There is an ongoing debate surrounding the recreational use of cannabis in the UK, with a number of different perspectives being presented on TV and other media outlets.
While everyone is entitled to their opinion, it is crucial to base these opinions on research and reliable data rather than emotions or preconceived notions.
In this article, we will present some statistics and facts related to the risks and benefits of cannabis and alcohol (which is, of course, legal) with a hope of bringing some perspective to this sensitive issue.
Alcohol-specific deaths and hospital admissions
According to the latest statistics from England, alcohol-specific deaths increased by 20% in 2021, with 8,834 people dying from alcohol-related causes.
Alcohol-specific deaths are defined as those caused by chronic liver disease, toxic effects of alcohol, and mental and behavioural disorders due to alcohol use. However, this definition has some limitations, as it excludes deaths caused by other alcohol-related conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and accidents.
In addition to deaths, alcohol is responsible for a significant number of hospital admissions. In 2021, there were 338,000 hospital admissions in England where alcohol was the primary or secondary reason for admission. These figures are staggering, and they show the significant negative impact that alcohol can have on individuals and society as a whole.
Cannabis-related deaths and their causes
According to the latest data available from the UK, there were no reported deaths caused by cannabis use In 2021, and 66 cannabis-related deaths reported since 1998.
However, it is essential to clarify that most of these deaths were not directly caused by cannabis consumption but rather by accidental self-inflicted injuries or the use of other substances in combination with cannabis.
Only 14 cases were where cannabis use was deemed the cause of death, with the majority of these cases involving co-detected substances.
While any loss of life is tragic, it is crucial to compare the risks of cannabis to those of other legal substances such as alcohol. Even if all cannabis-related deaths were directly caused by cannabis consumption, it would still be safer than alcohol, as the number of alcohol-specific deaths and hospital admissions shows.
When we consider that the number of deaths directly caused by cannabis in 2021 is only 0.15% of all deaths directly caused by alcohol, the difference in safety is clear.
Read: 10 Things Everyone In The UK Needs To Know About Cannabis
Murders and alcohol
According to the 2019 Global Study on Homicide by UNODC, alcohol and other drugs play a significant role in homicides worldwide. The study found that psychoactive substances were involved in 38% of all homicides globally, with alcohol being the most commonly detected substance.
In 2019, an estimated 31% of homicides globally were committed under the influence of alcohol.
In England, there were 723 homicides reported in 2021. Based on the global estimates, it is reasonable to assume that around 224 of these homicides were committed under the influence of alcohol.
These figures highlight the need for evidence-based solutions to reduce alcohol-related violence.
Other risks and benefits of cannabis use
While cannabis use has some potential risks, such as the risk of dependence or cognitive impairment, these risks need to be compared to the potential benefits of cannabis use.
Cannabis has been shown to have significant medical benefits, such as pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-anxiety properties.
In terms of dependence, research shows that cannabis use is less likely to lead to dependence than alcohol use. According to the DSM-V, the rate of dependence on cannabis is around 9%, compared to 15% for alcohol.
Moreover, providing safer recreational options, such as cannabis, could help reduce dependence on heavy drugs such as opioids or methamphetamine, which pose a more significant risk to individuals and society.
Read: Cannabis Smoke Vs Tobacco Smoke: Which Is Worse?
Legal medical cannabis
In 2018, the United Kingdom legalised medical cannabis, which allowed specialist doctors to prescribe cannabis-based products to patients with certain medical conditions. This decision was made following a review by the UK’s chief medical officer, which found that cannabis-based products could have therapeutic benefits for some patients.
The change in law followed several high-profile cases involving children with severe epilepsy, who were using cannabis oil to control their seizures. Despite the evidence of the benefits of medical cannabis, it remains nearly impossible to get a prescription on the NHS.
Read: 84% Of Brits Don’t Know Cannabis Flower Is Available On Prescription
Conclusion
In conclusion, the debate on cannabis is complex and multifaceted. However, it is essential to consider all available data and research before forming opinions on sensitive topics such as this.
While alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions in England remain high, there have been no reported cannabis-related deaths in 2021. Even when considering historical data, the majority of cannabis-related deaths were not directly caused by cannabis consumption, but by accidental self-inflicted injuries or co-detected substances.
Compared to alcohol, which causes thousands of deaths and hospital admissions in the UK, as well as being linked with violence, cannabis poses little risks while also providing important health and medical benefits.
It is crucial to approach the issue of cannabis legalisation with a nuanced and evidence-based perspective. It is only through a comprehensive understanding of the facts and the potential benefits and risks that we can make informed decisions.
Read: Do We Really Need “More Evidence” To Prescribe Cannabis To Terminally Ill Children?
Sources:
https://www.reddit.com/r/UKweedscene/comments/12978hc/weed_alcohol_statistics/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3538401/
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/02698811221115760https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/causesofdeath/bulletins/alcoholrelateddeathsintheunitedkingdom/registeredin2020#alcohol-specific-deaths-in-the-uk
