Marijuana VS Alcohol: Science Explains Which One Is A Greater Threat

By Abbie Kraft,

Students drink beer and smoke marijuana at their hotel in South Padre Island, Texas March 18, 2001 during the annual rite of Spring Break. Some 125,000 revelers, mostly college students on a break from classes, descend on the Texas beach each year for an alcohol-soaked week of sun, sand and partying.

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Marijuana has been a controversial topic when it comes to the law and health care. It is often perceived as a gate way drug, thus most professionals would prohibit its legalization. As of the latest research however, it was noted that alcohol is far more dangerous than marijuana.

A scientist gathered numerous charts pointing out the lethal efeects of marijuana VS alcohol. In a data gathered by the Baker Institute for Public Policy from the Rice University, it was revealed that it is untrue when one would refer to marijuana as a gateway drug as mentioned in Metro.

William Martin, the director of the Drug Policy Program from Baker Institute explained the Brian C Bennett Drug charts trace, where it shows the drug consumption pattern for more than 40 years.

Martin noted that more than half of the respondents who participated on the study revealed that most of them were not hooked. it was then mentioned that only few subjects progressed to more lethal drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, but those who consumed alcohol however caused more damage (personally and socially) than those who smokes marijuana.

"Marijuana's reputation as a "gateway" drug is not supported, even for more marijuana use. More than half of respondents under 60 have used it during their lifetime, but fewer than 10 percent use it regularly," Martin then added stating, "Far fewer people progress to harder drugs.

Current monthly use of cocaine is 0.6 percent; for heroin and methamphetamines, only 0.2 percent. Alcohol causes far more personal and social damage than any other drug. Illegal drugs comprise less than 20 percent of substance-use disorders in the U.S."

CBS then added that both substances are ideal to be used and consumed, but it was noted that alcohol is far more dangerous than marijuana. Dr Aaron Caroll, a pediatrician from Indiana University School of Medicine stated that both marijuana and alcohol should not be consumed by teens, the doctor noted that marijuana is way safer than alcohol.