Anti-marijuana people legalize credit for alcohol-related deaths

Since marijuana legalization began in the United States, the narrative spewing out of proponents’ mouths suggests that the downfall of the ban was of great concern to the American state. Many of them stick to research suggesting pot may help reduce alcoholism. However, anti-drug warriors believe that legalizing marijuana has been linked to an increase in alcohol-related deaths. It is a potential public health threat that they fear more of the population may consume as marijuana legalization continues to spread across the country.

A new study Colorado, one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana, has seen alcohol-related deaths increase by 13% in recent years, according to the Well Being Trust. Researchers believe there are several reasons for this, most of which are related to how alcohol is intertwined in American culture. “With alcohol we have socialized and normalized ourselves a little more in our society than other aspects of our mental health,” explained Dr. Ben Miller in one interview with the Denver Channel. “We’re probably not going to talk about heroin as much as we are about bourbon.” That’s true.

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Despite the popularity of alcohol and the relaxed attitude towards it, the drug is responsible for killing around 90,000 Americans each year. However, we live in a time when drinking is linked to almost every social function known to man – from celebrations after work to sporting events – and no one really seems to believe that they can harm themselves.

Drinking also usually starts at a very young age shown statistically increase the risk of health problems. Alcoholism is a progressive misalignment. Someone who starts drinking socially as a teenager could develop an alcohol use disorder. Somewhere near one of eight Drinkers (12.7% of the population) meet the criteria of a problem drinker. Still, those who oppose marijuana legalization believe that it will lead people to engage in more problematic drinking.

“With weeds comes alcohol” Kevin Sabet tweeted, President of the anti-drug organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM).

With weeds comes boozehttps: //t.co/Jsdu2RjE5r

– Kevin Sabet (evKevinSabet) May 21, 2021

Although Sabet’s post, which was prepared for the Well Being Trust to share the study, was not elaborated, his stance is clear: legalizing marijuana is a detriment to American public health. In one current article For the Ripon Society, Sabet explains the reasons for his largely unpopular opinion.

“Marijuana legalization has been a hot topic of discussion in a handful of states across the country,” Sabet wrote. “Of course, those who just skim the headlines cannot see that more legalization efforts have failed than they have succeeded in recent years. But what is really worrying, and potentially causing us damage for decades, is the fact that these legalization efforts are ahead of the data and ignoring red flags. “

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While some of Sabet’s complaints about cannabis legalization are laudable, it is a little difficult to argue, even vaguely, that marijuana legalization may have something to do with an increase in Colorado’s alcohol-related deaths. It probably didn’t. According to the study author, the stress, economic uncertainty and isolation caused by the pandemic probably had more to do with the surge than anything. Well Being Trust has never suggested that marijuana legalization is part of the problem. But everything is connected in Sabet’s head.

RELATED: Legal Cannabis Could Help Stop Alcohol-Related Deaths

Because of this, Sabet argues that decriminalization is a better option for the country than full legalization. Eliminating criminal sanctions versus creating a taxed and regulated market would prevent otherwise law-abiding citizens from being blocked in the criminal justice system without encouraging the use of another drug and ultimately helping to normalize it.

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“It is important to note that decriminalizing marijuana means removing criminal penalties for low marijuana use. This means ending the arrest of people who only use or possess small amounts of the drug. ” Sabet wrote. “This policy, coupled with the deletion of previous records and an increase in treatment resources, is a policy that deserves support,” he added.

RELATED: Marijuana is a substitute for alcohol during the pandemic and May have long-term benefits

President Biden supports the concept of decriminalizing marijuana and other drugs, but that might not be enough for Senate Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer plans to introduce laws to legalize marijuana nationwide this year. Schumer will try to achieve this without including Big Alcohol and Big Tobacco in the conversation. Although adversarial forces like Sabet enjoy preventing large drug addicts from getting into the pot industry, these lobbies have already infiltrated the cannabis scene and are working to develop policies in their favor.

“After years of laying the foundations that would allow corporate addiction giants without exception to enter the marijuana industry, leading advocates of legalization are now trying to rewrite history.” Sabet wrote. “For the sake of the health and safety of future generations, we must stop the commercialization and normalization of marijuana.”