Safer Than Alcohol


Marijuana is less harmful than alcohol.

By virtually every objective measure, scientific research shows that marijuana is safer than alcohol. Adults should not be punished for consuming the safer substance, if that is what they prefer. Preliminary research indicates that a significant number of alcohol consumers may drink less if marijuana is legalized.

Does use contribute to...

No. There is no evidence that marijuana has ever caused a fatal overdose.

lethal doses?

Yes. According to CDC, alcohol poisoning causes more than 1,600 deaths each year in the U.S.

No. There is no evidence that marijuana significantly contributes to accidental injuries. Interestingly, some research has found that marijuana correlates with a decreased risk of injury.

injuries?

Yes. Research published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that 21% of all injuries are attributable to alcohol use by the injured person.

No. There is no evidence that marijuana causes aggressive behavior. In fact, a 2014 study found that marijuana use was correlated with lower rates of intimate partner violence among married couples.

violence?

Yes. According to the World Health Organization, "Alcohol consumption, especially at harmful and hazardous levels, is a major contributor to the occurrence of intimate partners violence."

A comprehensive federal study from the Institute of Medicine concluded that, although some marijuana users develop dependence, "they appear to be less likely to do so than users of other drugs (including alcohol and nicotine)," and marijuana dependence appears to be less severe than dependence on other drugs. Another study published in Scientific Reports looked at the ratio between toxic doses and typical human intakes of various drugs. It found that alcohol was 114 times more dangerous than marijuana based on this measure.