Due to the fact that cannabis got its legal status much after alcohol, people still have this conception in their minds that alcohol is safer than cannabis. Until recently, almost every anti-drug advertisement showed weed in the darkest light possible. Most of them showed their effects with a lot of exaggeration and lies. Others related the plant to some very abnormal behavior. But no matter what path these ads took, they only wanted cannabis to look like a danger.
On the other hand, no such measures were taken for alcohol. Though there were some ads about alcoholism, most of them showcased alcohol as something very normal. These ads usually contained images of adventures and parties. And mostly, they ended with just an advisory note saying “Drink Responsibly.”
Though we still believe that weed is more dangerous, facts differ. A lot of medical marijuana doctors online and offline claim that weed nor was and never will be more dangerous than alcohol. Here’s why.
Number of Deaths
Yes, we are starting with something very dark here. But death is, obviously, the biggest indicator of danger.
According to a recent report, alcohol claims an average of 3 million lives worldwide every year. This number includes strokes and cancer victims due to the alcohol overuse, deaths due to alcohol poisoning, and many more.
On the other hand, the number of deaths due to marijuana is almost zero. Yes, there are a few cases of deaths due to driving under the influence. But drunk driving, by comparison, is still much more prevalent.
Overdosage
According to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on average, six people die from alcohol poisoning in the United States every day. More than 50,000 people in the US are diagnosed with this condition every year.
But do you know how many lives marijuana overdose usually takes in a year? Zero. You’ll have to smoke an average of 500 to 600 joints to reach there. Do you think you can do that?
Chronic Disease
Excessive and long-term use of alcohol may lead to colon cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, epilepsy, and many more chronic ailments. Marijuana also has its own list. But it’s mostly related to the lungs or a few psychotic episodes in some severe cases. But the chances of this are very rare. Plus, alcohol also is responsible for some psychotic episodes in many cases. Overall, people are far more prone to one or another type of chronic illness with the use of alcohol as compared to weed.
Medical Usage
This is a very big advantage weed possesses over alcohol. Apart from its general therapeutic properties, marijuana also has the ability to help people with conditions like nausea and chronic pain. And that’s why many medical marijuana doctors online and offline prescribe medical cannabis to the patients suffering from these and many other conditions. Did your doctor ever prescribe you with wine? Exactly my point.
Violence
When you smoke marijuana, generally, you are not left with the energy or will to commit any violent crime. You just don’t feel like so.
According to a study by the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, weed is rarely responsible for any violence or assault. On the other hand, the research pointed out that out of all hospitalized cases, more than 35% of assaults and 20% of injuries are associated with alcohol usage. So, is it “safer” now? We don’t think so.
Alcohol has this image of safe substance due to the long-lived perception that we have in our minds. But due to the reasons mentioned above, and many others, cannabis claims a big advantage over alcohol.
Do you still think alcohol is safer than cannabis?
