Marijuana is Becoming More Popular than Alcohol

July 23, 2018 | Articles

Alcohol consumption is down by 2.5% with 18 to 25-year-olds. Marijuana consumption, on the other hand, is up by 4.6%. In fact, cannabis delivery service companies report that 82% of their customers reduce their alcohol intake after beginning to use marijuana. Surveys reveals that 72% of marijuana users drink less. Why is this happening? And is it a good thing?

What Young People Think about Marijuana

The general consensus of young people is that marijuana is safer and healthier than alcohol. 36.9% of adults believe 5 or more drinks 1 or 2 times a week is harmful. Only 19.1% believe smoking marijuana 1 or 2 times a week is harmful. This is a recent trend. Only 3 years ago (2015), 37% of adults believed smoking marijuana weekly was harmful.

Overall, 82% of marijuana users and 25% of non-users believe alcohol is more dangerous. 56% of adults believe marijuana usage is socially acceptable.

Statistics Show:

• 6% of millennials believe marijuana is safer than alcohol
• 6% of millennials believe that marijuana is actually good for your health
• 2% say marijuana is better for athletes than painkillers, opioids
• 2% want marijuana to be allowed in sports
• 2% believe criminals serving time for marijuana-related crimes should be released
• 4% think marijuana should be allowed to be consumed in public

Is it Really Safer?

According to Matt Moore, Senior Vice President of the IIHS’s Highway Loss Data institute, “The combined-state analysis shows that the first three states to legalize recreational marijuana have experienced more crashes.” 3% higher to be exact. In 2015, there were more drug-related DUI fatalities than alcohol, and 35% of those were marijuana-related.

Federal research proves that smoking marijuana before driving increases one’s risk of a car crash.

Help for Victims

Have you or a loved one suffered injury or loss due to a driver under the influence of marijuana? Contact AZ DUI Victim today.