Even though cannabis has never caused or has been related to any deaths, the plant is still incredibly misunderstood by the US government who’s reluctant to admit that their system of categorizing drugs is wrong and outdated. In the Drugs of Abuse Resource Guide, the DEA’s own guide of drugs, marijuana is categorized as a Schedule I type of drug suggesting that it’s more dangerous than cocaine, meth, fentanyl and tons of other deadly drugs. The US government is still blind and deaf to the evolving opinions of the world regarding cannabis and to its progress.
Check out this wild list of drugs that the DEA considers less dangerous than marijuana:
Benzodiazepines Â
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Commonly referred to as Benzos and categorized as Schedule IV, these drugs are psychoactive and are found in many anti-anxiety medicines like Xanax and Valium. They’re kind of a mystery, in terms of how they work, but scientists agree that they affect neurotransmitters like GABA. Benzos suppress the activity of these neurotransmitters and help people cope with anxiety and the overactivity of these nerves. These drugs have a lot of potential for abuse and are responsible for the deaths of over 8,000 americans.
Cocaine
Categorized as a Schedule II type of drug, cocaine is a stimulant and a highly addictive drug that has some therapeutical uses, but is mostly considered illegal due to its dangerous side effects that include violent behavior, paranoia and tremors. In 2011, more than 4,000 people died from cocaine overdose. Overdoses from this drug can also lead to cardiac and respiratory arrests, and strokes.
Fentanyl
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Categorized a a Schedule II drug, Fentanyl is one of the strongest opiates available. This drug is normally used for treating pain after surgeries because it produces a strong and immediate effect (about 50 times stronger than morphine) that doesn’t last very long, which is also why it’s so dangerous and addictive. Fentanyl is responsible for over 10,000 deaths a year.
Methamphetamine
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Part of the Schedule II category, this drug is a stimulant that can be snorted, smoked, swallowed or injected. It’s highly addictive because it increases the production of dopamine and can lead to death, strokes, heart attacks and organ failure.
Morphine
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One of the oldest pharmaceuticals in history, morphine was widely misused and caused the deaths of thousands of patients. Nowadays, doctors prescribe it with much more care, yet it’s still considered pretty dangerous.
Oxycodone
Originally developed as a less addictive and dangerous version of morphine and heroin, oxycodone is just as powerful but easier to acquire, which is why is referred to as “Hillbilly Heroin.” Statistics claim it kills around 5,000 americans a year.
