I’ve been ready to write this column for a long time, and finally President Barack Obama gave me a reason to do so.

In an interview with The New Yorker, Obama said, “I don’t think [marijuana] is more dangerous than alcohol.”

Finally, justice is served. The president of the United States just said an illegal substance is not any more dangerous than a legal substance. Regardless of how everyone feels about his statement, he is the leader of this country, and one of the most influential men in the world. He also happens to be right. 

Most people know the consequences of alcohol. Drink too much and your body can’t metabolize it fast enough, leading to alcohol poisoning and, if severe enough, death. 

Moderate drinking causes its fair share of deaths by impairing judgment, which sometimes leads to drinking and driving deaths that are all too common in this country. Additionally, alcohol pairs horribly with medication already in your body. It increases the drug’s activity levels and can have severe side effects. The Centers for Disease Control reported that alcohol-related deaths number 88,000 per year. 

Obama knew what he was talking about. 

The short-term health effects of marijuana are some impaired balance and coordination, but it is much more difficult to overdose on marijuana than it is to overdose on alcohol. Those arguing against marijuana state that there is a risk of hurting oneself or possibly having unprotected sex. However, both of these consequences are magnified with alcohol use. 

Long-term marijuana health effects were thought to be similar to cigarettes, but recent studies have found marijuana doesn’t have the same effects as cigarettes because of the beneficial compounds in marijuana. 

The sole argument to gain some ground concerns how marijuana can impair psychological development at young ages. It can interfere with the development of the brain and exaggerate those already predisposed for development disorders. 

Aside from the developmental issues argument, which also applies to alcohol use, Obama knew he was joining the right side of the argument. 

Marijuana not only has fewer consequences, but also has some benefits associated with it. The compounds found in pot help those with glaucoma, diabetes, cancer and multiple sclerosis, while alcohol has few advantages, and the benefits associated with alcohol only come with people who drink moderately. 

Marijuana holds out above alcohol without a question, but with an asterisk. The research surrounding alcohol is extremely plentiful, while we have a very small amount of similar data about marijuana. The new laws across the country have given researchers the chance to study injuries, accidents, mental illnesses and teen use and give us a better understanding of the entire picture. 

I can’t visualize a way research will demonize marijuana to make it sound worse than alcohol, but I don’t want to jinx anything. Regardless, Obama made one of the most dangerous statements ever made by a president. 

I strongly believe his side of the argument, but, despite anything he says, marijuana is still predominantly illegal while alcohol is legal. His statement contradicts current policy and practically insults the U.S. government, but he had every right to make the statement.

Policymakers should use this as motivation and get a move on with marijuana policy across the country. Whether it’s the recent success in Colorado or the recent statement by Obama, politicians need to realize we have a backward policy and fix it as soon as possible.