In discussions about cannabis legalization, comparisons with alcohol are frequently drawn. But what does the scientific evidence actually show? Alcohol is one of the most consumed psychoactive substances in Switzerland and worldwide – and the numbers are striking: In the USA, over 140,000 deaths per year are attributed to alcohol consumption. In contrast, data from poison control centers show that cannabis was not registered as the sole cause of death between 2013 and 2021. This does not mean that cannabis is completely risk-free, but the available epidemiological data indicate a significantly lower mortality risk.
Of course, a fair comparison is more complex than just mortality statistics. Both substances can have health effects – whether on mental health, respiratory tract, or cognitive functions. However, long-term data show that the acute and chronic health consequences of alcohol are significantly more severe and frequent. In Switzerland, it is important to emphasize that CBD products and legal cannabis products with low THC content are legally regulated, and the consumption of legal products is subject to entirely different safety standards than uncontrolled alcohol consumption.
For detailed scientific background, we refer to the informative article by CBD Oracle.
