Lena Savoie
Marijuana and alcohol are two of the most commonly used substances in the United States, with the former rapidly gaining acceptance among Americans. Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug, with about half of US adults having used it, and 15% having used it in 2017 according to the federal government's National Survey on Drug Use and Health. While marijuana use has become more socially acceptable, there is a growing debate about whether it is more dangerous than alcohol. This paragraph will explore Americans' perceptions of the dangers of marijuana and alcohol and how they compare.
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What You'll Learn
Americans' views on marijuana vs alcohol
While marijuana remains a Schedule I drug in the US, public opinion on its dangers compared to alcohol is changing. A 2022 Gallup poll found that 68% of Americans support the legalisation of marijuana, with 53% saying it has a positive effect on people and 49% saying it has a positive effect on society. By contrast, 75% said alcohol negatively affects society and 71% said it has a negative effect on those who consume it.
A survey by American Addiction Centers found that more than half of respondents would choose marijuana over alcohol if only one could be legal. Sixty-two per cent of people who didn't use marijuana would choose to make alcohol legal, while nearly two-thirds of marijuana users would choose to make marijuana legal. The survey also found that people considered alcohol to be closer to "moderately dangerous" than marijuana, which was seen as somewhere between "not very dangerous" and "somewhat dangerous".
Despite the growing acceptance of marijuana, there are concerns about its dangers. The THC content of marijuana has increased significantly in recent years, with marijuana today routinely containing 20-25% THC. THC is the chemical responsible for the drug's psychoactive effects, and high levels of THC can cause paranoia, even in casual users. In people with psychotic disorders, paranoia can fuel extreme violence. A 2007 paper in the Medical Journal of Australia found that out of 88 defendants who had committed homicide during psychotic episodes, almost two-thirds reported misusing cannabis—more than alcohol and amphetamines combined.
Marijuana is also the most commonly detected drug in drivers involved in car accidents after alcohol. One study found that marijuana increased the odds of being in a car accident by 83%, while alcohol increased the odds by more than 2,200%. However, field sobriety tests have a harder time picking up traces of marijuana and THC compared to alcohol.
In terms of substance misuse and addiction, public opinion is again divided. While many respondents in the American Addiction Centers survey expressed concerns about the addictive properties of alcohol, research shows that marijuana use disorders are associated with dependence and withdrawal. However, the social stigma associated with marijuana use is worse than with drinking alcohol.
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Marijuana's impact on mental health
Marijuana use has been linked to various mental health effects, with research indicating both positive and negative impacts. Here is an exploration of the various ways marijuana impacts mental health:
Psychosis and Paranoia: Marijuana use has been consistently associated with an increased risk of psychosis, including hallucinations and paranoia. Studies have found that cannabis use can trigger psychotic episodes, particularly in individuals with pre-existing psychotic disorders. The risk of paranoia is well-known, even among marijuana advocates, and dispensaries often advertise certain strains as less likely to induce it. Research has also shown a link between marijuana use and schizophrenia, a type of psychotic disorder. The association is stronger in individuals with a personal or family history of mental health issues and those who start using cannabis at an early age.
Bipolar Disorder and Suicide: Regular and near-daily cannabis use has been linked to an increased risk of developing psychotic disorders, including bipolar disorder. Heavy cannabis users are more likely to report thoughts of suicide than non-users.
Cognitive Decline: Long-term marijuana use has been associated with memory loss and cognitive decline. The impact on cognition includes impaired learning and memory tasks, with THC, the potent chemical in marijuana, affecting memory and cognitive functions.
Anxiety and Depression: Research on the association between cannabis use and anxiety and depression has yielded mixed results. Some studies suggest a positive association, indicating that individuals with anxiety are more likely to use or become dependent on cannabis. On the other hand, other studies suggest that cannabis use does not increase the likelihood of developing anxiety or depression.
Violence: Marijuana has been linked to an increased risk of violence, particularly in individuals with psychotic disorders. While alcohol has been extensively studied in relation to violence, marijuana's link to violence is also significant, especially considering the increased potency of THC in modern marijuana.
Addiction and Withdrawal: Marijuana use can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms. While it may not be as addictive as alcohol, research indicates that marijuana use disorders are associated with dependence, and discontinuing use can result in irritability, tiredness, restlessness, and physical discomfort.
While marijuana's impact on mental health presents a complex picture, it is clear that it can have significant effects on various aspects of mental health and well-being. The growing acceptance and legalization of marijuana in the US highlight the importance of understanding its full range of effects on individuals and society.
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Alcohol's impact on mental health
According to a survey by American Addiction Centers, most people would opt to make marijuana legal if they had to choose between that and alcohol. The survey also revealed that 62% of people who didn't use marijuana would choose to legalise alcohol, while 66% of marijuana users would choose to legalise the drug. This is despite the fact that cannabis use has been linked to paranoia, which can fuel extreme violence in people with psychotic disorders.
On the other hand, alcohol has a more direct impact on mental health. Alcohol affects the brain's neurotransmitters, GABA and glutamate, which work in opposite ways. While low levels of alcohol can make one feel calmer due to the increased effect of GABA, alcohol decreases the effect of glutamate, making one feel less alert. Alcohol also reduces the body's ability to absorb essential vitamins and nutrients like thiamine and magnesium, which are crucial for brain function.
Long-term alcohol misuse increases the risk of severe health issues, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, liver disease, and cancer. These physical health problems can, in turn, affect one's mental health. Alcohol problems and mental health issues are closely linked, with research showing that people who drink are more likely to develop mental health problems, and vice versa. Regular heavy drinking is linked to symptoms of depression, and those with pre-existing mental health issues may find that drinking alcohol exacerbates their condition. Alcohol can also increase the risk of self-harm and suicide, as it lowers inhibitions and makes one act more impulsively.
Additionally, alcohol use disorder (AUD) often co-occurs with other mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, trauma and stress-related disorders, and substance use disorders. The likelihood of recovery from both conditions is higher if they are treated together.
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Marijuana and driving
While public perception of marijuana is becoming increasingly positive, with many US states legalising its recreational use, the drug still presents serious risks. Marijuana use has been linked to paranoia, psychosis, and violence, with psychiatrists and epidemiologists warning that it is more dangerous than most people realise.
One of the key risks associated with marijuana use is driving under the influence of the drug. Despite the legalisation of marijuana in many states, driving while high is still illegal and presents a significant danger to public safety. Studies have shown that marijuana can slow reaction times, impair judgment of distance, and decrease coordination, all of which are essential when operating a vehicle. These impairments have been linked to an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, with marijuana metabolites commonly found in the urine drug screens of injured drivers.
The effects of marijuana on driving performance have been the subject of much research. Driver simulations and on-road driving assessments have consistently shown variable degrees of impairment, with participants refusing to drive after consuming marijuana due to a significant feeling of intoxication. "Road sign testing", which measures visual processing and short-term memory, has also revealed significant differences in performance between placebo and marijuana groups.
Public education campaigns, such as the NHTSA and Ad Council's "If You Feel Different, You Drive Different" initiative, aim to change the cultural conversation around driving under the influence of marijuana, making it as socially unacceptable as drunk driving. While social stigma surrounding marijuana use may be decreasing, the dangers of driving while high remain a critical concern, with the potential to cause serious harm to both the user and the public.
Overall, while marijuana use may be becoming more socially acceptable, the risks associated with driving under its influence are significant and well-documented. It is crucial that individuals understand the dangers of driving while impaired by any substance, including marijuana, and take steps to ensure their own and others' safety on the road.
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Alcohol and driving
While public opinion is divided on whether marijuana or alcohol is more dangerous, with some sources claiming that a majority of Americans consider alcohol to be more dangerous than marijuana, it is clear that both substances pose significant risks when it comes to driving.
Alcohol impairs one's ability to drive safely. As alcohol levels rise in a person's system, the negative effects on the central nervous system increase, impairing body movement and coordination. This can lead to slower reflexes, blurred vision, and impaired judgment, all of which can increase the risk of a car accident. The impact of alcohol on driving ability is measured by the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), which is the ratio of alcohol to blood in the body. The higher a person's BAC, the more impaired their ability to drive becomes. While the legal limit for driving under the influence varies slightly by state, it is generally set at a BAC of 0.08 in the United States. However, even at lower BAC levels, such as 0.02, impairment can occur, and the risk of a crash increases exponentially. In 2023, there were 2,117 people killed in alcohol-related crashes where the driver had a BAC between 0.01 and 0.07, highlighting the danger even when drivers are not legally intoxicated.
Age and gender also play a role in alcohol-related crashes. Men are more likely to be involved in drunk driving crashes, with four male drunk drivers for every female drunk driver. Younger drivers are also at risk, with almost one-third of young drivers killed in crashes involving underage drinking. To address this issue, all states have adopted a minimum legal drinking age of 21.
Marijuana and Driving
While marijuana is often perceived as less dangerous than alcohol, it can still impair driving ability. Marijuana can alter moods, impair body movement, and cause hallucinations, all of which can impact driving performance. Studies have found that marijuana increases the odds of being in a car accident by 83%. However, it is important to note that field sobriety tests may have a harder time detecting marijuana impairment compared to alcohol impairment.
Combined Effects
When both alcohol and marijuana are consumed together, the risk of a fatal car accident increases significantly. The combined effects of the substances can lead to even greater impairment of judgment, coordination, and reaction time, making driving extremely dangerous. Therefore, it is essential to refrain from driving under the influence of either substance, as both can have serious consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
Americans view marijuana much more favourably than alcohol. A recent Gallup poll found that 53% of Americans said marijuana use has a positive effect on people, while just 45% said it has a negative effect. In the same poll, 75% said alcohol negatively affects society, and 71% said it has a negative effect on those who consume it.
64% of Americans think that regular alcohol use is more harmful to a person's health than regular marijuana use. 53% say that both alcohol and tobacco are more harmful.
Marijuana has been linked to paranoia, which can fuel extreme violence in people with psychotic disorders. It can also cause altered moods, impaired body movement, hallucinations, memory loss, and cognitive decline. Alcohol is a known risk factor for domestic abuse, assault, and even murder. It can also lead to fatal car accidents and has been associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) when consumed during pregnancy.
