Which one of these substances cause more harm to the individual and society?

Question

marijuana or alcohol?

Please include a why in the response

Robert L
Level 2
I sort of agree - everytime I am told I can't smoke my ciggerette here I get mad and say the same thing - I miss the 70's when smoking was almost manditory

BUT have you ever seen what crack and cyrstal meth do to a person - damm right the government should protect us from that!
Booze makes people violent reckless etc Pot makes people over eat - I have never heard of anyone high on weed go home and beat up there wife

Answer 1

Alcohol, by far. It is lucky to be the grandfather of recreational drugs.

I *hate* drunk drivers; they never think they are going fast enough.

Stoners on the other hand stay right in their lane doing 25...thinking they are doing 85. Much easier to pass and forget.

Answer 2

I would say both, but if you forced me to choose, I would say alcohol is probably more dangerous for both the individual and society. It's probably more likely to be addictive, and it's more widely tolerated. A lot of people smoke pot a few times, then stop, thinking "What's the big deal?" There is societal pressure to continue drinking alcohol. It's much worse in some other countries like Russia, where it can be considered an insult if you don't join your host in a drink at the table. Also, they feel an obligation to finish off every bottle.
I think the problems with pot would be worse if it were legalized, and as it became more widespread. Also, pot can easily lead teenagers to try other drugs.

Answer 3

Well, both of these substances can be used in moderation and mean no harm to either society or individuals. However, if used excessively, both substances can be harmful.
Marijuana can make one lazy and unfulfilled (experience). Thus individually, it is a drain on what one might do. Societally, marijuana has little effect on those outside of the immediate relation and friends of those using the drug.

Alcohol on the other hand has both social and individual consequnences. To the individual, if used in excess (experience here too), it can cause kidney and liver problems, which lead to eventual medical costs and a basic burden to society. To society, there are the obvious, drunk driving accidents, abuse to children or others close to the individual.

Either way, the choice is apparent when it comes to the individual or societal effects of both substances. Marijuana can hurt the one smoking it and those closest to him or her. Alcohol can affect those plus others because of such things as alcohol induced accidents.

Answer 4

To be completely honest that's a tough one. On one hand Alcohol abuse causes specific harm to others by the abuse perpurtrated by drunks. Also drunk drivers cause a lot of harm to innocent others. But Marijuana use hardly harms anyone but the user except for the dolts it leaves behind by killing brain cells. I guess I would have to say Alcohol because more marijuana users are only harming themselves versus Alcoholics that harm others.

Answer 5

Both are harmful. When you buy Marijuana you are supporting crime and the destruction of society that brings, not to mention the harmful effects smoke has on the lungs, or the lost brain cells.. Alcohol is harmful for your liver and brain as well. Not to mention the terrible loss of life it causes in DWI wrecks.

Answer 6

Alcohol, most notably, can cause liver problems, whereas pot can damage the lungs (smoke). Either one used sensibly is probably safer than eating junk food. Abuse of anything is what is damaging to health. Alcoholism and drug addiction costs society billions per year. And so does diabetes, heart disease, obesity, etc., all caused from improper diets. Which one causes more harm to abusing individuals? Hard to say. Which one causes more harm to society? Monetarily, neither of your choices.

Answer 7

Alcohol because it is more widely used, but marijuana would be just as harmful if it were as widely used. If people would just use common sense, all drugs could be legalized. It is unfortunate that common sense is what is blocked when on drugs.

Answer 8

I think it is marijuana, because there are illegal farms, fer chrissakes, worked by illegal immigrants here in the US and a thriving illegal trade in it also.

I think the threat of cannabis can be completely removed by legalization of growing it for personal use but not for trade.

Answer 9

Alcohol since it is addictive while marijuana only causes dependency (psych term for "not as addictive").

Answer 10

alcohol causes the most damage but both should be legal. the one thing the government can not and should not try to do is protect us from ourselves