What is worse, Marijuana or Alcohol?

So, a lot of people are saying marijuana is less dangerous, and I agree in most cases.

...
However, marijuana has been known to be more harmful in specific situations, like the onset of bipolar and schizophrenia.
At least, that's what I've been told by a certain medical professional.

They did, however, do some studies on this:
Cannabis-Induced episodes followed by schizophrenia
http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/187/6/510

Cannabis relation with onset of bipolarity
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016517811300680X (the abstract gives you a good enough idea)

Studies like these (there aren't very many out there, I suppose, since in many places it is not technically legal, as well as the fact that such relations between marijuana and mental disorders is a relatively small sector of research) make marijuana seem more dangerous to me, simply because I am very likely to develop a bipolar disorder, and I'd rather not have that. I can't find the article that I originally found regarding onset of bipolarity and marijuana, unfortunately, but you get the idea.

As I've been raised, alcohol is ever-present in the house, but not in a bad way. I know that alcohol has a potential to be dangerous, but I've been raised to keep in mind that wine/beer are to go with meals, or to drink with friends as a social activity - not for the sole purpose of getting drunk (and now that I've been spoiled with dad's wine/beer/whiskey/tequila hobby-turned-business, I can't stand the taste of most drink-to-get-drunk drinks).
So, to me personally, I see marijuana is a much scarier and potentially dangerous drug - for me.

 

No, well, kind of.

They are both find in certain circumstances and in moderation.

If I were to go out and drink so much alcohol that I got alcohol poisoning, possibly causing myself to die, that obviously would not be fine.

If I were to drink alcohol or ingest/smoke marijuana before driving, causing me to get into a car accident, that would obviously not be fine either.

If I were to smoke marijuana for years, causing me to eventually develop lung cancer, that would, once again, not be fine.

I think I've made my point, but either way, the debate is about which one is better, not if they're both fine.

Anyway, marijuana is better than alcohol. While they are both fine in moderation, alcohol is much easier to use to the point that it's unhealthy. Too much alcohol over years can cause liver damage/failure, as well as possible heart conditions and other medical conditions, too much alcohol in a short period of time can cause alcohol poisoning, and alcohol is highly addictive. Marijuana, on the other hand, presents practically no health risks (unless you smoke it, in which case lung cancer is possible), is nearly impossible to overdose on, and is not addictive. If your body isn't used to marijuana intake, however, some moderately extreme effects can occur (such as extreme anxiety), but as long as you adjust to using it slowly, there should be no health issues. Another thing to note, though, is that both marijuana and alcohol can decrease coordination, judgement, brain clarity/function, and reaction time. So, partaking in certain activities, such as driving a car, after using either of them is not fine.

 

From the first article: "The incidence of cannabis-induced psychotic disorders in Denmark was estimated to be 2.7 per 100 000 person-years."

2.7 per 100,000 people develop a psychotic disorder due to cannabis tends to be more of a correlation than cause an effect, either way that rate is extremely low and non-cannabis users probably have the same rate of affliction.

Second article is including research on people already diagnosed with bipolar disorder and they simply ask them how many times they used to smoke etc... this is extremely flawed because there's no control or real data, its simply the test subjects' word.

There honestly needs to be more studies done, a study done with 300-500 participants really isn't significant enough. Generally drugs that are FDA approved are tested by thousands of individuals and then there are post marketing studies done on the masses to find rare side effects etc..

 

free the weed

 

alcohol

 

Unfortunately, like I said, I couldn't find the actual study that I originally had stumbled across that tested the connection, but again: this is for me, personally, because of genetics. I'd rather not be able to smoke than bring on a manic episode.

 

Any reputable study is referenced to the full text in pretty much every instance. I took a course on how to tell if studies are reputable with CI's, P values, proper statistical tests, sources of errors etc... in pharmacy school. But I think due to the illegality of the drug there are a lack of studies done, who knows, there may be a bunch of negative side effects.

 

It has been studied intensively, by professionals or not. Marijuana is not a new drug.

 

The legality in the USA has prevented it in studies that include millions of participants. I am referring to studies of drugs after FDA approval such as post marketing studies that include millions of people to obtain information about rare but serious side effects.

Forgive me if wording is off, I am a bit tipsy right now... just finished studying for the day.

 

I retract my previous statement you're right.

 

Marijuana is a well-known drug all over the world. It is commonly used in the streets and is known by it's many names such as;
Piff, Weed, Grass, Gonja, Boom, Cannabis, Blunt, Reefer, Ashes, Burrito, Broccoli, Hay, Etc...
Marijuana can be used also for medicinal purposes, as it can be prescribed by doctors in certain states/countries. Marijuana is used by doctors to; reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, Improve appetite for people with HIV/AIDS, to relieve chronic pain, and help with muscle spasms. However, the long-term effects of Marijuana are still unclear, since not many experiments have been conducted on this. I believe that the plant itself is harmless, but that it can be hazardous when smoked or ingested with inorganic chemical compounds.

 

Well said @Fuzzlr. *clapclapclapclapclap*

 

Alcohol is, I believe, potentially more lethal on it's own, however, it doesn't have the violence associated with illegal drugs. They both have about the same effect on drivers... I'd have to say marijuana is slightly worse, but not by a whole lot.

 

If you change the legality you wouldn't have the violence associated with it and if you had the choice of being the passenger of a stoned driver or drunk driver the choice is pretty clear...

 

IDK, it's not very clear to me, probably because I've never had experience with drunk/high people. I do know that my school had an assembly to convince us not to do drugs, and their arguments against marijuana were... pitiful. They amounted to "You think it's not harmful? Well you couldn't be more wrong. You think it's not addictive? That's completely false."

 

Its really not addictive lol, alcohol is in every way much worse.

 

Alcohol is way more addictive, talking from family and my own experience

 

I didn't say it was addictive lol. The illum-er-government did. xD.

 

Here is my view on both of these substances. Both will kill you if used excessively or in the wrong way. Both do have some medical benefits (though I would like if scientists did some more research on cannabis to understand fully what it can and cannot do). You can get addicted to anything including these two substances. Both alcohol and cannabis should be kept away from minors unless the cannabis or alcohol helps the minor with a severe medical problem. Conclusion: Both have good properties but both also have bad properties so I think both are ok if used in moderation.

 

People overdose on cannabis? Alcohol really serves no purpose medically other than acute methanol poisoning.

You can get methanol poisoning via injesting any of the following:

• Antifreeze
• Canned heating sources
• Copy machine fluids
• De-icing fluid
• Fuel additives (octane boosters)
• Paint remover or thinner
• Shellac
• Varnish
• Windshield wiper fluid

So if someone is stupid enough to drink any of those then I guess alcohol can be used medically but..... yeah, no lol

I'm in the medical field and there really isn't any argument against weed other than you generally won't be productive that day (same as alcohol) and its illegal.