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Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects more than 28 million Americans, yet fewer than 10 percent of patients receive treatment, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Current FDA-approved medications—such as naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram—only work for a subset of patients and often bring unwanted side effects.
A new federally funded study published in Nature by researchers at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) provides compelling evidence that cannabidiol (CBD), the non-intoxicating compound in cannabis, could one day offer a safer and more effective option.
The study, supported by NIAAA and UCSD’s Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, involved 166 rodents. Researchers administered synthetic CBD at doses of 30 or 60 milligrams per kilogram of body weight and compared results with a control group.
The findings were clear:
Importantly, CBD did not sedate the animals, nor did it alter blood alcohol levels. As the UCSD team noted, “chronic administration of cannabidiol attenuates both behavioral and neurobiological manifestations of alcohol dependence in rodent models.”
AUD remains one of the most difficult addictions to treat, with relapse rates estimated at 40–60 percent. The fact that CBD can act on multiple targets—including serotonin, opioid, and TRP receptors—makes it uniquely suited to address both the psychological and neurobiological dimensions of dependence.
This study also adds weight to a growing body of research:
The UCSD findings come amid a cultural shift in substance use. Multiple surveys show cannabis is increasingly being used as a substitute for alcohol:
In fact, daily cannabis use has already surpassed daily alcohol consumption in the United States. This substitution effect highlights why CBD therapies could reshape not only medicine but also the alcohol industry itself.
If CBD for alcohol dependence moves into human clinical trials, several cannabis companies are strategically positioned to lead.
Tilray Brands (Stock Ticker: TLRY)
TilrayBrands’ medical division already supplies EU-GMP certified cannabis oils and capsules in over 20 countries. They’ve partnered with major pharma companies in the past, including Sandoz, to push cannabis-based medicines forward. With ongoing cannabinoid research—including in alcohol-related disorders—Tilray could scale CBD therapies rapidly.
Canopy Growth (Stock Ticker: CGC)
Canopy has partnered with CURE Pharmaceutical to develop CBD oral dissolvable strips, a novel delivery format well-suited for medical treatments. With global scale and backing from Constellation Brands, Canopy has the infrastructure to commercialize CBD-based therapies.
Cronos Group (Stock Ticker: CRON)
Cronos owns CBD-focused brands like Lord Jones and Spinach and has invested in fast-acting delivery systems such as Geocann’s VESIsorb capsules. Backed by Altria, Cronos has both the financial resources and technological capabilities to pivot toward medical applications.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals (Stock Ticker: JAZZ)
Through its GW Pharmaceuticals unit, Jazz already markets Epidiolex®, the first FDA-approved CBD drug for epilepsy. With proven regulatory experience and an established CBD platform, Jazz could fast-track trials for alcohol use disorder if efficacy is demonstrated in humans.
Aurora Cannabis (Stock Ticker: ACB)
Aurora entered the U.S. CBD market through its acquisition of Reliva, giving it nationwide retail reach. This positions Aurora to supply consumer-grade CBD products that could evolve into medical applications.
The UCSD study published in Nature offers compelling evidence that CBD can reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms, lower relapse risk, and protect the brain from alcohol-induced damage. While still preclinical, the findings highlight CBD’s potential as a new therapeutic tool for alcohol use disorder—an area of urgent unmet need.
For cannabis companies, this research represents more than just science—it points to a potentially transformative market opportunity. From Tilray to Jazz Pharmaceuticals, industry leaders are already laying the groundwork to scale CBD therapies if clinical trials in humans confirm the promise shown in animals.
As Americans increasingly substitute cannabis for alcohol, and with consumer and medical markets converging, CBD may be poised to impact both public health and the future of the cannabis industry.
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