Cannabis users embrace 'California sober', amid US surgeon general alcohol warning

Record ID: 1894268

  • Title: Cannabis users embrace 'California sober', amid US surgeon general alcohol warning
  • Date: 4th January 2025
  • Summary: SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (JANUARY 3, 2025) (Reuters) VARIOUS OF CANNABIS PLANTS IN GROWING FACILITY IN AIRFIELD SUPPLY COMPANY DISPENSARY CHRIS LANE, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER AT GOLD FLORA CORPORATION, WALKING AT AIRFIELD SUPPLY COMPANY (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHRIS LANE, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER AT GOLD FLORA CORPORATION, SAYING: "Dry January is a topic, it's something that has come in popularity. It's grown more and more. It's something we see a lot in the cannabis industry, especially over the last several years. Dry January, Sober October, you know, you hear the phrase California sober. These are all different ways as the consumer base expands and the types of delivery methods expand. We have beverages, we have edibles, we have all these different kinds of things. I think people are looking and interested in alternatives to alcohol, and just exploring different options." VARIOUS OF CANNABIS PRODUCTS IN PACKAGES BEHIND COUNTER VARIOUS OF CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT-REQUIRED WARNING LABEL (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHRIS LANE, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER AT GOLD FLORA CORPORATION, ON GOVERNMENT WARNING LABELS REQUIRED IN CALIFORNIA'S CANNABIS INDUSTRY, SAYING: "Cannabis really was kind of founded in the concept of compliance and the legalization movement, especially around 2018 when it became adult-use legal, you know there was a large system of requirements. And really it's one of the more regulated industries in the world, so compliance has always been at the forefront of the industry. And those warning labels are really a core piece of that, in terms of what the size of it, how legible does it have to be, what are they including, where are they pointing to, what kind of resources does it have, so really everything from the beginning." VARIOUS OF CUSTOMERS IN LINE AT AIRFIELD SUPPLY COMPANY VARIOUS OF CANNABIS PRODUCTS IN JARS UNDER COUNTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) JENNIFER SMITH, 53, TEACHER FROM SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, SAYING: "It alarms me. I feel like if they're going to put something out like that that we should all be concerned and hopefully make some changes and make the shift for less alcohol and if you need some sort of relaxation, then you know, come to CBD and THC and it's less side effects. I mean, I don't know about the smoking part but I feel about the gummies and the drinks, I feel like they're going to be better for you than alcohol." (SOUNDBITE) (English) NICK BISGROVE, 42, FINANCE WORKER FROM WISCONSIN, SAYING: "I was a little shocked. The last I heard a couple drinks a day was a good thing. So for them to reverse that decision is quite impactful. And being from Wisconsin, we are the number one drinking state, it's going to really ring some bells in the state." VARIOUS OF GRAMLIN CANNABIS ROSIN PRODUCTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) JENNIFER SMITH, 53, TEACHER FROM SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, SAYING: "Well I just feel like the side effects of alcohol are just not something I'm enjoying. I feel like I enjoy it in the moment but afterwards it's just too much on my body and I'm really trying to get into better health. I mean, if it's going to give me the same sort of effect but less on my health, then it's going to be better for me. I want to make the switch. So it's January so here I am, making my switch." (SOUNDBITE) (English) NICK BISGROVE, 42, FINANCE WORKER FROM WISCONSIN, SAYING: "I've drank enough in my 20s and 30s for a few lifetimes, so I like to switch it up. I've noticed since I've personally cut back on my alcohol consumption, I've felt better, it's easier to wake up the morning, yet you still have to get through life and have a stress relief and alternatives are great." VARIOUS OF INTERIOR OF DISPENSARY
  • Embargoed: 18th January 2025 00:30
  • Keywords: ALCOHOL CALIFORNIA CANCER CANNABIS US SURGEON GENERAL
  • Location: SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • City: SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • Country: US
  • Topics: Health/Medicine,North America
  • Reuters ID: LVA001082103012025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Cannabis users in California on Friday (January 3) expressed some surprise and concern at the new recommendation by the U.S. Surgeon General that alcoholic drinks should carry a warning about cancer risks on their label.
    U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said earlier on Friday alcohol consumption increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer, including breast, colon and liver cancer, but most U.S. consumers remain unaware of this.
    Murthy also called for the guidelines on alcohol consumption limits to be reassessed so that people can weigh the cancer risk when deciding whether or how much to drink. U.S. dietary guidelines currently recommend two or fewer drinks per day for men and one drink or less per day for women.
    Outside the Airfield Supply Company, a San Jose, California dispensary owned and operated by Gold Flora Corporation, cannabis users conceded that they had already made the decision to consume less alcohol, even before the news.
    "I've drank enough in my 20s and 30s for a few lifetimes, so I like to switch it up. I've noticed since I've personally cut back on my alcohol consumption, I've felt better, it's easier to wake up the mornings, yet you still have to get through life and have a stress relief and alternatives are great," said Nick Bisgrove, who was visiting from Wisconsin, a state widely known for its drinking culture.
    In California, Department of Cannabis Control issues a series of regulations, including label requirements for cannabis products such as warning symbols, descriptions, government warnings and more, said Chris Lane, chief marketing officer at Gold Flora Corporation, owner of the dispensary.
    Lane said complying with these safety and information regulations has been at the forefront of the industry for years.
    The decision to update labels will ultimately be made by Congress.
    (Production: Nathan Frandino)
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