With marijuana legalization initiatives sweeping the United States, more and more people are realizing the plant is a much safer medication than many prescription pills.

Painkillers and heroin have led to many deaths over the last few years; they are now among the leading cause of fatalities in the U.S. Alcohol abuse and/or related deaths are another concern for Americans. Marijuana has never caused any fatalities and is already saving lives.

A new survey conducted by the Centre for Addictions Research of BC shows the plants impact on both pharmaceutical and alcohol industries. The survey took over 400 adult cannabis users and found that 80% gave up their prescription medications once they started using medical marijuana. In most cases many cannabis users not only gave up prescription medications, but they also stopped the use of other drugs (like alcohol).