While we'd like to feel all fist-pumpy about US attorney general nominee Loretta Lynch—she is after all, a badass woman of color wielding serious power in a paradigm decidedly stacked against her—her recent comments on marijuana being as dangerous as alcohol left a worst taste in our mouth than a gin-induced hangover.
When asked at a congressional hearing if she shared Obama's views that marijuana is on par with alcohol in terms of danger, which I imagine encompasses everything from potential death to addiction, she responded:
"I certainly don't hold that view and don't agree with that view of marijuana as a substance. I certainly think that the president was speaking from his personal experience and personal opinion—neither of which I am able to share."
Which is to say, she disagrees with facts and empirical literature.
According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Addiction, "Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States; 17.6 million people, or one in every 12 adults, suffer from alcohol abuse." here's some more charming facts about America's penchant for fire-water:
— 88,000 deaths are annually attributed to excessive alcohol use.
— Based on victim reports, alcohol use by the offender was a factor in 37% of rapes and sexual assaults.
— Alcohol is a factor in 40% of all violent crimes today.
You know how many marijuana-overdose deaths there are each year? 0. None. Unless you're talking about all those Cheetos-bingeing deaths I keep hearing about.
Here's a handy chart from Vox sourced from data from the CDC:
Oh Loretta. We so wanted to love you. Why you gotta be like that?
