Are There Health Benefits to Going ‘California Sober’?

Some people are going California sober, meaning they are cutting back on or quitting alcohol or other addictive substances in favor of using marijuana. In theory, the lifestyle choice aims to replace more harmful substances with something perceived as safer.

One recent study in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that heavy alcohol users who smoked cannabis reduced how much they drank. But more research is needed.

"California sober is considered to be a [nonclinical] form of harm reduction, as the goal is to reduce the risk of having adverse effects related to substance use,” says Ryan Marino, MD, an associate professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University and a toxicologist at the University Hospitals in Cleveland. “Cannabis and psychedelics or hallucinogens are not necessarily safe, per se, but are usually considered to have less risk of causing serious injury or illness compared with drugs like alcohol or opioids.”

But the approach isn’t beneficial for everyone: People with addiction disorders may struggle with any substance use, including marijuana. Also, because it’s federally classified as a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana isn’t legal in every state.

Here’s what experts and medical research say about opting to go California sober. Always speak to your doctor for guidance on managing substance use.