Swearing off alcohol for “Dry January” is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions. For some patients, medical marijuana is an effective balance as they explore a more sober lifestyle. Whether you’re taking on the Dry January challenge or stepping away from alcohol at any time of year, here’s how you can go about balancing this choice with medical marijuana.
What is Dry January?
Dry January has become an annual tradition during which some people take a break from drinking alcohol. It gives their bodies and minds a chance to detox and recover after the revelry of the holidays. Whether you’re pursuing a New Year’s resolution to drink less alcohol, are “sober curious” in a broader sense, or just feel like you need a break from the bottle, Dry January can be a great way to do it.
What does “California Sober” mean?
The term “California Sober” refers to people who don’t consume alcohol but consume medical marijuana. Some patients who abstain from alcohol during Dry January may describe their lifestyle as a Cali sober one.
The Dry January – medical marijuana connection
Dry January can be a challenge in such an alcohol-centric culture. Most social gatherings have alcohol available and it’s common to be offered alcoholic beverages by well-meaning friends and acquaintances. It’s normal to want to feel included, even when you’re not partaking.
Fortunately, medical marijuana products provide a helpful way to feel involved, just in a way that doesn’t involve alcohol. Plus, medical marijuana may be effective at easing the transition away from alcohol. Mixing a tincture into a non-alcoholic drink or bringing a vape along with you are two great ways to have something in your hands at a gathering that isn’t a beer or a glass of wine.
Benefits of trying Dry January
For many people, going “Cali Sober” – even just for Dry January – may have significant benefits. Ditching alcohol for a full month can improve your mental and physical health in a significant way. It can even help you reassess your relationship with alcohol for the better moving forward. Abstaining from alcohol may help you in the following ways:
- You’ll reduce your risk of illness: Alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing illnesses like cancer, liver disease, and cardiovascular disease, especially in people who drink alcohol to excess. Quitting for just one month reduces the risks of these diseases in the long term. Of course, that’s dependent on how heavily you tend to drink and whether you continue drinking at those levels after Dry January.
- You may drink less for the rest of the year: The good news is that most people who give up alcohol for one month drink less throughout the rest of the year. One study found that people who participated in Dry January (or abstained from alcohol for any one-month period) drank alcohol on an average of 3.3 days per week compared to 4.3 days per week for those who didn’t. Additionally, the rate at which Dry January participants drank to excess was only 2.1 times per month. Those who did not participate drank excessively 3.4 times per month.
- You’ll experience improved sleep and energy: In a self-reported survey of Dry January participants, 71 percent reported they experienced a better quality of sleep and 67 percent said they had higher energy levels. This led to self-reported improvements in concentration and overall well-being, as well.
- You can still partake: If having a drink or two served to ease feelings of social anxiety, medical marijuana offers a non-alcoholic alternative that may do the same for you. Thanks to the wide range of medical marijuana products available in Pennsylvania dispensaries, you can consume in a number of different ways and not feel left out of the fun.
It’s important to mention that if you are recovering from substance use disorder, it may not be advisable to adopt the Cali Sober lifestyle. We recommend consulting with medical and psychiatric professionals for guidance before doing so. Vytal Options dispensaries also offer on-site pharmacists at all locations, so you can get the most important facts before you buy—book a consultation in-person or virtually to meet with one of our pharmacists.
Dry January medical marijuana recipes to try
If you’d like to make your own medical marijuana mocktails, this list of our favorite recipes is for you. These simple, tasty beverages will help you sip in style without feeling any of the pressure to imbibe.
Canna-Infused Mocktail
Ingredients
- 1ml or 1 dose from a Tincture of your choice
- Juice from ½ a fresh squeezed lime
- Juice from ½ a fresh squeezed orange
- 4-6 oz of Ginger Ale (or your favorite flavored Seltzer)
- Berry of choice, we suggest Raspberry, Cranberry or Pomegranate
- Sprig of rosemary and an orange peel to use as garnish
Directions
- Grab your favorite rocks glass and add Ice
- Add 1ml or dose from Tincture of your choice. We recommend using a Fruit flavored tincture like Organic Remedies Fruit Punch 1 THC: 1 CBD or PHG’s Chill Elderberry Syrup
- Add juice from 1/2 a fresh squeezed lime to glass
- Add juice from 1/2 a fresh squeezed orange to glass
- Add a few berries to glass and stir
- Top with Ginger Ale (or your favorite flavored Seltzer)
- To garnish, cut a strip of orange peel and twist it around to create a coil, allowing any oil released to fragrance the glass. Drape the twist over the edge of the glass with the sprig of rosemary.
Dosing Guide
This recipe makes one beverage, but can be adjusted into as many as you’d like.
(Since this recipe is only for one glass, patients would multiply the ingredients to make more, not less.)
To calculate dosing, refer to the packaging of the tincture you chose to use, then use the formula below:
#mg THC added / # of portions of cocktail = #mg THC per portion
Canna-Infused Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 cups of Milk, we suggest whole milk for its richness.
- 4 tbs of Cocoa powder
- 2 tsp of Sugar or Sweetener of choice (only add if your cocoa powder is unsweetened)
- Sprinkle of Cinnamon
- Pinch of sea salt
- ¼ tsp of Vanilla extract
- 3 oz Dark Chocolate finely chopped
- Add 1ml or dose from Tincture of your choice – We used Organic Remedies S’mores
- Top with marshmallows or whip cream and chocolate shavings
Directions
- Add milk to a saucepan and heat until steaming, be careful not to let the milk boil.
- Add cocoa powder, sugar, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir well until all ingredients are well combined.
- Turn the heat down to a low simmer and add vanilla extract and the finely chopped chocolate into the warm milk mixture. Stir gently, allowing the chocolate pieces to melt into the mixture until it becomes smooth and creamy.
- Take the saucepan off of the heat and add the tincture. We suggest using a flavored one like Gleaf’s Cocoa Mint or Dr. Solomon’s Doze drops to help you get cozy.
- Continue to stir until fully combined.
- Allow to sit for 2-3 mins and then pour the hot cocoa mixture into mugs topping as you prefer; we suggest whipped cream, marshmallows, or peppermint candies
Dosing Guide
This recipe makes one beverage, but can be adjusted into as many as you’d like.
(Since this recipe is only for one glass, patients would multiply the ingredients to make more, not less.)
To calculate dosing, refer to the packaging of the tincture you chose to use, then use the formula below:
#mg THC added / # of portions of cocktail = #mg THC per portion
Starting Dry January on the right foot
If you’re all-in on Dry January and think medical marijuana is right for your transition, we’ve got you covered. Visit one of our Vytal Options dispensaries throughout Pennsylvania to stock up on your favorite products, and check out our product finder to shop for favorites throughout the Commonwealth. From vapes to edibles to tinctures, we’ve got everything you need to make your Dry January a success.
