Here is some more information debunking the myth that marijuana is a gateway drug:

 

http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/factsmyths/#gateway

Myth: Marijuana is a Gateway Drug. Even if marijuana itself causes minimal harm, it is a dangerous substance because it leads to the use of "harder drugs" like heroin, LSD, and cocaine.

 

Fact: Marijuana does not cause people to use hard drugs. What the gateway theory presents as a causal explanation is a statistic association between common and uncommon drugs, an association that changes over time as different drugs increase and decrease in prevalence. Marijuana is the most popular illegal drug in the United States today. Therefore, people who have used less popular drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and LSD, are likely to have also used marijuana. Most marijuana users never use any other illegal drug. Indeed, for the large majority of people, marijuana is a terminus rather than a gateway drug.

 

The link provides citations & references, also.

 

I understand that many hardcore drug abusers lend credence to the "gateway theory". It is my opinion (and scientific research backs me up) that the gateway theory is more of an excuse for bad choices than it is anything else.

Here is some more information debunking the myth that marijuana is a gateway drug:

 

http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/factsmyths/#gateway

Myth: Marijuana is a Gateway Drug. Even if marijuana itself causes minimal harm, it is a dangerous substance because it leads to the use of "harder drugs" like heroin, LSD, and cocaine.

 

Fact: Marijuana does not cause people to use hard drugs. What the gateway theory presents as a causal explanation is a statistic association between common and uncommon drugs, an association that changes over time as different drugs increase and decrease in prevalence. Marijuana is the most popular illegal drug in the United States today. Therefore, people who have used less popular drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and LSD, are likely to have also used marijuana. Most marijuana users never use any other illegal drug. Indeed, for the large majority of people, marijuana is a terminus rather than a gateway drug.

 

The link provides citations & references, also.

 

I understand that many hardcore drug abusers lend credence to the "gateway theory". It is my opinion (and scientific research backs me up) that the gateway theory is more of an excuse for bad choices than it is anything else.

 

I will let the young lady know she is wrong about her life and from this study, you know better.

LBBC - you understand the concept of "exception to the rule," right?

I will let the young lady know she is wrong about her life and from this study, you know better.

 

Would you like to address the substance of my post?

Actually I'd like to get back to Habib's original 2 part question.

 

Agreeing or disagreeing with legalization of marijuanna is half the question. The other half is: Is this a state issue and California has the right under the constitution to make it legal or is this the federal governments call.

 

I personally am not in favor of legalizing it. However, I believe this falls outside the jurisdiction of the constitution and is a state level issue.

 

I feel this way about many, many things. Some that I agree with, and some that I don't agree with.

Actually I'd like to get back to Habib's original 2 part question.

 

Agreeing or disagreeing with legalization of marijuanna is half the question. The other half is: Is this a state issue and California has the right under the constitution to make it legal or is this the federal governments call.

 

I personally am not in favor of legalizing it. However, I believe this falls outside the jurisdiction of the constitution and is a state level issue.

 

I feel this way about many, many things. Some that I agree with, and some that I don't agree with.

 

I do not see much of a difference betweem it and alcohol for example. I think it is a state level issue.

I do not see much of a difference betweem it and alcohol for example. I think it is a state level issue.

 

Not making fun of you, it's just a typo. But when I read that. I heard Lilly Von Schtupp from Blazing Saddles in my head say "Betweem" and I had to laugh.:lol:

Edited October 29, 201015 yr by coldweatherfan

In the end, doesn't everything...smoking marijuana, drinking, doing harder drugs....all boil down to personal choice and decision making? I aways am confused why marijuana is considered a gateway drug, but not drinking beer. It seems to me that no matther what, legal or illegal, you can't blame a substance on the abuse. The blame lies solely with the individual who chose to partake, and from that point, chose to abuse.

In the end, doesn't everything...smoking marijuana, drinking, doing harder drugs....all boil down to personal choice and decision making? I aways am confused why marijuana is considered a gateway drug, but not drinking beer. It seems to me that no matther what, legal or illegal, you can't blame a substance on the abuse. The blame lies solely with the individual who chose to partake, and from that point, chose to abuse.

 

So, all guns should be legal to own since it is the individuals choice on how to use them.

So, all guns should be legal to own since it is the individuals choice on how to use them.

 

I've never fought for guns to be illegal. I've fought for tougher legislation to ensure that they are used responsibly. Barking up the wrong tree on that one.

In the end, doesn't everything...smoking marijuana, drinking, doing harder drugs....all boil down to personal choice and decision making? I aways am confused why marijuana is considered a gateway drug, but not drinking beer. It seems to me that no matther what, legal or illegal, you can't blame a substance on the abuse. The blame lies solely with the individual who chose to partake, and from that point, chose to abuse.

 

If pot was to become legal. IMO over time it would quickly become thought of as fine. To me, the difference between the beer and pot comparison is simply that one is legal and one isn't.

 

There are a lot of people who simply won't break the law. Which is also a personal choice, and a good one IMO.

I will let the young lady know she is wrong about her life and from this study, you know better.

 

The only thing that lead her to using more hard core drugs and eventually selling was her own stupidity. She can blame it on marijuana if it makes her feel better but the fact is marijuana being a gate way drug is nothing more then a myth. She chose to smoke pot. She chose to do other drugs. She chose to sell drugs. The friends she chose has more to do with her eventually doing harder drugs then marijuana.

So, all guns should be legal to own since it is the individuals choice on how to use them.

 

Your analogy works both ways: Should all guns be illegal because a few cannot handle them properly?

 

Analogies detract from the substantive issues at hand. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the articles & posts which clarify the "gateway theory".

The only thing that lead her to using more hard core drugs and eventually selling was her own stupidity. She can blame it on marijuana if it makes her feel better but the fact is marijuana being a gate way drug is nothing more then a myth. She chose to smoke pot. She chose to do other drugs. She chose to sell drugs. The friends she chose has more to do with her eventually doing harder drugs then marijuana.

 

There's a lot of truth in that post.

Your analogy works both ways: Should all guns be illegal because a few cannot handle them properly?

 

Analogies detract from the substantive issues at hand. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the articles & posts which clarify the "gateway theory".

 

Studies and articles are just what they are. Studies and articles. I was told in my teaching classes that you ignore the behavior and the child will stop because they are just seeking your attention. You know how often that works? Still waiting for that first time.