lives when Friday night signified the start of weekend binge drinking. We’d seamlessly move from after-work cocktails to dinner with a few bottles of wine and then a nightcap at a bar or club nearby. Saturday morning would roll around and we’d fend off a hangover with a bottomless mimosa or a bacon-laden Bloody Mary.

Data is suggesting that these days may be over, at least for now. The “California sober” movement has gained momentum over recent years and is expanding from Coast to Coast. More and more, a broad generation of consumers are openly shunning alcohol in favor of Cannabis, mushrooms and other functional ingredients. American’s daily use of cannabis products has, finally, surpassed their daily use of alcohol, according to a recent study.

Why THC Drinks?
For consumers not interested in smoking Cannabis, a beverage can make for the perfect alternative to alcohol. A quality THC drink is tested for potency, purity and consistency. Fable (see our test results here), delivers a controlled and predictable “tipsy-like” experience. Although everybody processes THC differently, we hear most regularly that 1 fable = 1 large glass of wine in how it makes you feel.

Replacing Alcohol with Cannabis?
Simply put, drinking alcohol is inherently risky. Just one drink a day can raise blood pressure, increase your risk of cancer, or even cause your brain to shrink in size. Over the long term, heavy alcohol consumption is responsible for more than 178,000 deaths each year, as estimated by the CDC. On the other hand, there are no documented deaths from THC overconsumption—and while research still needs to be done on the long-term effects of ingestible cannabis, it has a plethora of potential health benefits (especially when smoking is removed from the equation).

THC drinks also are generally lower in calories than most alcoholic beverages. One can of Fable has 60 calories, whereas one glass of wine has ~160 calories, one pint of beer has ~180 calories and one mixed cocktail—like a martini or an old fashioned—typically ranges from ~150-300 calories.

Is That Why More People Are Choosing THC Over Alcohol?
Perhaps! The health considerations alone are enough to have millions of Americans reconsidering their nightcap options. But there are still several pros and cons about trading one for the other:

Pros of Choosing THC vs. Alcohol

• • Effects on your Body: Inherently, alcohol and THC affect the body differently. Many people claim cannabis helps them relax, improves their sleep quality, or inspires them in better ways than alcohol. The lack of a hangover is also a big draw for cannabis; after a night of consuming THC drinks, you will not experience the full-body ick and pounding headache that you would after a night of consuming alcoholic beverages.
  • Fitting In with your Lifestyle: Drinks like Fable are “environment dependant”, such that, if you are watching a movie at home at night, a THC drink will likely amplify that relaxation and might even send you to sleep. If you consume Fable at a nightclub, or poolside, it will leave you giggling away with friends.

Cons of Choosing THC vs. Alcohol

• • General Availability: As it currently stands, cannabis laws and regulations vary across the U.S. THC derived from Hemp D9, which is what we use in our 12 oz. cans, is widely legal in some states while other states have dosage limits (i.e. allowances on THC per liquid volume) and some still have a total ban in place. State and federal THC regulations are constantly changing, so while there may be a future in which it is possible to order a Fable with dinner at restaurants around the country, for now, you’ll have to settle for direct-to-your-doorstep delivery from our website (if you live in one of the 38 states we’re able to ship to…you can find that list in our FAQs!)
  • Social Stigma: While more people are becoming accepting of cannabis products, some are still simply not ready to welcome it into their everyday life and may even be a tad judgmental about others’ consumption. Luckily, a cocktail glass filled with Fable looks like any other cocktail, it is a great, discreet way of opting for THC while around others!

We are optimistic that the major cons of availability and stigma will continue to decrease as states continue to legalize cannabis. THC-infused beverages can offer a delicious, appealing option for those looking to socialize or unwind at the end of the day without the hangovers or risks associated with alcohol. If you’re canna-curious and interested in Fable but don’t know where to start, we have a whole blog post that may help!

Drink Intentionally!