How Does Cannabis Interact With Alcohol?

Is drinking alcohol harmful while taking your medical marijuana? Here’s what you need to know.

Recent studies from the American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) show that consuming alcohol causes a significant increase in the blood’s THC level. So is drinking harmful when consuming cannabis?

Cannabis and Alcohol: The Risks

Using alcohol with cannabis can be dangerous for a number of reasons. Drinking before consuming cannabis can intensify the ‘high’ effect. Alcohol increases the absorption of marijuana’s main psychoactive ingredient, THC. This can produce a ‘green out’ effect, which is a severe reaction. Symptoms are often sweating, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

Consuming marijuana before drinking alcohol can minimize the effects of alcohol, so you may be tipsier than you feel, increasing your risk of becoming too intoxicated. Driving under the influence of these two combined substances is not only illegal but extremely dangerous.

Overall, you should be cautious while using any drug or medication while also using medical marijuana. Always consult with your doctor if you have questions about possible drug interactions. Marijuana is a complex plant with numerous interactions with the body which change based on strain, terpenes and the cannabinoid system.