Alcohol and cannabis: a good mix?

If you're the type of person who enjoys having a beer in one hand and a joint in the other, this study from the American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) may be of interest to you. It showed that THC concentrations in the blood increased significantly after alcohol consumption.

Little research has been done on the physiological effects of mixing alcohol and cannabis. In fact, some American sommeliers stand out for their willingness to pairing certain wines with certain weeds, But this study, carried out on a small sample of people, provides a starting point for future studies on how alcohol and cannabis interact. But this study, carried out on a small sample of 19 people, provides a starting point for future studies into how alcohol and cannabis interact.

The researchers tested variations of small and large doses of cannabis and alcohol, and compared with control and placebo groups. Without alcohol, THC concentration fell to between 32.7 and 42.4µg/L with small and large doses respectively, and with alcohol, these volumes increased to 35.3 and 67.5µg/L THC.

Conclusion: THC concentration in the blood increases with alcohol consumption.

In their press release, the researchers mentioned in particular the implications of these results for road safety, which is still open to debate when it comes to driving under the influence of cannabis. The same concentration of cannabis can have very different effects on different drivers. Some regular cannabis users will have high levels of cannabis in the blood even if you haven't smoked 12 hours before, whereas a less-accustomed smoker might find it more dangerous to drive after only two puffs.

But you don't need studies to know that you shouldn't mix alcohol and/or cannabis with driving.