Marijuana's Facade as a Dangerous Drug

Many are under the impression that marijuana is bad for their physical health; and society likes to keep this impression of cannabis in existence. According to, the SAFER organization, “excessive alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States and is associated with multiple adverse health consequences, including liver cirrhosis, various cancers, unintentional injuries, and violence,” while the most dangerous health risk from marijuana are slight damage to the airways over a prolonged period of time.

The image to the right is the book cover of a novel co-written by the leaders at NORML, SAFER, and the Marijuana Policy Project (Steve Fox, Paul Armentano, and Mason Tvert). The actual visual itself is a clear cup of beer with a small red reflection surrounded by a dark black background. The image already foreshadows the cautioning and thought-provoking text. The lighting and use of the red and black accents make the beer seem dangerous and toxic. The photographer is using ethos to shed light (as shown by the spotlight over the cup) on the real issue at hand: alcohol consumption. The focus is taken off of weed and is reflected onto the risks that are associated with drinking. The depiction of the cup of beer is making alcohol seem like a more dangerous threat than weed could ever be. It makes people question the credibility of people who claim that weed is more dangerous than alcohol. While the beer imagery comes off strong, the weed symbol is barely visible, fading into the white background. This is implying that weed is not as dangerous, and perhaps is a lighter, less toxic drug.

The text shown in the image is very bold and graphic. “Marijuana is safer,” is shown with a white background, usually associated with purity and innocence. The word, “Safer,” is the largest word on the page, setting the grounds for the next argumentative statement. The text about beer is in the black background, denoting a perilous, cautionary connotation. The text in its entirety makes the viewer stand back and re-evaluate their stance on the topic.

Steve Fox, Paul Armentano, and Mason Tvert establish their own credibility based on what they have been arguing about and fighting for, for years. Their websites all have emblems, information, reports, statistics, and many other indicators of established groups. The argument on the cover of their book appeals to logos because it is presenting a logical argument that sets the grounds for more thought-provoking questions. It makes people re-evaluate their morals and ethics. In a very understated way, this image also appeals to pathos. It highlights the true hypocrisy of the subject; it exposes the downfalls of beer and evokes sympathy from the viewer because it makes people wonder how they ever allowed the government to let more dangerous substances fall into the hands of our people. One that is proven safer by numerous scientific studies is still banned. This provokes a very touchy argument about alcohol versus weed.

Gable, Robert. The American Scientist (Magazine of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society. May 2006. Web 27 Aug. 2010. <http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/num2/the-toxicity-of-recreational-drugs/1>

“Marijuana is Far Less Toxic and Addictive than Alcohol.” SAFERchoice.org. SAFER. Web. 26, Aug. 2010. http://www.saferchoice.org/content/view/24/53/#toxic

Borden, David. ‘New Book Offer: "Marijuana is Safer -- So Why Are We Driving People to Drink?"’ Drug War Chronicle. 11 Sep. 2009. Web. 27 Aug. 2010.