Developing Brains: Alcohol Worse than Marijuana
March 26, 2009 by Miranda Marquit
Is marijuana less dangerous than alcohol?
(PhysOrg.com) -- It appears that when it comes to teen brain development, parents should be more worried about alcohol abuse than marijuana abuse. Two recent studies have been published showing that alcohol -- a legal substance (though not legal for teens in the U.S.) -- is considered more dangerous than marijuana, which is illegal in many countries.
One study has been published in the U.S., in the journal Clinical EEG and neuroscience: official journal of the EEG and Clinical Neuroscience Society (ENCS), and shows that alcohol has a stronger effect on teen brain development than marijuana. The other is a study published in the Lancet, offering the results of substance classification by a number of U.K. professionals, purporting that alcohol is more dangerous than marijuana to individuals and to society.
The U.S. study was undertaken by Squeglia, Jacobus and Tapert in a San Diego State University/University of California San Diego joint doctoral program. The study looks at teen brain development for its uniqueness, as well as for the effects that substance abuse has on the brain during this time. Because alcohol and marijuana are commonly used by high school students, it is little surprise that the study is interested in the brain abnormalities stemming from abuse of these substances.
When the brain abnormalities were measured -- seen in terms of brain functioning and structure, cognitive tasks and quality of white matter -- it appeared as though alcohol had a great effect than marijuana. Heavy drinking was defined 20 drinks per month, and the abnormalities were detectable. In heavy marijuana users, abnormalities existed, but not to the same degree as those seen in alcohol abusers.
Findings from the U.S. study, showing that alcohol use in teens causes more irregular brain function than marijuana, would seem to square with efforts in the U.K. to encourage new drug classification. In the Lancet, David Nutt at Bristol University, along with his colleagues, asked psychologists and scientifically or medically trained police to rank different substances according to how harmful they are. The study purports that experts rank alcohol (and tobacco) as more harmful than marijuana. In a list of 20 substances, alcohol came in at number five, tobacco came in at number nine, and marijuana/cannabis came in at number eleven.
These studies are likely to add fuel to movements in both the U.S. and the U.K. to re-classify marijuana. Supporters of fewer restrictions on marijuana will undoubtedly point to scientific studies that show we already legalize less dangerous substances.
© 2009 PhysOrg.com
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I start to think we're making progress but then I read a story about MD State Troopers busting down doors, killing family pets and leaving the families zip tied on the floor while they ransack the household only to find marijuana dust.
Incorrect. Marijuana is legal FOR CONTROLLED CONSUMPTION in Holland. However distribution and possession for distribution are incriminated but tolerated in some cases.
Possession and distribution being criminal mean you can't own it or sell it. Sounds illegal to me.
Marijuana for controlled consumption, means medical use. Medical use is not officially supported in Holland. Popular prescription doesn't mean legalization, especially when there is no legal distribution. Marijuana is as legal in Holland as it is in Southern California, which is to say, not at all.
It is legal, sort of.. Otherwise there wouldn't be a coffeeshop 2 blocks away from me. Possession is legal and so is distribution by coffeeshops, but it isn't very clear where the coffeeshops get their goods from. There is only 1 large legal plantation, but they only grow marihuana for medical use which is allowed if your doctor prescribes it.
To clear some things up:
Using marihuana is allowed, with the exception of public places.
One person can buy 5 grammes of marihuana per coffeeshop every day.
They allow you to have up to 5 cannabis plants at home.
Not possession and distribution, but possession *for* distribution. Possession for personal use is legal, meaning the government is the only one allowed to deal. I can't say if that's actually going on or if regular growers are the main suppliers and that aspect of the law is not being enforced.
"No it is not legal. It's tolerated. We allow it's use in coffee shops, in homes, and in hotels. We've found that if we don't turn a blind eye in there, it comes out to the streets and with it violent crime."
That's a direct quote from the recent BBC special on Marijuana usage.