Alcohol is everywhere. It’s in supermarket aisles, all over restaurant menus, and inescapable at parties. But just because it’s omnipresent doesn’t mean it has to be in your life. Dry January is a time of year dedicated to making this change, and cannabis can help.
What is Dry January?
Dry January is a popular annual tradition in which people don’t drink alcohol for the entire month of January. You can consume cannabis during Dry January, though, to help you successfully complete the challenge. This is why many people go “California sober” for Dry January and sometimes stay that way long after.
What does “California sober” mean?
“California sober” means ditching alcohol while still consuming cannabis. The Cali sober lifestyle helps people strike a balance between complete sobriety and the undesirable experiences often associated with alcohol.
Why do people go California sober?
People often go California sober to be healthier, avoid hangovers, stay social without alcohol, and enjoy new perspectives without feeling sluggish.
Healthier lifestyle
Alcoholic drinks are often high in calories or packed with sugar, whereas many cannabis products contain little to none of either. Perhaps more importantly, alcohol is correlated with negative effects on the liver, heart, and brain.
No hangover the next morning
Dehydration and sleep interruptions are among the most commonly cited effects of alcohol. Together, they often lead to those intense hangovers you regret the morning after.
Cannabis, on the other hand, has little impact on hydration, and many cannabis strains and products are associated with improved rest. In fact, consumers often report cannabinol (CBN), a minor cannabinoid that occurs naturally in cannabis, is useful for promoting sleep; it’s even frequently included in gummies designed to support sleep.
Social-friendly without the constant drink in hand
If you struggle with the party pressure to always be holding a drink in your hand, cannabis can offer a solution. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) drink mixers can turn alcohol-free soda water into an uplifting beverage that helps you be the life of the party or enjoy a date night without any alcohol.
No downer effect
Alcohol is a depressant, so it may subdue your mood and drain your energy. Conversely, many cannabis strains and products promote feeling energized, if not outright blissful.
How to have a successful Dry January
For a better Dry January, know your goals, decide how you’ll consume cannabis, gradually transition to an alcohol-free life, embrace a new hobby, get support from your friends, and test several cannabis products.
Be clear on your reasons
Write down your exact reason (or reasons) for pivoting away from alcohol. Maybe you’re trying to become less dependent on alcohol, or maybe you’re hoping to feel healthier. A perfect understanding of your rationale may help maintain your motivation to stay dry for January.
Know how you’ll consume
Maybe you envision Dry January as a month with no drink in your hand at all. Maybe, instead, you’re fine with social sipping if it’s non-alcoholic. Figuring out what works for you helps you decide which cannabis products will power your Dry January. THC drink mixers are ideal if you can’t get through an event without a drink in hand, whereas vapes and edibles are more discreet alternatives.
Slowly start trying it now
Going completely alcohol-free in January may prove easier if you’ve had some practice with it first. Take December to try swapping out alcohol for cannabis products at a couple events. You may also want to replace some of your trips to the bar with other activities such as strolling through a park or seeing a movie. With practice in December, fully dropping alcohol in January may come easier.
Find a new hobby
Oftentimes, when people successfully go sober, they cultivate a new passion. You may find Dry January easier to commit to with a new hobby in tow. Maybe you could get into hiking or start cooking more with support from local farmers markets. Cannabis products associated with focus and creativity may elevate these hobbies in ways you haven’t previously experienced.
Ask your friends for support
Alcohol is so woven into everyday life that it’s understandable if Dry January feels isolating. Instead of giving into this emotion, tell your friends about your Cali sober aspirations, and ask them to support you. This way, you feel seen and uplifted instead of alone, reducing the chances that you give up on Dry January.
Try different cannabis products and strains
No two people experience any cannabis product in quite the same way, and no two cannabis products are exactly alike. Different cultivars are associated with different effects, and a gummy designed for relaxation may shape your day differently than one known for energy. With help from dispensary staff who know cannabis in and out, you can easily find some products that may suit your wants and needs, then try them and note which ones really do the trick.
7 products for embracing Dry January
Bosky Labs Wild Grape Hash Rosin Syrup
Mix Bosky Labs’ Wild Grape Hash Rosin Syrup into your favorite alcohol-free beverage for a Cali-sober spin. This syrup’s juicy, rich, fruity flavor and fast-acting effects make it a shoo-in for your next social engagement, chill night, or creative session. Plus, as a rosin-derived product, it’s especially potent — and since there’s 100 mg of THC per palm-sized bottle, a little syrup goes a very long way.
Jersey Sauce Boss Live Resin Citrus Party Vape Cart
Be the life of the party with Jersey Sauce Boss’ Live Resin Citrus Party vape cart. Many people find that this one-gram cart imparts energizing, inspiring effects, potentially helping you power through any event feeling radiant and free. With 81.48% THC content, a quick pull before you step into the function may bring you to serenity within just 15 minutes. And to keep the experience going, all you need is another pull.
Jersey Canna Cookies And Cream Smash Milk Chocolate Bar
If you expect to miss the taste of alcoholic drinks, treat yourself to indulgent flavor with the Jersey Canna Cookies And Cream Smash Milk Chocolate Bar. You’ll enjoy the mouthwatering taste of crushed Oreos and rich dark chocolate alongside 10 mg each of THC and cannabidiol (CBD) per chocolate square. CBD is known to tamper THC’s most intense effects, so this chocolate bar may be your best bet if Dry January is your first time really embracing cannabis.
Journeyman Blueberry Lemonade 1:2 CBN Syrup
Crafted with a two-to-one ratio of THC to CBN, Journeyman’s Blueberry Lemonade 1:2 CBN Syrup may help you replace your nighttime alcoholic drink with something smoother. With 10 mg of THC and 5 mg of CBN per serving and 10 servings total per two-ounce bottle, many nights of deep tranquility lie ahead. Enjoy the tart lemon flavor just before bed for dreams as sweet as your nighttime beverage.
The Farmers Market Pineapple Express Disposable Vape
With The Farmers Market’s Pineapple Express disposable vape, you get a classic cannabis strain in a pocket-sized package. Just one pull may be enough to rapidly leave you with a sense of beachside euphoria, with this one-gram vape’s tropical flavors enhancing the laid-back vibes. It’s like soaking up the sun without the mojito.
Camino Freshly Squeezed 2:1 CBG:THC Gummies
Instead of reaching for a drink when the going gets rough, opt for Camino’s Freshly Squeezed gummies. Each piece, which recalls the flavor of freshly juiced oranges, contains 5 mg of THC and 10 mg of cannabigerol (CBG), a minor cannabinoid that may help manage anxiety. And since it’s present in twice the amount of THC, it may balance the latter cannabinoid’s most intense effects. Sit back, relax, and let the stress melt away.
Major Mojo-Rita Mixer
Enjoy classic margarita vibes without the alcohol. Major’s Mojo-Rita Mixer subtracts the alcohol from this staple drink and adds in zesty lemon and fruity blackberry flavors. There’s 100 mg of THC in each two-ounce Major bottle, so you only need a touch of this mixer to amplify any occasion. You might be able to nurse this one all Dry January long.
Stock up for Dry January at High Street
Whether you’re building your stash ahead of Dry January or popping in during the big month, the friendly staff at High Street Dispensary in Hackettstown is here for you. Come on by for product recommendations or just a pep talk! Or, if you don’t have enough time to shop in person, we’ve got you covered with online-order ahead, drive-thru pickup, and delivery. Browse our menu now to take a huge first step in going Cali sober.
