How Ozempic And Legal Weed Are Changing What America Eats

The rise of appetite-suppressing drugs like Ozempic is changing the way Americans eat, but there's a twist: cannabis legalization is pulling consumer behavior in the opposite direction. Bloomberg's Prognosis newsletter recently dug into this fascinating interplay, highlighting how these two trends are reshaping the food industry and public health.

The Ozempic Effect: Appetite On Pause

Ozempic, Wegovy and other GLP-1 agonists have become household names for their remarkable ability to help people shed pounds. These drugs don't just curb appetite, they're also influencing what people buy. According to a Morgan Stanley report, households using GLP-1 drugs have cut their spending on snacks, pastries and ice cream by 6% to 9%. Meanwhile, healthier options like yogurt and vegetable snacks are seeing a boost, as companies like Danone DANOY and Nestlé adjust their product lines to meet demand.

Novo Nordisk A/S NVO, maker of Ozempic, has even received calls from food industry leaders worried about the drug's impact. And they have reason to be concerned: Walmart WMT has reported that households with GLP-1 users are buying less food overall. As the popularity of these drugs grows, with the market projected to hit $100 billion by 2030, the ripple effects are only just beginning.

Cannabis Legalization: The Munchies Are Big Business

On the flip side, marijuana legalization is sparking a very different trend. With recreational cannabis now legal in 24 states, the infamous “munchies” are giving a major boost to junk food sales. Researchers from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that grocery spending on snacks, cookies and candy jumped nearly 9% in states that legalized recreational marijuana.

A Collision Of Cultural Forces

These two trends – Ozempic's appetite-suppressing revolution and cannabis' munchies-driven consumption – paint a complex picture of American eating habits. On one side, GLP-1 drugs are helping people slim down and rethink their diets. On the other, marijuana legalization is encouraging indulgence, particularly in the form of high-calorie comfort foods.

Companies are scrambling to adapt. Nestlé and Conagra CAG, for instance, are launching new products designed to appeal to both GLP-1 users and cannabis consumers. Think high-protein, portion-controlled frozen meals that cater to health-conscious shoppers, alongside indulgent snacks that satisfy the munchies. It's a balancing act and a testament to the food industry's ability to pivot with the times.

The Bigger Picture: Health And Economics

Cannabis legalization has brought tangible economic benefits, including increased GDP, job creation and tax revenue for states where it's legal. For example, Colorado and California have reported billions in tax revenue since legalization. Moreover, cannabis policies have helped reduce arrests and shifted law enforcement resources toward other priorities, fostering a growing legal industry that has supported local economies.

At the same time, public health challenges remain. Research indicates mixed outcomes. While substance use and dependency have increased slightly in some states, other studies highlight a decrease in opioid-related deaths and alcohol consumption, suggesting cannabis can serve as a harm-reduction tool.

Meanwhile, GLP-1 drugs present their own set of challenges. While they offer a promising tool in combating obesity, their rapid adoption is forcing industries reliant on indulgent eating, from fast food to snacks, to rethink their strategies. Questions about the long-term effects of these drugs and their impact on consumer behavior remain unanswered.

What's Next?

The intersection of Ozempic's appetite suppression and cannabis's munchies effect highlights the complexity of consumer trends in the U.S. Will GLP-1 drugs lead to healthier lifestyles, or will the munchies win out? For now, it's clear that both trends are reshaping industries and pushing companies to innovate like never before.

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