Weed > Alcohol

Whether you prefer smoking bud to sipping on a Bud Light, the probability of attending any social gathering and there being the presence of either cannabis or alcohol (or both) is high.

Yes, there’s a multitude of statistical data regarding health effects, contributions to chronic diseases, and proven medical benefits – which are all important – however, for the sake of this blog, my own subjective viewpoint on the matter will dominate the contents of this writing.

Trichomes and Drops of Mother Earth’s History

As far back as 2800 B.C.E., people have utilized Earth’s cannabis crops for an abundance of reasons including spiritualceremonies, sexual rituals, medicinal purposes, etc. Although cannabis has been used for millennia, the social acceptance and cultural stigma surrounding the plant differs vastly from its liquid adversary. On the other hand, alcohol use can be dated as far back as 7000 B.C.E. Ultimately, alcohol has a much longer historical presence compared to cannabis. Our deeply embedded alcohol-soaked history may explain the widespread acceptance of alcohol and the less popular embrace of cannabis. Legalities and the controversial war on drugs may also serve as contributing factors as to why society places such important value on the liquid narcotic yet seems to shame the organic gold that is cannabis. Mother culture says, “YES!”, to blacking out and swapping emotional depravities for temporary mentalwellness suppressing whatever inner issues brew within, but you’re a disreputable burnout for inhaling a plant to unwind at the end of a long day. As you can see, I possess an obvious bias when it comes between these two popular substances.

Round One: Effects on your Mental- Cannabis vs. Alcohol

Although my money is always on the little green nugg of joyand I’ve expressed a clear distaste for the effects of alcohol, I actually do enjoy the sporadic indulgence of a nerve-relieving sip of liquid courage. Like with most substances, it all depends on my mindset and environment in the moment. When it comes to cannabis, it is a consistent nighttime ritual that brings me true serenity and mental collectedness on the daily. That being said, this p.m. practice is performed within the confines of my home, my private solace, and familiar safe haven. I’m surrounded by my three canine besties and loving life partner. No social worries or thoughts of what people may think of me float throughout my sensitive mind. Amidst social interactions, mymind regularly puts in overtime with overanalytical expectations of my social performance. This habitual act provides me relief from my own mental madness and replaces it with cerebral comfort right before bedtime. My mind is at rest and no inner-quarrels of guilt for this indulgence are ever present.

On the other hand, you would never catch me having a drink at home. Sure, some people utilize alcohol for their own personal escape in the way I described my use of cannabis, but I personally only see use for alcohol for celebrations and vacation.The potential for blacking out and not recalling certain events causes an unease that I never have to worry about with weed. Factor in the dreaded hangxiety and the following guilt of having to consume alcohol in order to feel normal in social situations, and it’s an initial point advantage for my little green friend. However, if we return to my point of my mood being dependent on the environment I’m in when ingesting either of these substances, then I would have to reluctantly give the point to the liquid contender. Weed when alone = good. Weed in social settings = bad (majority of the time unless the social setting is within my own home). Being high with others triggers an uncontrollable hyper awareness within myself that has me mentally criticizing every word and behavior I display while simultaneously second guessing the sincerity of others throughout our interactions. Conversely, alcohol never has this effect on me and actually serves as a social anxiety antidote. It allows me to temporarily displace these nervous thoughts and invoke the confident extrovert that resides within the deep, deep confines of my vulnerable being. Ultimately weed provides me with comfort at home, but not socially, and never torments me with lingering guilt. Alcohol gifts me with the confidence boost I need amongst my peers but wreaks havoc on my conscience and soul following a binge drinking episode. On this note, we’ll call round one a draw.

Round Two: Physical Effects- Cannabis vs. Alcohol

Whether you’re team loud or team liquor, there’s no denying the physical repercussions that follow a night of drinking.Regardless of your physical fitness, age, or experience, a booze binge will have anyone regretting their life’s decisions. The head-pounding, bed-confining, bodily feeling of absolute death can’t mean anything good for your overall health. A severe hangover can waste an entire day of your life causing you to question whether last night’s activities were worth the insufferable aftermath. Even if a hangover is not awaiting you in the form of a literal rude awakening, chances are you retched or encountered a wave of nausea at some point of your drunken blunder. Is the social supplement worth the potential poisoning?

I, for one, have never woken up with a weed hangover. It is true that smoking one too many bowls before bed may increase the likeliness of waking up feeling like a groggy bowl of Z’s. However, I would take sleepiness over pain and suffering any day (and I think the majority of people would too). Setting aside my preference for weed, it is still tricky trying to pinpoint any extreme physical consequences rooted in the cannabis soil. Of course, if your goal for the day is to be productive, the sleepy side effect of cannabis could seem negative in that regard. On the other hand, I know people who smoke before almost every daily activity and still accomplish their plans for the day. In fact, some people rely on the substance to help them power through the sometimes unavoidable monotony of life. So, unless the effects of a sleeping aid, an appetite stimulant, and a mental relaxer are viewed as negative, there really isn’t much to say when it comes to physical impairments stemming from this plant. Although, if we are considering edibles, one can definitely easily overindulge and find themselves in a head-spinning dizziness of doom including vomit and regret. There is also the unappealing smoker’s cough that some avid smokers suffer from where a constant phlegmy cough rattles through their airways on the daily. Despite these minor cannabis consequences, and considering alcohol’s physical internal and external obliterations, I think the round two point clearly goes to the green contender.

Round Three: K.O.

“Herb is the healing of a nation, alcohol is the destruction”.Evidently, Bob Marley expressed a belief with similar sentiment to the thesis of this blog. The bottom line is, whether you personally favor a sip of wine over a rip of a bong, there is no denying the damaging bodily and mental effects alcohol poses to the masses. Although I started off by stating that I would stray from statistical information, one cannot ignore the fact that alcohol is responsible for millions of deaths worldwide per year.To be fair, some of these deaths include car accidents, but they also include alcohol poisoning, liver damage, heart failure, and cancer. Can you honestly think of anyone you know passing from a cannabis overdose? On the contrary, there have been multiple cases where cannabis helps remedy specific medical ailments rather than cause them. Without even analyzing the benefits of these substances and only acknowledging the negative effects we’ve already explored, it’s obvious that cannabis trumps alcohol in almost every aspect. Considering thedeadly physical conditions, MIB neutralizer-like effects, and soul depleting hangovers, alcohol offers an array of unwelcomedpunishments. Sure, it helps liven the party and serves as a temporary confidence boost, but the pros simply do not outweigh the cons. Cannabis, on the other hand, may do the opposite in certain settings and cause anxiety for some, cancause nausea when considering an overindulgence of edibles, and might make for a groggier morning than wanted. However, no deadly conditions result from cannabis and millions aren’t reported dead annually due to its use. Rather, some cases have shown cannabis to provide bodily healing benefits while simultaneously offering overall cerebral relaxation. Ultimately, my initial bias remains unwavering. In the rival of alcohol vs. weed, the cannabis competitor knockouts its liquid combatant.