The use of marijuana is growing in popularity in the United States. But fewer people are smoking cigarettes these days. At the moment, 24 of the 50 states permit the recreational use of cannabis, and other states are likewise heading toward more widespread access to the drug. Voters in South Dakota and Florida have already scheduled ballots on the matter for November.
Alcohol consumption is far more common among Americans than cannabis use for highs, and it is also far riskier. Approximately 5 percent of adult Americans have smoked marijuana in the past year, compared to 2/3 who have tried a drink. More than half drink alcohol once a month or more. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol use is currently responsible for approximately 180,000 deaths annually in the United States. Marijuana carries almost no mortality risk. However, smoking marijuana is still not risk-free.
The Cannabis users usually give in to their habit more frequently. Among marijuana users, one in five report daily highs. Prior to several states legalizing cannabis usage, about one in ten people used it on a daily basis. Taking into account “near-daily users,” the Economist magazine calculated that in 2018, the number of daily smokers exceeded the number of regular drinkers.
Regular cannabis users may acquire schizophrenia and other psychotic diseases earlier than they otherwise might, according to studies. A higher risk of cardiovascular illnesses, such as heart attacks and strokes, may also be associated with heavy users. Mr. Caulkins clarified in a Washington Monthly piece that excessive use may also impair motivation, short-term memory, and focus, leading to “lost opportunities in schools and the workplace.”
Source: Economist
