Wednesday, April 29, 2009

People Poll Question of the Day

Wednesday, April 29, 2009


Though we all have our vices, some are worse than others. Many exist in the world, but to simplify this discussion we'll focus on two: weed and liquor. In answering today's discussion question please feel free to draw from personal experiences/anecdotes or those of people in your lives.

Today's question is simple: Is it worse to be a pothead (read: heavy smoker) or an alcoholic (read: heavy drinker)? While we're at it please also tell me if you think one is more socially accepted than the other.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm much more comfortable defining a pothead than I am defining an alcoholic. That probably has a lot to do with me being a relative non-drinker. However, to focus our discussion, let's define a pothead/alcoholic as one who in 30 calendar days enjoys their respective vice on at least 20 of them. I'm not married to either definition, so feel free to include your own if you disagree with mine.

Thoughts? Oh, and if you're going to respond, then actually pick one. Washes don't fly here.

14 comments:

kennyking78 said...

I can't say that I agree with the 20 day defintion. I have seen addiction and I really have no problem with functioning addicts. I only become concerned or think people should become concerned when the addiciton starts to interfere with everyday life.

If I have to side with one, it would have to be alcohol. I do enjoy my drink, I am not even going to lie. hahaha

I think it is more socially acceptable because it has permeated all adult social functions (work included) and one is not tested for it like he is screened for drugs (pot-included) for most jobs.

Unknown said...

I would say the worst out of the two would be the alcohol...

Anonymous said...

While alcohol is more socially acceptable than gunja, I'd choose the latter. It's [slightly] healthier and the "crash" is less intense than alcohol with no hangovers. Now, an IMPORTANT thing to remember: Don't smoke weed if you've had a lot to drink. It will give you the "spins". For real for real.

PRIMO said...

As Someone who is related to both lol. I Know people who drink and smoke 365 & 1/4th out the year I think its socially accepted to Smoke more than Drink. I personally think its worse to be either. Both have their cons but alcoholics seem to have it worse at times. I Love me some weed though I haven't smoked in 6 months.... hopefully that wont change this weekend lol. But I also like to drink. When I leave one alone I tend to do the other more. And when I'm doing both Its A Par-Tay!!! All in all though I think it depends on the person and how they handle themselves when under the influence. If a person can maintain and be reasonable than it isnt a big deal to me... Its when they start to do things that affect their life negatively then I consider it a problem....

Unknown said...

By virtue of what's LEGAL, I'd say you're in worse shape to be a pothead. You can keep your job if it's discovered you drink; you can be seen drinking by colleagues and it's all good...but when you're talking about illegal substances - yes, even marijuana - you're dealing with another animal. Besides, I've always liked my alcohol high better. Weed makes me hungry, silly and sleepy. Not quite in that order...and we won't even talk about when I mix the two...HOLD ON TO SOMETHING!!

Anonymous said...

Potheads stink, and those yellow eyes and nails..GROSS

Or is that crack..IDK?

Unknown said...

POTHEAD...EWWWW Horrible and when I mean horribe I mean horrible, the smell,A MESS. My roommate and my brother smoke. Not a cute thing to deal with. I digress.

bLaQ~n~MiLD said...

When I was in college I used to smoke weed every now and again and it always made me sick. Like I'd throw up. It just doesn't work for me. Now drinkin, Imma fish and can drink most people under the table. I have always said that I'm what you call a functioning alcoholic. I drink more than the average person, but it doesn't interfere with me handling my business (ie: work, personal commitments, etc). Conversely, I've made a conscious decision decrease my consumption of alcohol just because I'm not as young as I used to be and it's not the healthiest.

Having said that, in terms of it's legality alcohol is better than weed. In terms of it's social acceptance, in all honesty anything can be bad if not done in moderation.


~Damnit!

That Dude Right There said...

They both can fuck you up!! But just because alcohol is legal, i'll say that weed is the worse choice.

BPS 4.0 : Soul Exposure said...

It's worse to be an alcoholic because they can be violent, cause an accident that kills others, make a plum fool of themselves, and just hurt others (I know from having to live with one).

But it is more socially acceptable to be an alcoholic or borderline one. I can't see a pothead at the company Christmas party but the alcoholic can be a joy to watch, quite entertaining.

Dr.Friday said...

I would have to say that being an alcoholic is worse IMO. I would make a primarily medical based case, citing particularly the long-term mental, physical, and societal effects of alcohol abuse.

I would cite personal experiences as to why I view alcoholics in a horrible light. Seeing certain relatives act a fool in public after having a few drinks as well as seeing one older relative literally crawl from the car up the sidewalk to the front door has absolutely cemented in my mind the dangers of alcohol abuse. Let's not even mention certain friends of mine who make totally horrific decisions when drunk (as well as vomit on you by accident). lol

Yet, alcoholics are more socially acceptable than potheads. I really can’t understand why. Let’s not even bring up the hypocrisy of criminalizing marijuana while allowing widespread alcohol sale and consumption…..that is debate for another day.

yet another black guy said...

daddy needs his drank!

KAOS said...

My name is ka-os and I am an alcoholic.

I'm a drunk and an unfit mother. The sooner you put me in a sanitarium the better it'll be for all of us.

Oh, is that another epiosde? Sorry.

I've never smoked anything, but like my drink. Hell, I'm knocking back a bottle of chardonnay right this very minute. Purely from having observed weed smokers, I can't say one is worse than the other. Both damage and poison the body, the extent to which depends on how much you smoke/drink.

We're all going to die of swine flu anyway apparently, so who the hell cares?

Mr. Jones said...

Thanks to all that responded. The consensus seems to be that drinker is the better evil. I disagree.

**rolls a phatty and blows smoke at all of you**

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