Marijuana, safer than painkillers — STUDY

A publication in The Lancet, revealed that marijuana, though often preferred to other illicit drugs of addiction such as cocaine, heroin and amphetamines are responsible for killing fewer persons than addictive painkillers such as Oxycontin and Vicodinbe.

Of a total of 78,000 drug deaths, prescription pain pills accounted for more than half. The study does not mention why marijuana has become the most popular drug, controversy over the legalisation of cannabis in some US states rages on.

While marijuana use is still illegal according to federal law, the new global report found that men in their 20s were most likely to abuse any of the drugs studied. Drugs such as Ecstasy and other hallucinogens were not included due to a lack of data.

The study also found that Australia, Russia, the UK and the US were the hardest hit by substance abuse. Those living in these areas were also more likely to use the drugs which originated closer to home.

For instance, persons living in Asia or Australia were more inclined to abuse amphetamines and opioids whereas North Americans used more marijuana and cocaine.


Marijuana

“Even if it is not very solid data, we can say definitely that there are drug problems in most parts of the world,” explained senior author Theo Vos.

Michael Lysnkey with the National Addiction Centre at King’s College in London warned that these numbers are likely to change, saying the world’s preference for drugs may change in the future.

READ MORE (source: vanguard)