IMO No.8: Shots or Joints? Let’s Talk About the Better Buzz
CYA Disclaimer: This Is Not Medical Advice (But It Is Pretty Sound Life Advice)
This article is intended for entertainment, education, and the occasional raised eyebrow. We are not doctors, life coaches, or your mom — although, let’s be honest, she probably prefers the joint too. Please consult a medical professional before mixing substances, lighting up, or trying to relive your college glory days. And definitely don’t car surf. Ever.
Let’s get right to it: alcohol and cannabis are the two reigning champs of casual substance use, especially in the context of socializing. Whether you're clinking glasses at a wedding or lighting a joint at a backyard hang, these two buzzes dominate the adult get-together scene. But what if we set aside tradition, marketing, and the lingering scent of frat house nostalgia, and actually asked: which one delivers the better vibe? Which substance truly elevates the night — without sending you sprinting toward regret the next morning?
In this corner, we have Alcohol — the OG of social lubrication, celebrated in every culture, legal almost everywhere, and basically the default for “having a good time.”
And in the other corner: Cannabis — once demonized, now decriminalized (mostly), and finally stepping into the light as a worthy — dare I say better — alternative.
So let’s do this: shots vs. joints, pints vs. pre-rolls, negronis vs. nuggs. We’re comparing the two on three essential fronts: the buzz, the social vibe, and the aftermath.
Round One: The Buzz
Let’s talk about what these two actually do to your brain.
Alcohol hits fast, especially if you're sipping something strong on an empty stomach. There’s the initial glow — inhibitions drop, confidence rises, voices get louder. For a moment, you’re funnier, hotter, and a better dancer. But as the drinks pile up, that warm glow can take a sharp left turn into slurred speech, emotional swings, poor decisions, and a general loss of coordination.
Cannabis, on the other hand, is a slower burn — especially with edibles or lower-THC flower. Depending on the strain, it can enhance sensory perception, melt anxiety, and spark creativity. People report a body high, a mental float, giggles, introspection, and deep conversation — sometimes all in the same hour. You don’t get braver, necessarily, but you do get present.
And here’s the kicker: the cannabis buzz can be curated. Want a gentle mood lift without couch lock? There’s a strain for that. Want to feel cozy and calm while still able to mingle? There’s a product for that too. Alcohol doesn’t offer that kind of nuance. It's a blunt instrument. Cannabis is a dial.
Winner: Cannabis — because being in control of your own buzz is the ultimate power move.
Round Two: The Social Vibe
Alcohol is the classic wingman. It's woven into the ritual of socializing — first dates, office parties, concerts, weddings. It helps break the ice, sure, but often by dulling inhibition rather than fostering real connection. It can make you the life of the party… or the reason someone quietly leaves it.
Alcohol tends to amplify energy in all directions: joy gets louder, but so does anger, jealousy, and that one ex who suddenly needs to call you at 2 a.m. You might be the best version of yourself for an hour or two, but there’s a cliff after that, and we’ve all seen what happens when someone goes over it.
Now enter cannabis. The vibe here is different — less about performing and more about experiencing. Cannabis doesn’t shout. It doesn’t demand the room. Instead, it invites you in: to share stories, music, flavors, ideas. It softens the edges of social interaction without masking who you are. And unlike alcohol, cannabis rarely leads to fights or drama. You don't hear about people getting in bar brawls over a bowl of Blue Dream.
At a cannabis-forward gathering, you’ll see more blankets and fairy lights than body shots and beer pong. The music is usually better. People are more likely to ask how you really are and actually wait for your answer.
And Snoop says it best right here. In just a few seconds of legendary wisdom, he breaks it down: alcohol makes you sloppy, cannabis makes you smooth. It's like a TED Talk, but with better delivery and way more street cred. One puff, and the vibe just shifts. Calm. Connected. Chill.
Quick Intermission: Drunk vs. High — The Dumb Deeds Showdown
What’s the dumbest thing you (or someone you know) has done while drunk? Car surfing at 100+ mph? Karaoke in a foreign language you don’t speak? Falling asleep in the wrong Uber? Punching a street sign because “it looked smug”? Drunk brains are like raccoons with car keys — dangerous and wildly overconfident.
Now contrast that with cannabis. What's the worst thing you've done high? Drove to slow and ate too much? Accidentally watched Planet Earth for four hours? Spaced out in the cereal aisle for so long you forgot what you came for? A little embarrassing, maybe — but not exactly the stuff of legal trouble or medical emergencies.
Winner: Cannabis — because connection beats chaos, and “deep talk” beats “drunk talk” every time.
Round Three: The Aftermath
This one’s easy.
Alcohol hangovers are the stuff of legend: pounding headaches, dry mouth, nausea, regret, and the kind of fatigue that makes you question all your life choices. And that’s if you're lucky. Add in the potential for blackouts, risky behavior, DUIs, and alcohol poisoning, and the aftermath becomes more than inconvenient — it can be downright dangerous.
Cannabis hangovers are a different animal. In most cases, they’re mild to non-existent. Maybe you feel a little foggy the next morning or sleep in an extra hour. But you’re not hugging the toilet, you’re not piecing together shame-filled text messages, and you’re not wondering how you ended up with a parking ticket, a sunburn, and an unexplained limp.
Cannabis doesn’t just not wreck your body — it often helps it recover. Many people report better sleep, reduced anxiety, pain relief, and even boosted creativity the next day. Plus, unlike alcohol, cannabis has no calories and doesn’t bloat you like a night of beers and bar food.
Winner: Cannabis — no contest.
Honorable Mentions (a.k.a. The Fine Print)
Yes, alcohol has its moments — a glass of wine at a nice dinner, a celebratory champagne toast, a cold beer at a ballgame. And yes, cannabis isn’t perfect. Not every high is euphoric, and newbies can overdo it if they’re not careful.
But here’s the thing: cannabis invites intentionality. It asks you to think about dosage, set, and setting. It rewards moderation. Alcohol, meanwhile, almost dares you to overindulge.
And socially? Cannabis is still the underdog, but that’s quickly changing. As legalization spreads and the stigma fades, more people are exploring it not as a wild escape, but as a thoughtful enhancement — a way to tune in, not tune out.
It’s not about judging people who drink — it’s about giving people an option that might serve them better.
Final Verdict
So, shots or joints?
If you want a chaotic, bloated, sometimes regrettable evening — sure, go for the shots. But if you’re into meaningful connection, creativity, laughter, a gentle lift, and waking up the next day feeling like yourself (or maybe even better)?
Joints all day.
Cannabis comes out calmer, clearer, and less chaotic. And in this age of noise, polarization, and pressure, that kind of clarity isn’t just a better buzz — it might be the one we actually need.
In my opinion?
Shots had a good run. But it’s cannabis season now.
Coming Up Next…
IMO No.9: Let’s Talk Numbers – Weed Is Cheaper Than Booze
Ever wonder how your Friday night tab stacks up with joints versus gin? In our next article, we follow the money — and spoiler alert: cannabis wins again, and your wallet will thank you.
