Weed Is Not More Dangerous Than Alcohol
Here’s something most people don’t know about marijuana: the U.S. federal government classifies it as a Schedule 1 drug, the strictest classification available. This means they consider marijuana more dangerous than Schedule 2 drugs such as cocaine or meth, placing it alongside heroin. In 2010, about 3,000 people died from heroin overdoses. So, how many people died directly from overdosing on marijuana? Zero. And not just in 2010—zero in recorded human history. While smoking excessive amounts of pot isn’t advisable, it’s important to note this distinction.
Alcohol, on the other hand, is notably more harmful. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report 88,000 deaths each year due to alcohol, with about 25,000 resulting from direct overdoses. A study from Columbia University found that being drunk increases the risk of a fatal accident 13-fold, while marijuana increases that risk by less than 2-fold. Alcohol contributes to violence, crime, addiction, and serious health issues like cancer and liver failure.
Prohibition existed for a reason; alcohol was a major scourge during that time. The question with legal marijuana is whether it will serve as a replacement for alcohol or merely complement it. If it replaces alcohol, it could lead to fewer deaths from intoxication and related issues. However, if it encourages increased alcohol consumption, the problem might worsen.
While early evidence is promising—41% of Canadian medical marijuana users reported replacing alcohol with marijuana, and another California survey showed lower alcohol consumption among medical users—the long-term effects remain uncertain. Public policy could guide users toward the safer option, but current federal classification of marijuana overlooks its potential benefits and safety.
FAQ
How many people die from marijuana overdoses?
Zero people have died from overdosing on marijuana in recorded history.
What are the health risks associated with alcohol?
Alcohol is linked to 88,000 deaths annually, contributing to addiction, violence, and various health issues like liver failure.
Could legalizing marijuana reduce alcohol consumption?
Early evidence suggests that legal marijuana may act as replacement foralcohol for some users, potentially leading to fewer alcohol-related deaths and incidents.
