For a night out with the girls, dinner and drinks may be typical, but Gen Z prefers something different. taking alcohol out of the picture .
Rather than concluding her lengthy day with a glass of wine, 26-year-old Bre Giglio retrieves her most cherished item. THC drink , which includes a cannabis component and provides her with a calming effect. "Alcohol isn't present in our home," she mentioned. The Independent Not just because we're sober; we simply like preferring THC drinks.
Studies conducted over the years have indicated that younger individuals are reducing their consumption of alcohol. A survey from 2023 revealed this trend. from Gallup, In a 2024 survey, it was found that 62 percent of adults aged 18 to 34 reported consuming alcohol, which marks a 10 percent decline compared to figures from two decades prior. LendingTree It was also discovered that 55 percent of Generation Z individuals felt remorseful about expending such substantial funds on alcohol.
Young individuals are increasingly opting for alternatives beyond alcoholic beverages, such as non-alcoholic beers and apéritifs, along with healthier choices like prebiotic sodas including Poppi and Olipop, and even THC-infused drinks. Depending on the specific brand, these THC-containing beverages can resemble light forms of edible cannabis products similar to gummies. These drinks are crafted using THC derived from hemp plants. Similar to purchasing alcohol, buying these THC-infused drinks also requires being at least 21 years old.
Giglio loves having Nowadays as his beverage nowadays. marketed as The "ideal replacement for your daily cocktail." The bottles of this non-alcoholic beverage, perfect for blending with lemonade or orange juice, come in various potencies, offering either two, five, or ten milligrams of THC per serving.
Every beverage that Giglio consumes holds between five to ten milligrams of THC, according to her, this quantity is perfect. She typically enjoys around five such beverages weekly, always concluding her evenings with one.
An additional choice for a non-alcoholic cocktail is also available. Gigli, which retails cans with Each contains 10 milligrams of THC in tastes such as blueberry lemonade and raspberry ginger.
L GIFLI is Tatum Ross’s, aged 23, preferred beverage choice, which she consumes several times a week instead of alcohol. According to her, these drinks do not dull her senses and have enhanced both her sleep quality and stress management.
It creates room for creativity and more profound reflections, which alcohol does not achieve for me," she stated. "Alcohol often clouds my judgment and can lead to decisions I wouldn’t make when clear-headed. In contrast, THC seems purposeful—it amplifies instead of dulling.
Bre Giglio began consuming THC beverages not as a means to decrease her alcohol consumption—though that was an additional advantage. Her primary reason for indulging in these drinks is their ability to make her feel more at ease and lessen her feelings of anxiety.
“I believe alcohol is deeply embedded in our culture, and often, people view you strangely if you mention not drinking or being sober,” she stated. “On the contrary, some individuals react oddly when you consume THC beverages. However, those might be a far healthier option. Thus, I wish more people would recognize their increasing acceptance.”
Ross acknowledges that her contemporaries are trying THC beverages and consequently reducing their alcohol intake.
Some of us have completely made the switch, while others are just testing the waters. However, it’s clear that this topic has gained more attention compared to what it had a year back," she stated. "I believe my generation is truly embracing holistic health and well-being, which is an area I’m extremely enthusiastic about.
Lara Gould, aged 32, reduced her alcohol consumption a few years ago when she realized that booze wasn't making her more joyful. Gradually shifting toward marijuana use, she became intrigued by the THC-laden beverages available at her nearby Total Wine store.
Even though Gould hasn't completely quit drinking alcohol, she brings her THC beverages to dinner gatherings, which was initially challenging due to preconceived notions about "stoners." She particularly addresses how individuals who consume THC often get stereotyped as lazy or laid-back, similar to characters such as Shaggy from Scooby-Doo .
I'm not into smoking marijuana. The focus is on presenting these drink options to my friends, who aren't as knowledgeable about THC like I am," she explained. "Initially, it seemed odd to them when everyone else was sipping rosé but I showed up with my personal beverages. However, many of them have gradually become more receptive to understanding.
Gould enjoys these beverages as they assist her in feeling more relaxed. She quickly clarifies that she does not rely on them for stress management. "Given the choice between indulging in a THC-laced drink during my preferred pastimes and opting for alcohol, I'd pick the former every single time," she stated.
Everybody responds to THC uniquely, so jumping directly from zero to 10 milligrams isn’t wise. This mirrors the experience of drinking; understanding your tolerance for wine or beer might spare you a nasty hangover later. In sharing their stories, these women spoke about giving themselves permission to ease into consuming THC, slowly discovering what dosage works best for them individually.
Whether it’s news, politics, travel, sports, culture, or climate – The Independent offers a variety of free newsletters tailored to your preferences. To get the stories you’re interested in delivered directly to your inbox along with additional content, simply click. here .
