Doing Dry January? Learn how cannabis can help.
From kick-starting New Year’s weight loss and fitness resolutions to giving your body a break from holiday excess, there are lots of reasons why Dry January is popular. Of course, the same things that make alcohol so enjoyable also make it hard to give up. If you’re trying to go alcohol-free this January, but you’re worried about how you’ll be able to take the edge off a stressful day or feel relaxed in social situations, we’re here to help.
We asked associates from Curaleaf dispensaries around the country to share their thoughts on Dry January, why cannabis can be a great substitute for your favorite alcoholic beverage, and how to get started.
Reasons to go dry this January
Training Specialist, Samantha Upham is one of our most knowledgeable team members. “There are many excellent short-term and long-term health benefits to giving up alcohol,” Samantha says. “Some patients have mentioned weight loss, improved blood sugar, lower cholesterol, boosted immune system, lower blood pressure, and better sleep.”
Michael Morales Garcia, an Associate from our Glendalle, AZ dispensary agrees: “Dry January seems to be of most importance to those wanting to reorganize their priorities. To achieve a more consistent thought process or routine without alcohol, generally to improve their daily lives or recalibrate themselves for those around them.”
For Phoenix, AZ Store Manager Ryan Wilkie, Dry January is all about: “Starting the new year as healthy as possible. It’s a lot easier to go to the gym when you’re not hungover from alcohol. That’s going to make you feel better in lots of ways. Also, skipping all those extra calories in beer and wine is the best way to get results from your New Year’s diet. While it's true that some cannabis products can increase your appetite, that's something you can control by choosing healthy snacks."
Why cannabis is a positive alternative to alcohol
From the old-school beer belly to the Freshman Fifteen, we’ve known for a long time that the empty calories in alcohol can significantly impact our weight. Nick Soltys, an Associate in our Horsham, PA dispensary has an even harsher critique of alcohol. “Alcohol has no real health benefits,” Nick explains. “Cannabis has the same ability as alcohol to take the edge off after a long day or put people in high spirits during a celebration with the added benefits of the naturally occurring terpenes within the plant itself.” Just as the smell of lavender can relax you and the aroma of fresh oranges can boost energy, the terpenes in different strains of cannabis can have different therapeutic effects beyond the THC “high.”
Samantha takes things a step further: “Alcohol impairs thinking and coordination, but it also has a direct impact on our brains and bodies. Drinking too much, either on a single occasion or over a long period of time, can have serious health consequences. It’s also important to note that while thousands of people each year die of alcohol poisoning,no one has ever died from cannabis use, so it’s a much safer alternative.”
Personal opinions on the benefits of cannabis you won’t get from alcohol
Scientists are still researching cannabis to confirm the benefits people have enjoyed and encouraged others to try for centuries. Samantha has her own experiences that she’s happy to share: “For me, cannabis has helped relax me and improve my mental outlook. Alcohol has the opposite effect on me. Smoking cannabis, eating a THC gummy, or taking CBD drops gives me the mental break I need without any of the negative physical side effects I experience with alcohol. I also use cannabis as a way to reduce my alcohol cravings.”
Ryan uses cannabis for recovery after working out at the gym. “Having alcohol after an aggressive workout is not the best idea, but using cannabis is a great alternative,” he explains. “Sleep is essential to muscle recovery and reducing inflammation, and I get awesome results from cannabis with none of alcohol’s extra calories or dehydrating effects.”
“Cannabis helps me relax in social situations without waking up with a headache or upset stomach the next day,” Nick says. “I can also say that I’ve never said or done something I regret during a night of cannabis use, which is something a lot of people can’t say about alcohol. Cannabis has helped me with its calming effects and ability to help increase my mental focus and overall mood to name a few opposed to feeling horrible the next day; it’s a no-brainer to me.”
For Michael, cannabis has been nothing short of life-changing. “Cannabis has not only elevated my career, but my academics as well,” he explains. “I was able to use the topic of cannabis, and the benefits of the industry as my capstone research topic for my Business Law degree at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Cannabis has provided me with so much more than relief. It’s given me a purpose.”
Ready to choose cannabis over alcohol? Here’s how to start.
Whether you’ve never used cannabis before or it’s been a few years since you last tried it, you have lots of options. “For someone who is new to cannabis, I suggest a low-dosage cannabis edible if they prefer not to smoke,” Samantha suggests. “Edibles are discreet and generally considered a healthier way to consume cannabis. Plus, there are many tasty edibles available on the market today.”
“If a patient is open to smoking, I like to set them up with a nice hybrid flower, pre-roll or vape product,” Ryan explains. “If they're not into smoking, I like to get them on a 2.5mg-5mg edible that is fast-acting like a Nano. We want patients to avoid the situation where they don’t immediately feel any effects after taking an edible, so they take another and end up having a more intense experience than they expected.” Samantha agrees. “Always start low (1.5mg – 5mg) and work your way up. It’s always possible to consume more cannabis, but impossible to consume less once it’s in your system.
Fast-acting effect is why Michael recommends vape cartridges with adjustable voltage batteries. “The adjustable heat on the battery allows the patient to control their usage to their liking,” Michael explains. “Vapes also make it easy to test thresholds with different strains whether they be Indica, Sativa or Hybrid.”
Because cannabis affects everyone differently, Nick recommends trying different products. “I tell my patients to try small amounts of different flower or vape strains and then lean into things like tinctures, capsules, topicals, and lotions that most first-time patients don’t know exist. The idea is to send them home with different options to increase the likelihood of a positive experience and expose them to more than just one product or strain.”
Our dispensary associates are some of the most knowledgeable and passionate people you’ll ever meet and they love sharing their personal experiences with patients seeking alternative solutions to their wellness challenges and objectives. Whether you’re approaching Dry January as a short-term goal or the beginning of a permanent lifestyle change, we hope Samantha, Ryan, Michael, and Nick gave you some solid ideas to help you reach your goals.
To start a conversation with one of our awesome associates at a dispensary near you, CLICK HERE to find the closest Curaleaf location!