A recent article in the New York Times by Susan Dominus chronicled the ongoing, multi-decade conversation around the degree to which alcohol is bad (or good) for you. It’s a nuanced perspective as it lends context to some well publicized health research that is often headline driven.
Dominus also blends in a societal component with respect to how alcohol has always also had a social aspect to it, whether at weddings or sporting events, or dinner parties. There’s also the line of thinking that alcohol consumption leads to problems that are greater than those of the individual who is consuming it. This factors in the dangers associated with drunk driving and other ways that drinking may cause issues at large.
While cannabis isn’t explicitly mentioned in the article, what is discussed is the notion that people have historically turned to alcohol for many reasons and no matter how you slice it, the health issues surrounding alcohol consumption, particularly for people who imbibe everyday, is increasingly concerning.
I believe one of the reasons that marijuana is gaining so much traction and momentum towards being legalized federally is that it achieves most (if not all) of the upside of consuming alcohol, without the liver-destroying effects.
The societal stigma of using cannabis has been diminishing for many years. Part of its exciting future includes helping people make the transition away from alcohol. Here at Older Stoners we look forward to leading the way.