What Is California Sober? Plus What Experts Think About It

Thanks to increased legality in the United States with 24 states now allowing recreational use, cannabis consumption is on the rise. According to one 2024 study that charted use from 1992 to 2022, daily or near-daily cannabis use among respondents went up 15-fold. Though more people report that they drink alcohol, fewer imbibe daily than folks who use cannabis. 

And with more people relying on it in their quotidian lives, doctors are seeing an increasing number swear off other substances but making cannabis part of their routines. This trend is known as “California Sober,” a term coined in a 2019 article on the website, Vice. It was further popularized with a song by that name released by artist Demi Lovato in 2021. Two years later, Billy Strings collaborated with cannabis legend Willie Nelson on another anthem called “California Sober.” We know it’s a trend, but how could it impact your body? 

What Is California Sober?

Adam Abodeely, M.D., M.B.A., FACS, FASCRS, practices surgery at Adirondack Health in New York, but is also CEO and founder of a holistic retreat, Coral Cove Wellness Resort in Jamaica, and a cannabinoid specialist. He regards cannabis as “a tool for general wellness.” In that role, he helps patients to incorporate cannabis into their lifestyles.

Though he admits that he occasionally partakes in alcoholic beverages, he explains that they are Group 1 carcinogens and some research suggests that no amount of alcohol is beneficial to health. “If alcohol was just discovered today and we tried to bring it to market as something that people could drink for its intoxicating purposes, it would probably not pass regulatory authority,” he says. That’s because of its science-backed negative health effects that range from cancer risk to heart disease.

That’s not to say that cannabis use doesn’t come with risks of its own. But can those benefits outweigh the potential pitfalls? First, there’s knowing how much is too much. Abodeely recommends 5 to 15 milligrams of THC daily as a safe dosage. However, cannabis tolerance is highly individual, so be sure to check with your health care team for individualized advice before trying it. 

Potential Benefits

It Can Help With Pain Management

Medical cannabis protocols have their roots in cancer treatment, and today it is used to help people with a variety of reasons for chronic pain. In fact, its results have been compared favorably to those of opioids, with fewer serious side effects. “Cannabis can be a great alternative to opioids,” asserts Abodeely.

In terms of cancer treatment, it also has a great reputation for helping with nausea associated with chemotherapy. By extension, it also can make users hungrier, which can be beneficial for those who may have reduced appetite or difficulty consuming enough calories to support recovery.

It May Help With IBS

It’s been demonstrated that those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be able to minimize their symptoms by using cannabis, with one study noting a reduction in healthcare utilization by sufferers who try it.

“I have a lot of patients with irritable bowel syndrome,” says Abodeely. “Cannabis can act as an intestinal relaxant for them, decreasing the amount of abdominal pain they have and decreasing the amount of irritability.”

It Can Make You More Relaxed

Cannabinoids are known for helping users lower stress levels, and it’s been supported by some science. That’s true of CBD, which achieves a significant response in as little as a week of treatment, as well as THC. One Canadian study found that the latter might have beneficial effects on both anxiety and depression.

Just know that some strains can also cause you to become anxious. Everyone experiences cannabis differently, so be sure consult your healthcare teamf or advice. Some research suggests that certain compounds like the terpene D-limonene, it may help mitigate that issue.

Cons to Consider 

There’s a Possibility of Addiction

“The main thing we want to be cognizant of is that, just like anything else, there is a risk of addiction and making sure that people aren’t having escalating doses or that it’s not interfering with their life, their jobs or their family interactions,” says Abodeely. 

And if you’ve heard that cannabis is a gateway drug, there is some research to support that as well. Some researchers have found in animal models that it can indeed cause drug use disorders beyond cannabis. But others think it could be just the opposite—a “reverse gateway.”

Abodeely also cautions that those who abuse alcohol that are considering going California sober may be at a higher risk of abusing cannabis as well. 

It Can Trigger a Mental Health Episode

Abodeely warns that those with a family history of psychosis may want to tread lightly or avoid cannabis altogether. “There is a chance that there’s an increased risk that it could trigger a psychotic event,” he says. “People have to be aware about the intoxicating effects—especially if they have any sort of psychiatric history that might be triggered by the use of substances.”

Another thing to be aware of in your medical history? Heart conditions. Because cannabis can temporarily raise your heart rate or blood pressure, it could be harmful to people with existing coronary issues. 

Cannabinoids Are Still Intoxicating

Think you can consume an edible, then drive to meet your friends for dinner? Think again. “People have to be responsible,” Abodeely explains. “Just like if somebody drinks too much alcohol and they might not be sober enough to drive, cannabis is the same thing. People shouldn’t consume cannabis and then get behind the wheel of a car, operate heavy machinery or make any important decisions, the same way they shouldn’t if they were drinking alcohol.”

Other Considerations

This may sound obvious, but are you sure that cannabis is legal where you live? Some folks may be eligible for a medical cannabis card in 39 of the 50 states, but it’s only available without one in 24 states. If you’re planning on using cannabis, it’s better safe than sorry when it comes to checking local laws.

The same goes for consulting with your doctor whether a California Sober lifestyle is right for you. For one thing, Abodeely says that he generally counsels his patients that when consuming cannabis, it’s healthier not to smoke it. He recommends consuming edibles or tinctures, though he also points out that non-combustible vaporization is an option for people who like to inhale their cannabis. 

The Bottom Line

California Sober can be part of a healthy lifestyle, if you’re aware of the risks. And the term “lifestyle” can’t be overstated. Abodeely points out that the best way to use cannabis doesn’t fit squarely in the two categories of “medicinal” or “recreational.” When we have tea or coffee in the morning for a little boost, it’s not to treat a disease or have fun, it’s somewhere in between, he argues. 

“You might be taking cannabis because it kinda helps you relax to go to sleep at night the same way someone would take a lavender or a chamomile supplement at night before they go to bed,” he posits. “So you can see how they’re not using it to treat a disease and they’re certainly not using it for a recreational purpose. What I believe is it’s possible to use cannabis in this wellness-adjunct way for their lifestyle.”