Thank you, as adults we all are entrusted with the expectation to act on good judgement and common sense. People can abuse Listerine and turn into strange, aggressive dimwits too.
I've seen alcohol divide families and destroy long friendships. I can't say I've seen the same with marijuana.
If anything, more and more people, many the type of person you'd least expect to use it (parents, politicians, media figures, ...) are turning to it ( or maybe no longer hiding the fact that they use) it as a recreational, harmless way of destressing after slaving away all day. If it helps people relax in this crazy non-stop day and age we find ourselves in, I say it's a good thing.
Not sure if I'm the only who's noticed but North America seems to be suffering from a mental health crisis. I highly doubt weed has any cause in that.
It is a but hard to compare pot to alcohol given how wide spread alcohol use is and therefore the rate of incidence is going to appear a lot higher when statistically it may be smaller... one won't know until studies are actually done.
Also it is funny you choose to compare "safe" use of pot vs abuse of alcohol...
I have also seen many many families that can safely consume several drinks a day without any issues... isn't that your argument about pot? It is safe for me and my mates, so far, so it must be safe...
As I said I believe in most adult individuals, like alcohol, consuming an appropriate amount is perfectly fine... yes alcohol may have a lower threshold for binging... however both have significant anti-social outcomes with overuse... they are just on the opposite spectrum (and yes alcohol can lead to violent issues however I also believe that is a bigger societal issue, given most people don't bash someone when drunk). Doesn't mean both aren't causing significant issues inside our brains.
Also perhaps you should do some reading on the correlation between marijuana and serve psychotic episodes in those that have a susceptibility to it.
And I have seen the situation where pot destroy families, marriages. Makes mental health problems significantly worse. Yes most times there are underlying mental health issues, which is much the same with alcohol abuse... sorry alcohol doesn't make you pick a fight, it just reduces inhibitions so you are more prepared to do it.
Pot doesn't have an aggressive effect like alcohol appears to have, it has a psychotic and paranoid effect when it goes bad generally.
I'm not arguing against legalising. I think pot should be legal, as in my experience it is the equivalent of alcohol... no better or no worse... but to call either of the safe is just wrong. Both have serious side affects that can cause major issues.
Legalising it may be the step to minimise it as doses can be controlled and regulated. It means research will be less taboo. Heck it may prove you are right and that it is safer.. it may prove it is a bigger cancer risk than cigarettes... I don't know.... but it doesn't have the carte blanche tag of "safe".
