Bankruptcies hit US spirit makers as Americans drink and spend less

[rurallib]

14. I have read that only 54% of Americans now say they drink alcohol

https://news.gallup.com/poll/693362/drinking-rate-new-low-alcohol-concerns-surge.aspx

I was curious if the THC infused drinks had displaced some of the alcohol. It looks like it has. Now I do not know if that is good or bad. Impaired anything is still impaired.

I found this bit from High Times interesting:
https://hightimes.com/business/move-over-booze-weed-drinks-pulled-1-1-billion-in-u-s-sales-in-2024/

From Fringe to Force

Not long ago, weed drinks sat dusty in dispensary coolers, competing with gummies and vapes for a sliver of shelf space. Today, they are reshaping how Americans unwind. Whitney’s report estimates the total U.S. market potential at $9.9 to $14.9 billion, roughly 10% of alcohol sales. For comparison, the U.S. energy drink sector is worth about $25 billion. Suddenly, the idea that cannabis drinks could rival Red Bull does not sound so far-fetched.

The shift was sparked by the 2018 Farm Bill, which decoupled hemp from marijuana and opened the door for hemp-derived THC beverages to flood mainstream channels. Then came the Minnesota effect, where lawmakers accidentally greenlit hemp THC seltzers in bars, liquor stores and restaurants. The state racked up over $200 million in drink sales almost overnight, and other states took notice.

So it looks like weed is replacing some booze sales