Researcher's Study of Twins Bolsters 'Gateway Theory' (For Early Marijuana Use)

Medscape ^ | 2003 | Brown University Behavior Letter

[shrinkermd]

Many studies have examined the "gateway" theory, that marijuana use at a young age leads to use of harder drugs as a person grows older. While there is a general consensus among studies that those who use marijuana are much more likely to use hard drugs and that hard drug users usually use marijuana first, there is lively debate surrounding the reasons for these dynamics.

[Trailerpark Badass]

A few ecstasy pills in the pocket are much smaller ....

What does that have to do with anything?

[ActionNewsBill]

The point is that she did try it when it was legal.

So why didn't she turn into a cocaine addict...or a bat?

Kind of blows that whole "marijuana is a gateway drug" theory of yours apart, doesn't it?

[jmc813]

Did you know that I'm related to Abraham Lincoln. And going through high school I was friends with a decendant of John Wiles Booth. True story.

[cinFLA]

Easier than cigarettes? Given these circumstances, marijuana may, indeed, someday become the "gateway drug," inasmuch as it will be the first one kids try.

From Casa:

We have known for years that marijuana damages an individual's ability to concentrate and impairs short-term memory and motor skills at a time when teens most need them. Teens who play with the fire of cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana are likelier to get burned by the flames of heroin, cocaine and acid.

[cinFLA]

Did you take your revenge?

[cinFLA]

Kind of blows that whole "marijuana is a gateway drug" theory of yours apart, doesn't it?

No.

[luckystarmom]

That's what I think. It doesn't prove anything.

[cinFLA]

Exactly what makes this research bunk.

Yet you use studies that have only criminals in the sample population with NO control group and the author then massages the data but still cannot discredit the gateway theory. Even after being paid by a pro-druggie to do so. hmmm.

[cinFLA]

Poison ivy is an herb. Does the Bible command us to use poison ivy for food?

Only the seed.

[MrLeRoy]

If that's why teens find marijuana easier to buy than cigarettes and alcohol, then apparently their suppliers have no problem getting marijuana---so the War On Marijuana is a failure.

Nope. If drugs were legalized the problem would be worse.

Or so you keep claiming---without giving any reason to accept your claim.

[MrLeRoy]

So you agree with CASA that alcohol and tobacco are gateway drugs?

[ActionNewsBill]

Teens who play with the fire of cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana are likelier to get burned by the flames of heroin, cocaine and acid.

Thanks for the hilarious line....where have I heard that one before?

Marijuana is the flame, herion is the fuse, and LSD is the bomb. - Sgt. Friday on Dragnet

You must be a big fan of television propaganda.

[ActionNewsBill]

No.

Well, why don't you explain your "version" of the gateway theory.

[presidio9]

The point is...they started with alcohol. It's irrelevant whether or not they used reefer...they started with alcohol.

Actually, they started with mother's milk. Alcohol use does not make a teen 85 times more likely to try cocaine. Pot does.

[presidio9]

There are a couple of JR quotes about drugs on my home page. Feel free.

You Jim Robinson fixation is downright disturbing. Jim does not define what it means to be a conservative.

[auboy]

Suicidal individuals are, by definition, not in their right minds.

Have you ever had bone cancer? Have you experienced the excruciating pain and suffering as it spreads through your body, even though you have been through several rounds of chemo-therapy?

Well, my father did, and he made the decision to end his own life while he was still able to pull the trigger. Dad was "old-school", a WWII vet - he never wanted to be a burden to anyone or ask anyone for help. It was his decision to make, not mine, not yours, not the government's.

[presidio9]

A flask of vodka is very easy to conceal, and carries enough to get two or even three 16 year-olds nicely buzzed.

Now you are really reaching. (A)We were talking about dealers, not users, (B) any sane drug user will stipulate that the alcohol is far more bulky per dose and (C) I know of few teenagers who choose straight vodka as their drink of choice.

[presidio9]

Or so you keep claiming---without giving any reason to accept your claim.

I have laid out the logic clearly and repeatedly. You are not interested in reason.

[presidio9]

Kind of blows that whole "marijuana is a gateway drug" theory of yours apart, doesn't it?

Not at all. As soon as she left, she no longer had legal access to pot so any speculation on what might have happened is pointless.

[jmc813]

The only reason Jim was brought up in the first place is because YOU contended that one could not be conservative and anti-WOD at the same time.