3. Across NSLC stores that sold only alcohol, total monthly sales averaged roughly $800K ⬇️ lower than before legalization. But across those that began selling cannabis, monthly alcohol sales instead totaled $300K ⬆️ higher! Differences were bigger for 🍺 beers & coolers than 🍷 wines or spirits.
4. The differences persisted when considering similarly-sized shops, or the proximity of cannabis sellers to alcohol-only shops. The combination of sales drops & gains might reflect a mix of substitution, co-use, & store-switching by consumers.
5. Overall, it seems cannabis legalization had only slight initial impacts on alcohol use in Nova Scotia. Thanks to NSLC for sharing its sales data, and to Lisa Ferrantelli & Skander Lazrak for their help!