Studies about risks or benefits to our health flow weekly from research about what we eat, drink or even inhale. In many cases, these studies tend to often contradict other studies, causing no shortage of confusion and inevitable concern. Research on the consumption of alcohol is no different. In 2011, the World Health Organization warned that alcohol causes nearly 4 percent of deaths worldwide, more than AIDS, tuberculosis or violence. On the other hand, University of California researchers found that moderate beer consumption may help fight osteoporosis, a disease of the skeletal system characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. However, the same researchers also found that even one glass of wine with dinner, if you’re 55 or older, may hit you hard enough to make you a dangerous driver. A 2010 study by British researchers concluded that heavy alcohol consumption is more harmful than illegal drugs like heroin and crack cocaine. Yet, other medical researchers have found that moderate consumption of red wine can actually improve heart health, although it may also put older adults with heart disease or diabetes at risk of developing a common form of arrhythmia. However, it has been discovered that heavier drinkers were less likely to have a heart attack. Go figure!
Let’s face it, despite all the warnings about drinking too much alcohol, governments continue to make money on its distribution — much like tobacco. Indeed, today the U.S. government recommends no more than 14 drinks weekly for men and 7 drinks weekly for women. In Canada, it’s 15 drinks weekly for men and 10 drinks weekly for women. Some other European countries set even higher upper limits for men. Considering myself to be a moderate drinker, I found these recommended limits to be somewhat high. One might even suggest that at these rates of consumption there is a real danger of developing the condition referred to as alcoholic liver cirrhosis. According to the American Liver Foundation, between 10 and 20 percent of heavy drinkers will develop such liver cirrhosis.
Now, North Americans have been drinking some form of alcoholic beverage for centuries. It’s a perfectly legal and acceptable pastime activity. While there are legal restrictions and age limits, there is little doubt that people are introduced to alcohol in their early teens. It’s only in the last few decades that societies have begun to actually examine the potential health and safety risks associated with drinking alcohol. It’s only in recent years that legislators and law enforcement have tackled the self-evident dangers linked to drinking and driving. Numerous campaigns — some fairly successful — have emerged addressing these dangers and their tragic consequences on our highways.
Given the history surrounding alcohol consumption and abuse in North American, I predict that we will see a similar pattern in how we treat recreational marijuana use. I’ve seen estimates that up to ninety percent of North American adults consume some form of alcohol, moderately or heavily. While recreational marijuana use may not reach the same levels of usage, we will see more research emerging as to what are the benefits and the risks. I also predict that, just as in case of alcohol studies, there will be results reflecting both the potential benefits and risks of marijuana use. One can only hope that they are not as confusing as the past contradictory findings of studies on alcohol consumption. Somehow, I’m not very optimistic. Even with negative results, I suspect that alcohol and marijuana use will never be banned. Instead, each individual will continue to have to weigh the benefits and risks for themselves. As a result, do we really need any more studies?
