The United States is slowly progressing to treat Marijuana and Alcohol the same as far as regulation and criminal punishment.
Both are based on an individuals characteristics and tolerance.
Both can negatively affect brain development and possible lead to addiction.
Both are depressants meant to relax the individual
Both have long term effects that can possibly lead to death/suicidal ideations
Both have similar concerns that include anxiety, insomnia, fast heart rate, dependency and much more.
Both are highly addictive and are often classified as the two worst drugs that a human could be on both mentally and physically.
Shows a large disparity in regulation but a lot of similarities in concerns and effects.
Both have forms that easily accessible to almost anyone, but Inhalants have a much more harmful effect.
Smoking Marijuana and cigarettes can appear very similar in the way it is smoked. Both can be rolled and smoke, smoked with hookah, or with vaping products.
Both have classifications that are meant to relax an individual and increase their attention, or "wake them up".
Both have routes of administration that can be consumed in the same way despite the fact that they are two very different drugs.
Both cause users to see and hear thing that are not actually there. It also seems like anxiety and hallucinations go hand-in-hand.

Alchohol

Classification

Depressant

Impaired motor skills

Confusion

Slurred speech

Cognitive and memory impairment

Relaxation

Low blood pressure

Routes of Administration

Oral ingestion

Concerns

Long-term

Addiction

Dependence

Financial burden

Negatively effects brain development

Increases criminal behavior

Public intoxication

Assault/fighting

DUII

Short-term

Binge drinking

May result in alcohol poisoning

Hangover

Headache, vomiting, nausea

Effects

Long-Term

Addiction

Depression

Potential for brain, liver and other organ damage

Unintentional injuries

Short-Term

Decreased motor functions

Decreased heart rate

Blackouts

Unconsciousness

How it works

Alcohol can have a different affect on individuals based on their weight, age, and gender.

Once alcohol is consumed, it moves through the blood stream and affects the brain.

The liver then processes and metabolizes the alcohol and allows it to pass through the system.

Regulations

Must be 21 years of age in the United States to purchase.

Canada/Mexico is 18.

Common Types

Hard Liquor

Gin

Rum

Tequila

Vodka

Whiskey

Cognac

Wine

Red wine

Merlot

Cab Sauvigon

Zinfandel

White wine

Pinot Blanc

Chardonnay

Moscato

Beer

Ales

Lagers

Malts

How it's used

Drink it

To celebrate

Socialize

Coping mechanism

Relaxation

Burn it

Renewable resource

Dissolve it

Perfumes

Cosmetics

Vanilla Extracts

Rubbing alcohol

Main topic

Marijuana

Effects

Short-term

Anxiety

Paranoia

Altered memory

Altered motor skills/attention

Hallucinations

Long-term

Impaired ability to learn

Possible addiction

Financial difficulties

Breathing problems

Decrease in IQ

Regulation

Marijuana is legal in but 10 US states for individuals 21 years old.

Classification

Depressant

Relaxation

Dizziness

Sleepiness

short term memory loss

Hallucinogen

Dry mouth

Nausea

Loss of motor skills

Detachment from self

Stimulant

Rapid heartbeat

Elevated mood

Paranoia

Common forms

Marijuana (flowers and buds)

Liquid

Concentrates

Oils

Hash/wax

Concerns

Short-term

Impairs learning capabilities and performance.

Long-term

Possible addiction

Lack of motivation in life

Increased agression

May lead to dependence in other drugs

Smoking

Drinking

Other, more harmful, drugs

How it works

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is the main chemical compound found in Marijuana.

When it enters the blood stream or is inhaled, it influences how the brain receptors communicate with the body. Giving people that "high" feeling.

How it's used

Eaten

Brownies

Burgers

Ice cream

Candy

Smoked

Joints/blunts

Pipes/water pipe

Bong

Vaporized

Vape pen

E-cigarette

Topicals

Lotion

Oils

Bath salts

Routes of Administration

Smoking

Vaping

Eating (edibles)

Tobacco

Common Forms

Cigarettes

leaf tobacco

Chew

loose leaf/fine cut

Water-pipe/Hookah

liquid

How it's used

Smoked

Cigarettes

Cigars

Bidis

Pipe/Hookah

Vape/E-Cigarette

Chewed

Chewing tobacco

Snus

Sniffed

Snuff

Classification

Stimulant

Elevates heart rate

Elevates blood pressure

Constricts blood vessels

Elevated mood

Increased attention

Regulation

Tobacco is available for purchase for individuals 21 years of age or older in every state but the following where it has been lowered to 18:

Arkansas

California

Delaware

Illinois

New Jersey

Massachusetts

Oregon

Hawaii

Maine

Utah

Washington

Virginia

How it works

Absorbs into the blood stream when smoked, chewed, or sniffed.

Nicotine stimulates the adrenal glands an releases adrenaline. This also activates the brain's reward circuits and increases the levels of the chemical messengers dopamine.

Effects

Short-term

Addiction

Respiratory system damage

Decreased lung capacity

Bronchitis

Long-term

Increased risk of stroke/brain damage

Teeth decay/tooth damage

cancer

stomach ulcers

eye cataracts

Concerns

Short-term

Loss of sense of smell/taste

Shortness of breath

irregular periods

high blood pressure

Long-term

Cancer

Heart disease

Lower fertility and increased risk of miscarriage

Addiction/Dependence

Osteoporosis

Asthma

Subtopic

Routes of Administration

Smoking

Chewing

Vaping/water-pipe

Sniffing

Caffeine

Common Forms

Coffee

Tea

Hot chocolate

Soda

Chocolate

Energy drinks

Prescription/ Non prescription medications.

How it's used

Drink it

Coffee/energy drinks is the most common form of this

It may be used to subside headaches, improve asthma, athletic performance, and possibly reducing diabetes.

Eat it

Chocolate is one of the most common forms of snacks

It is also widely craved by children

Medications and prescriptions often contain caffeine

Classification

Stimulant

Elevated mood

Increased attention

Refreshed

Anxious

Difficulty sleeping

Higher body temperature

Regulation

Caffeine is recognized as "safe"

Some regulations require that visible labels be displayed on items containing caffeine to prevent overconsumption.

No set age regulations.

How it works

When consumed, it stimulates the central nervous system, heart, muscles, and the centers that control blood pressure.

May also raise blood pressure and increase urine flow.

Effects

Short-term

Dehydration

Headache

irritability

heartburn

Upset stomach/Diarrhea

Long-term

Disrupted sleep

Dependency

High blood pressure

Nervousness/Anxiety

Concerns

Long-term

Tremors

fast heart rate

increased urination

Nervousness

Anxiety

Insomnia

Short-term

Contraction of muscles

Increased heart rate

Slowing blood flow to stomach

Constriction of blood vessels

breathing tubes open up

Routes of Administration

Oral Ingestion

Methamphetamine

How it's used

Swallowed

Injected

Snorted

Smoked

Effects

Short term

Loss of appetite

Dilation of pupils

Disturbed sleep

Convulsions/seizures

Long term

High blood pressure

Liver/kidney damage

Severe tooth decay

Stron psychological dependence

Damage to brain

Alzheimer's

Stroke

Epilepsy

Classification

Stimulant

Increased physical activity

Decreased appetite

Rapid/ Irregular heartbeat

Increased blood pressure

Increased body temperatureregukre

Regulation

Meth is illegal in the US except when give as a prescription.

The DEA classifies methamphetamine as a schedule II controlled substance, second highest classification there is.

How it works

Increases the amount of natural chemical dopamine in the brain.

Dopamine is involved in the body movement, motivation, and reinforcement of rewarding behaviors, and meth allows high levels of it to be released.

Common forms

Crystalline powder

Crystal meth (looks like crystals)

Pills

Concerns

Short term

Can cause a "rush"

Increase productivity/alertness

irregular heartbeat

irritability/ confusion

Tremors

Addiction

Long-term

Violent behavior

Psychotic behavior

Hallucinations

Delusions/Paranoia

Homicidal/Suicidal thoughts

Addiction

Routes of Administration

Oral (medication)

Injection

Snorting

Smoking

Inhalants (Gases)

Common forms

House hold materials

Butane lighters

Propane tanks

Whipped cream aerosols or dispensers (whippets)

Regulation

Inhalants are not regulated under the controlled substance act. However, the US has placed restrictions on the number of products that can be purchased per individual depending on the product.

Restrictions have also been set in place to prevent minors from accessing certain products.

Classification

Depressant

Impaired motor skills

Relaxation

Low blood pressure

Poor concentration

Fatigue

Dilated pupils

Concerns

Short term

Slurred/distorted speech

Lack of coordination

Dizziness

Hostility

Prolong sniffing

Long term

Liver/Kidney damage

Hearing loss

Bone marrow damage

Permanent nerve damage

Brain damage

How it works

Affects the nervous system rapidly as it is snorted/inhaled into the blood stream.

Inhalants slow down brain activity and produce the drunk like appearance and loss of consciousness.

How it's used

Sniffing

Snorting

Bagging

Huffing

Effects

Short term

Drunk apperance

Hallucinations

Severe headaches

Unconsciousness

Heart failure

Death by suffocation

Long term

Muscle weakness

Disorientation

Depression

Memory impairment

Death by asphyxiation

Routes of Administration

Sniffing/snorting or inhaling

Huffing (inhalant soaked rag stuffed in mouth)

Opioids

How it works

Opioids act on opioid receptors in both the spinal cord and brain to reduce the intensity of pain-signal perceptions.

it also affects the brain areas control of emotion, which can further diminish the effects of painful stimuli and create relaxation or a "high" feeling.

Effects

Short-term

Drowsiness

Constipation

Nausea

Coma

Long-term

Dependence/addiction

Restlessness

Muscle/bone pain

Vomiting/Cold flashes

Concerns

Short-term

Lethargy

Paranoia

Severe itching

heart functions slow

Dry mouth

Long term

Abdominal distention

Liver damage

Brain damage

Developing a tolerance

Dependence

Routes of administration

Oral ingestion

Smoked

Snorted

Injected

Common Forms

Natural

Morphine

Codeine

Thebaine

Semi-synthetic/Manmade

Hydrocodone

Oxycodone

Heroin

Hydromorphone

Fully Synthetic

Fentanyl

Pethidine

Methadone

Tramadol

How it's used

Medically

relieves pain

Relaxes body

As a drug (Heroin)

Injected

Smoked

Snorted

Classification

Depressant

Relaxation

Sleepiness

Impaired motor skills

Low blood pressure

Dilated pupils

Regulation

Federal law states that opioids may be used for extended periods of time to treat patients with intractable pain.

Any use outside of the medial field is considered illegal for all ages in the United States.

Psychedelics

How it works

Change and enhance sensory perceptions, thought processes, energy levels and spiritual experiences.

Simulate and suppress the activity of neurotransmitters they are chemically similar to. This causes a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Effects

Short-term

Closeness to others

Openness

Enhance emotional empathy

Distorted sense of space/time

Long-term

Flashback

Anxiety

Nightmares

Paranoia

Seizures

Headaches

Concerns

Short-term

Impaired judgement

Hallucinations leading to bad decision making

Hallucinations making you see things that are not there/not happening

Seizures

Severe anxiety

Long-term

Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder

Blindness

Vascular problems

Memory loss

Depression

Routes of administration

Oral Ingestion

Injected

Snorted/Huffed

Eaten/drank

Common form

LSD

Powder/Liquid

Mushrooms

Molly/Ecstasy

Pills

Ketamine

Psilocybin

How it's used

Smoked

Drank

Eaten

Injected

Snorted

Huffed

Classification

Hallucinogen

Hear sounds

Rapid mood swings

Seeing things

See people that are not there

Intestinal muscle control

Regulation

LSD and Psilocybin are Schedule 1 Drugs and have a high potential for abuse. There is no accepted medial treamtent for these drugs in the US right not.