April 27, 2015
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco usage caused more than 480,000 deaths in 2013 alone, followed by alcohol, which caused approximately 26,654 deaths.
Meanwhile, the recorded deaths for marijuana usage were zero.
A recent study published by Scientific Reports highlights that many drugs that are legal in the United States are significantly more dangerous than marijuana. With statistics like those above, it is hard to understand why marijuana still touts such harsh legalities.
Scientific Reports’ Comparative Risk Assessments
The study by Scientific Reports assessed the comparative risk of death that accompanies consuming a variety of drugs, from marijuana to methamphetamine to heroin. The study ultimately found that marijuana is far safer in comparison to harder drugs than previously thought, as well as multiple legal drugs like alcohol and tobacco.
The study compared marijuana’s “margin of exposure” to other drugs and found that the margin of exposure is significantly higher than other drugs. This means that the likelihood of consuming of a harmful dose of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, is lower than say, alcohol, heroin, cocaine, nicotine, MDMA and amphetamines, just to name a few.
Despite these findings, marijuana is stilled classified as a “Schedule 1” drug alongside the likes of heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. This tends to suggest that marijuana has a “high potential of abuse,” as well as zero medicinal properties.
When Legal Drugs Are More Dangerous
The four drugs found to be the deadliest in the country are legal in all 50 states, yet many illegal drugs that could be considered “safer,” like marijuana, remain heavily regulated and policed.
– Tobacco: Tobacco usage accounts for nearly 500,000 deaths in the United States annually, a number significantly higher than all other legal drugs.
– Alcohol: Alcohol is estimated to be 114 times more dangerous than marijuana.
– Legal Drugs: Legal drugs, including stimulants like caffeine, are responsible for approximately 22,215 deaths each year in the U.S.
– Prescription Painkillers: These legal drugs account for more than 16,000 deaths annually in the U.S.
Contact the Attorneys at the Khonsari Law Group
Despite extensive research that suggests marijuana is safer than most drugs, marijuana remains the only substance controlled by the federal government that has never caused any deaths by overdose. Despite these statistics, marijuana is illegal to possess, sell or cultivate, so if you are facing a marijuana-related charge, contact the legal team at the Khonsari Law Group. We have the experience and skills necessary to find your rights and garner the best possible outcome for your case.
To learn more about the Khonsari Law Group, contact us today or schedule your free consultation.