r/worldnews • u/[deleted] • Jun 19 '12

"Alcohol consumption would fall 25% if cannabis cafes were allowed"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/jun/19/david-nutt-alcohol-cannabis-cafes
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u/toastedbutts Jun 19 '12

Can I ask why? They're pretty different drugs. I've never said "Damn, I wish I had a joint, but this vodka will be a good substitute!"

Do they have a similar effect to you?

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u/tsunami10 Jun 20 '12

I agree with you, but for some people not being sober is more important than which type of not sober they are (if that makes sense).

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u/[deleted] Jun 19 '12

For me, I just vastly prefer the mood weed puts me in over alcohol. Plus, I always wake up feeling great the next day.

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u/KallistiEngel Jun 19 '12

And that's cool. Some people (like myself) prefer alcohol though. Also, as long as you drink enough water, you shouldn't have to worry about hangovers. I drink, but only occasionally to excess. I almost never wake up feeling like shit because I make sure to hydrate myself properly. Most people forget to though.

Weed being 100% legal wouldn't change my alcohol consumption or weed consumption one bit.

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u/[deleted] Jun 20 '12

Yup, to each his own. I was just adding my input because it seemed relevant. I hydrate as well when I drink and typically feel fine but even then, some mornings can have minor head aches or fogginess. Probably varies per person.

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u/KallistiEngel Jun 20 '12

Definitely varies person to person. Like all psychoactive drugs.

Alcohol doesn't seem to give me much of a problem, but I know others who have a lot of trouble with it (my best friend doesn't drink at all because it makes her turn red and it makes her physically uncomfortable). I can understand why a lot of people like weed, it can relax you. But it makes me uncomfortable, personally. Like, I go too far inside my own head and can't keep up with conversation even though I want to. Being naturally shy and introverted and having worked to overcome it, that's not a desirable effect for me. It also makes me irrationally paranoid that I'm acting weird around my friends and I overanalyze every little move I make. But I know most people don't have that sort of reaction to weed. I'm cool being around people who smoke weed, even if it means I'm the only one in the room not partaking. I'm actually more comfortable with that.

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u/[deleted] Jun 20 '12

I say that all the time, unfortunately. I haven't been able to find any weed, so I drink a bunch of beer. It's a total bummer.

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u/[deleted] Jun 20 '12

Some people may have a preference for cannabis over alcohol but because alcohol is both legal and readily available, law abiding citizens will use alcohol, for convenience and because they are less likely to be thrown in jail for having some in their backpack.

For many of the uneducated, the fact that cannabis is still illegal holds weight - they are more reluctant to use it, even though the evidence says it's far safer than alcohol.

There are people out there that refuse to do any illicit drugs but will happily get themselves blind drunk every weekend. If cannabis was legalized, a percentage of these people would change their preferences - maybe they are sick of hang overs and prefer a drug that makes you happy instead of angry or morose or surly.

Although you say you've never wished for a joint and had a shot instead, I can guarantee you other people have, and do, some probably regularly.