It is possible to damage your lungs by smoking cannabis. A person can't die from drinking alcohol. Over time and with regular use, people tend to need more of a drug to get the same 'high' they got when they first started using the drug. A 12 oz bottle of beer contains about the same amount of pure alcohol as a 5 oz glass of wine. A person dependent on drugs experiences both physical and psychological dependence, regardless of the drug used.
Some psychoactive drugs are illegal, such as cannabis and cocaine.
Other psychoactive drugs are legal, such as alcohol, tobacco, and certain medications, although they are regulated in various ways. Psychoactive drugs may also have a damaging effect on physical health. Immediately after using marijuana, short-term memory may be impaired. Regular, heavy use may continue to inhibit memory, concentration, and ability to understand complex information. These problems tend to clear up when marijuana use stops, although it may take months.