CNN Poll: Majority Say Alcohol, Tobacco More Risky Than Marijuana

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Most Americans believe marijuana is less dangerous than alcohol and tobacco, and should be legal too.

For long, marijuana advocates have argued that other legally available substances pose more harm to one’s health.

A new poll of over 1,000 adults shows most Americans would agree.

Conducted by CNN and ORC International, the results, released on Monday, show that 73% of Americans think alcohol is more dangerous than marijuana. Only 12% say the opposite.

The poll also found 64% believe “tobacco products” pose more danger than marijuana, while 23% say the opposite.

CNN Polling Director Keating Holland said it was a “logical conclusion” to think that marijuana, if safer, should be legal too. Each year, cigarettes claim 440,000 lives in the U.S. and 88,000 die from alcohol-related causes.

Still, America’s stance on marijuana legalization remains strongly divided, with 55% in favor and 44% against.

A similar Gallup poll conducted in October found 58% in favor of legalization.

The CNN/ORC poll was conducted Jan 3-5, 2014 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3%.

Source Leaf Science