A recent study of dead drivers in an Ohio county found that 42 percent were positive for THC, the intoxicating chemical in marijuana. Pot apologists quickly noted that THC can be detected for up to a month after use. But the national past 30-day marijuana use rate is only 16 percent, and these drivers had average THC levels 5 to 10 times the state legal limit.

Less attention was given to a global study released last week on life expectancy, which showed one notable exception to the broad improvements: Teens and young adults in western countries are dying at higher rates, driven largely by suicides and substance use. And that of course includes alcohol, but marijuana use is actually associated with more alcohol consumption.

Marijuana users are five times more likely to become alcoholics. Up to 40 percent of marijuana users use daily, and up to 30 percent meet criteria for addiction — both far higher percentages than for drinkers. Using alcohol to excuse marijuana use or legalization is simply an exercise in lazy whataboutism.

There is another important difference between the two: Nearly every civilization in........

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