New York University researchers found that alcohol and marijuana produce different negative consequences for teens.

They found alcohol was associated with unsafe driving, damaged platonic and romantic relationships and resulted in other regrettable actions.

Marijuana, on the other hand, was associated with a worsening of relationships with authority figures, less energy and poorer performance in school.

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Researchers came-up with these conclusions by analyzing data gathered from around 7,400 high school seniors in the United States from 2007 to 2011. The students used alcohol or marijuana at least once.

"Nearly half of high school seniors have used marijuana in their lifetime and over two-thirds have used alcohol, but few studies have compared adverse psychosocial outcomes of alcohol and marijuana directly resulting from use," said study author Joseph Palamar, a researcher affiliated with the NYU Center for Drug Use and HIV Research.

Palamar said the most alarming discovery was that teens who drank alcohol frequently were 13 times more likely to drive recklessly.

Marijuana users were three times more likely to drive recklessly as a direct result of smoking the drug.

"Not unexpectedly, we found that the higher the frequency of use [of alcohol or pot], the higher the risk of reporting an adverse outcome," Palamar commented.

Of those surveyed, alcohol drinkers were more likely to say they regret some past actions compared to marijuana smokers.

Researchers involved in the study understand the possible use of the study in the debate over the safety of marijuana over alcohol and other substances.

Some insist marijuana incapacitates drivers because the drug affects peripheral vision; reduces decision-making abilities and slows-down reactions.

Some marijuana advocates believe those who smoke pot are more cautious on the road than sober drivers, with many opting to drive at a slower pace and allow more space between them and other cars.

The study was published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse last September 2.