Is Marijuana safer than Alcohol?

Most of the Americans believe that alcohol is more dangerous to a person's health and to society in general than marijuana, according to a study conducted, when asked whether marijuana or alcohol would be more harmful to personal health, if marijuana were as widely available as alcohol, 69 percent of Americans said alcohol is more dangerous, while only 15 percent said that marijuana is more dangerous. Fourteen percent said both or neither are more dangerous.

The scenario
Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. It's legal for those 21 and older. Only about 22% of adult women and 11% of adult men are lifetime alcohol abstainers.

Marijuana, on the other hand, is classified by the Drug Enforcement Agency as a Schedule 1 substance -- the same category as heroin, LSD and Ecstasy -- and is illegal in almost all states for recreational use. As such, comprehensive data on the drug's use and misuse in the United States is limited.

Marijuana vs. AlcoholThe health impact of any drug depends on how it's used, who's using it, how much is used, and under what circumstances. Marijuana and alcohol are no exception, so comparing them directly is difficult — each possesses the potential for unique risks or benefits.

Is marijuana safer than alcohol, or vice versa? Each substance has different effects on the body. Here's how the two compare. In most cases, these effects have been studied in heavy, chronic smokers and drinkers, not occasional users.

For instance, alcohol is known to contribute to liver disease, but studies also suggest that a glass of red wine a couple of times per week can help keep your heart healthy. Similarly, marijuana is known to cause short-term cognitive impairment (trouble thinking clearly), but for certain medical conditions, such as glaucoma, marijuana possesses therapeutic properties.

On the other hand, people using marijuana or alcohol with the intention of getting high or drunk are more likely to experience the better-known negative consequences of these drugs. Alcohol use may contribute to memory loss; impaired judgment; academic, relationship, or work problems; along with long-term impacts like liver disease, heart disease, peptic ulcers, and physical dependency. Marijuana use may contribute to problems thinking clearly, memory loss, cognative deficiencies, dependency, and (if smoked) smoking-related health problems, such as throat and lung cancer and respiratory problems. Furthermore, both alcohol and marijuana are thought to contribute to mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety.

One major difference worth noting is that it isn't possible to ingest a fatal dose of THC (the active compound in marijuana) from smoking or eating marijuana. On the flip side, lots of alcohol in a brief period of time can lead to alcohol poisoning, an emergency medical condition that can be fatal.

Aside from direct health effects, getting behind the wheel while drunk or high poses significant risks to you and others. Marijuana and alcohol have both been shown to significantly reduce reaction ability, focus, and motor coordination; skills that are essential to safely operate a motor vehicle. In fact, many activities, such as playing a sport or even riding the subway, become dangerous when drunk or high. In general, being drunk or high compromises sound judgment and may lead to unhealthy or risky decisions that you wouldn't make when sober (like unprotected sex).

In short, used moderately (in the case of alcohol) and/or under the direction of a physician (in places where medical marijuana is legal), these substances may have positive health effects. But as is often the case, heavy use can lead to heavy health risks. So be careful and stay healthy.