Marijuana as a Gateway Drug

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) is probably one of the most credible sources of information on the issue of substance abuse. For this article the survey conducted by the CASA had 1,987 teenagers participate to gain insight on marijuana use amongst the youth. CASA’s results where calculated in 2003 and the report was produce and copyright in 2004 making the information pertinent. Lynn Zimmer is a professor of sociology at Queens College in New York and coauthor of a book titled Marijuana Myths. Lynn’s resume speaks for itself making her knowledgably on the topic of marijuana use. This article could be look at as not

In modern society, marijuana is considered the “gateway” drug. Some of the women used marijuana first and then started using hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin while it was the other way around for some people. “For most women, their initial use of drugs occurred during adolescence and included alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana,” (Sterk, 24). They were introduced to drugs and alcohol at a young age by their peers, girlfriends, boyfriends, or relatives. Since they started at a young age, they become compulsive drug users. If they cut off their connections with these friends or relatives, they would’ve never had become users. Many women in FAST explained that their continued drug used depended on coincidence while others looked for situations where drugs would be available. This shows that they had a choice and decided to make the wrong one. As they continue to use more drugs, they can only identify themselves

On a more reasonable side to the argument, Deborah Peterson Small shines light on the factors that DuPont missed. The former director of public policy for the Drug Policy Alliance observes that, “...the real gateways to addiction are poverty, trauma, mental health problems and the effects of criminalization and stigma.” (Deborah Peterson Small, "Look at the Real Gateways to Drug Addiction.") Basically, Small looks at the real problems that can be prove to lead a more general group of people to experiment with drugs. Not just a high school kid who 's feeling a little rebellious and wants to see what the high life is all about. It is important to keep in mind that marijuana may enhance the brain’s reaction to other drugs, but it cannot make the brain want to try more drugs. The gateway to try other drugs is left open, it is a personal choice that can be made by anyone without the influence of marijuana. Whether it be a mental illness or difficult life situation, marijuana is not a gateway drug, so it was a well thought out decision to have it removed from the list of gateway drugs.

. . van, d. B. (2007). The association between conduct problems and the initiation and progression of marijuana use during adolescence: A genetic analysis across time. Behavior Genetics, 37(2), 314-25. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10519-006-9124-1 The researchers raise the question of how largely genetic factors play a role in the influence of marijuana use on the individual. Previous research suggests that there is not just one factor, but individuals are more likely to be environmentally influenced. The researchers challenge these findings and suggest that genetics has just as much influence on the individual. Using a longitudinal research design the authors investigated both genetic and environmental influences on the association between earlier conduct problems and the initiation and progression of marijuana use during adolescence. Bivariate genetic analyses were conducted to establish whether marijuana initiation and progression represented a single liability of risk or alternatively, whether these behaviors were more accurately represented as independent liabilities. These findings mark an important shift away from documenting cross-sectional associations between conduct problems and substance use, from which it is impossible to determine the direction of effects, toward the use

For centuries we have battled back and forth with the idea of legalizing marijuana (formally known as cannabis) for medical use. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classed marijuana as a “Schedule I drug which is defined as any drug, substance or chemicals with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” (Scheduling) Due to the classing of this drug, society has a preconceived notion without doing their own research and even if they do, they go into it subconsciously with a mindset of “this drug is addictive and dangerous,” without rhyme or reason.

The first and probably strongest argument against the legalization again recreational marijuana in Ohio is marijuana is a proven gateway drug to harsher and more dangerous drugs. Marijuana falls into one of the many drugs that falls under the gateway effect. The gateway effect is the idea that using one drug can lead to use of another drug i.e. marijuana can lead to use of LSD because of the similarities of psycho alternation caused between each drug. Jonathan P. Caulkins, Angela Hawken, Beau Kilmer, and Mark A.R. Kleiman, all professors specializing in public policy, describe the gateway effect in effect in their book

During this modern era it is highly likely that individuals during adolescence will begin to corrupt their minds by abusing drugs , including tobacco , alcohol and many other illegal prescriptions. The reason behind abusing drugs may vary from person to person however the coure foundation lies beneath the desire for new experiences , an attempt to deal with stress or depression and also peer pressure. Even though individuals strive to seek peace or joy through harmful substances in an unhealthy manner , there can be very serious long term consequences. Yet , many individuals start using “light” drugs and move on towards abusing deadly drugs . The gateway theory demonstrates a Popular theory that when adolescence use cannabis , later in life

Usually when society has a discussion about Tetrahydrocannabinol (formally known as marijuana or cannabis) in general, the conversation about the mostly illegal molecule or plant is usually associated with getting high, gang banging, and drug deals gone wrong. However, Naturally Perfected Movements will enlighten readers that this is not always the case. Many politicians, scientists, doctors, and everyday people seem to believe that Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a deadly, harmful substance that can diminish brain cells and could eventually lead to many psychological problems. If used irresponsibly, this could ultimately be somewhat the case. If used responsibly, marijuana could be the gateway to medical breakthroughs like it has been in the past and could become, if not already, one of the most trusted forms of medicine. Also, THC will bring in a prosperous amount of profit that could bring many states out of debt. It could also provide financial needs to impoverished school districts which would help students excel with a highly effective and efficient education. As well as, funding healthcare to those in need of a more sustainable way of affording healthcare. That is why THC should be granted legalization in the United States for medicinal, economical, and decriminalization reasons.

Thanks to Laura Appleton and Ericka Stange for comments on an earlier draft. Thanks also to Kirk Johnson for his assistance in locating criminal data sets.

The effect of Marijuana on American Society has been a highly popularized point of concern and discussion for many years. This topic has become more frequent in the past months as two states voters have allowed its widespread recreational and medicinal use. This research paper will focus on some of the history of marijuana, details of this drug, and conclude with my findings of why this drug has become increasingly popular which may surprise the reader.

First time marijuana use does not mean an individual will use harder drugs because people will use whatever drug is available when they are ready to experiment. According to data from the 2000 National Household Surveys on Drug Abuse

By the time Daiga was 12, she started smoking marijuana. She and her best friend found a large mason jar full of weed in her best friend’s older sister’s room. They wanted to try it, so they continued snooping and discovered a pipe and promptly went into her back yard and smoked. “We were both just waiting to feel something, but I don’t think I got high at all that first time. But after that, we would always try and smoke if we had the chance,” Daiga said. Most of the people interviewed who enjoy marijuana have started smoking at a younger age. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, this leads society to call it a ‘gateway drug’ because the use of marijuana is more likely to be used before

Even though it is illegal if the drug abusers have not been caught they will continue to use the drug and use others. Many adolescences experiment with marijuana due to curiosity and peer pressure studies have shown that the use of marijuana at a young age causes the adolescences to want to try more dangerous narcotics such as cocaine and heroin. An article titled “Evidence That Marijuana Is a Gateway to other Illicit Drug Use” by Joseph Gfoerer, Li-Tzy Wu, and Michael Penne states that, “the highest prevalence of use of heroin, cocaine, and psychotherapeutics in the lifetime was noted among those who initiated marijuana before they were 15 years old. With many young people trying strong narcotics illegally it is no surprise that other young people will also become more apt to try these heavier drugs. The article, “Marijuana is a Dangerous Drug for Teens” by Joseph Calfifano discuses why marijuana is so dangerous for teens and how the gateway effect plays part in this problem. The article states that marijuana use is a “signal of trouble”, the troubles include lack of growth, focus, and motor skills. He also brings up the gateway effect in the article the statistics he uses include, “Twelve to seventeen year olds who smoke marijuana are eighty five times more likely to use cocaine than those who would not.” These statists are very strong in

Study´s say that kids that smoke marijuana are most likely to drop out of school cause of it. Some say that driving while intoxicated will double the chance of a car crash. Did you know that 1/10 people who smoke marijuana regularly develop a dependence. People that smoke regularly have double the risk of developing mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Smokers are likely to develop chronic bronchitis.

Now I understand that the two of you believe that marijuana is a “gateway drug” but I have done excessive research and I can assure you that it is in in no shape or form a “gateway drug”. The gateway theory argues that because heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine users often used marijuana before graduating to harder drugs, it must be a “gateway” to harder drug use. The theory implies that there is a causal mechanism that biologically sensitizes drug users, making them more willing to try and more desirous of harder drugs. Yet the gateway hypothesis doesn’t make sense to those who use marijuana or have used in the past. Research shows that the vast majority of marijuana users do not go on to use hard drugs.