Study Empirically Confirms Cannabis Safer than Alcohol and Basically Every Other Drug

A new study published in a subsidiary journal of Nature, called Scientific Reports, concluded that cannabis may be even safer
than previously thought when compared to other recreational drugs–like alcohol.
The researchers quantified fatalities associated with drugs and found that on
an individual level, alcohol was the deadliest substance, followed by heroin
and cocaine. Cannabis turned out to be the least lethal substance–about 114
times less fatal than liquor, and is the only drug that poses a low death rate.

The results strengthen drug safety
standings developed 10 years ago under a somewhat different system.
Essentially, the study reiterates previous outcomes more than anything else,
and comes at a convenient time at the heels of the great cannabis debate.

The authors of the paper note that
legal classifications of psychoactive drugs often “lack a scientific basis,”
and their conclusions ratify this fact.

Considering the dangers related to
cannabis and booze, the researchers endorse “risk management prioritization
towards alcohol and tobacco rather than illicit drugs.” When it comes to
cannabis, they “suggest a strict legal regulatory approach rather than the
current prohibition approach.”

It would be more beneficial if
organizations and individuals who staunchly oppose cannabis legalization,
shifted their attention to substances that pose a greater threat to public
health – like alcohol and prescription pills – instead of cannabis. After all,
isn’t it a bit hypocritical to rail against the dangers of “dope” when more
people–114 times more–die from alcohol abuse every day?

To see the graph showing the risk
levels of various drugs, click here.