According to recently published statistics, more Americans use marijuana everyday than consume alcohol.
Author of the study and cannabis policy researcher at Carnegie Mellon University Jonathan Caulkins published it in the journal Addiction on Wednesday. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health provided the data that were used in it.
The report contends that although overall, more Americans drink alcohol than smoke marijuana, this is the first time in American history that marijuana users outweigh alcohol users on a daily basis.
As of 2022, 17.7 million Americans reported consuming marijuana daily or almost daily, according to the survey. In the same year, only 14.7 million Americans claimed to drink alcohol daily or nearly daily.
“A good 40% of current cannabis users are using it daily or near daily, a pattern that is more associated with tobacco use than typical alcohol use,” Caulkins said.
If either chemical is used excessively, it might be harmful.
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Dr. Abra Jeffers, a data analyst at Massachusetts General Hospital, emphasized that excessive marijuana use might be dangerous.
“People think marijuana is harmless. It is not,” she stated. “We found that using marijuana (mostly by smoking) is as bad as smoking tobacco cigarettes.”
“While we reported the results for daily use, any use increases risk — with more days of use per month associated with higher risk,” she continued.
According to a prior statement from the National Cannabis Industry Association, cannabis “is clearly safer than alcohol.”
However, Dr. Robert Page, a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, also warned that consuming too much marijuana can be harmful to one’s heart.
“Cannabis is not an innocent bystander when it comes to cardiovascular health,” he stated. “We do need to get out to the public the fact that there is a potential for these types of cardiovascular events and people need to make an informed decision.”
The doctor continued by saying that marijuana users’ mental and cognitive health may also be adversely affected.
“Cannabinoids have what we call psychotropic effects that affect your perception … and mental status,” Page stated. “And like prescription medications that are psychotropic, they carry side effects.”
The Colorado physician recommended cannabis users to obtain a prescription before deciding to take the medication regularly and to be open and honest with their medical professionals about their use.
“There needs to be shared decision-making between the patient and the provider with regard to cannabis use,” he said. “Patient-centered, non-judgmental conversations are what is really needed.”
