So How Does Cannabis Stack Up Against Alcohol and Other Drugs?

2009.05.03

Many people have heard variations of the argument as to whether marijuana is better or worse for you compared to alcohol and other types of drugs. Obviously, the majorities of people that think cannabis use is less harmful are probably smokers themselves, or had been at one time or another. Mind you, I’m sure that drinkers and cigarette smokers think the same thing about their indulgence.

It’s not always an easy question to answer because the body reacts to each substance in substantially different ways. For instance if you compare just weed to alcohol and tobacco, all three have there own individual negative side effects. Both tobacco and cannabis can cause serious damage to your lungs and you make you more susceptible to lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, whereas prolonged alcohol use may affect the liver and other vital organs.

Some grass users have experienced cognitive issues, memory loss, and in rare cases have had mental health problems yet those who smoke cigarettes rarely have these issues. There have been many cases of people who have died due to alcohol poising which is caused by drinking excessive amounts of booze, yet there has never been a scientifically proven case of anybody ever overdosing from smoking pot regularly.
 
THE LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS
Harder drugs such as heroin, cocaine, speed etc… have there own negative characteristics and can be far more addictive than cannabis and alcohol, as well as can cause more severe medical problems. In addition, the public’s perception and opinion of these types of narcotics is far worse than hash, and the laws surrounding the sale and usage of them are far stricter.

Years ago during prohibition, the sale of alcohol, its transportation and its consumption was deemed illegal in the United States when the government enacted the bill known as the Volstead act 1919. It wasn’t until 1933 that president Franklin Roosevelt overturned this decision allowing certain kinds of alcohol to be manufactured and sold to the public. Today alcohol is legal in most countries once you reach a certain age but is normally restricted to certain areas, licensed establishments and your own residence. The government mind you, has set legal limits on how much you can drink in a public place and when operating any type of motorized vehicle. This is huge problem worldwide because driving while impaired is one of the biggest causes of vehicular deaths Marijuana is illegal in most countries except when prescribed for a medical condition and used to be classed along the same lines of the much harder drugs available on the street.

Many scientific studies have been conducted on cannabis and the results vary. With this being said many governments have lessened the penalties for simple possession of marijuana in small quantities for personal use. Many believe the medical benefits of its use outweigh the negative aspects and occasional side effects, and should be legalized entirely. There are those even in law enforcement who believe too much time and money is wasted by enforcing laws about casual marijuana use.
The bottom line is this, abusing any type of drug or alcohol can be detrimental to your health!