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.

[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.

[ActionNewsBill]

Alcohol use does not make a teen 85 times more likely to try cocaine. Pot does.

So you say.

I don't know why anyone would belive what an Ozzy-worshipping yahoo says anyways.

[ActionNewsBill]

Jim does not define what it means to be a conservative.

And you do?

[AxelPaulsenJr]

I did not write 'pot' I wrote herbs.

You claim that pot is a herb. You said in reponse to my question name a church that uses pot for incense, that the Catholic and Greek Orthodox church do.

[ActionNewsBill]

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.

Legality has nothing to do with it. She used pot, (why didn't you dis-own her, BTW?) and didn't become a heroin addict.

Therefore NO gateway.

It's pretty simple.

[cinFLA]

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.

Are you claiming JR is anti-WOD?

[cinFLA]

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

You will understand MrLeroy's logic when he starts calling you a liar.

[jmc813]

Are you claiming JR is anti-WOD?

Anti Federal-WOD, much like myself.

[presidio9]

By your logic, this irrelevant throwaway anecdote actually PROVES that the WoD is working. The only thing stopping my mother from becoming a heroine addict is the illegality of pot. Thank God for the DEA, right?

[MrLeRoy]

Yet you use studies that have only criminals in the sample population

Strictly speaking, the study shows only that there is no gateway effect from marijuana to hard drugs among those who have had run-ins with the law. What reason is there to think this is not also true for the larger population?

with NO control group

The study involved modeling the observed behaviors; what would a control group for such a study be, and what role do you see a control group playing in such a study?

and the author then massages the data

What exactly are you claiming here? The author analyzes and models the observed data.

but still cannot discredit the gateway theory.

"No significant impact of soft drug use on the risk of later involvement with crack and heroin."

[presidio9]

Nope, Conservative philosophy defines what it means to be a conservative. Libertarian philosophy defines what it means to be a libertarian. Why is this so difficult for you to understand. Jim would not argue that legalizing drugs is a Conservative point of view either.

[tpaine]

I've never said he "defined what it means to be a conservative".

I keep those quotes around to show those here that do have odd fixations about the scope of conservatism.
Ends a lot of silly arguments on FR's political correctness.

Why does this disturb you?

[presidio9]

So you say.

Nope. So says the study posted on this thread by one of your pro-drug companions.

[MrLeRoy]

I have laid out the logic clearly and repeatedly.

You have responded to rebuttals merely by repeating your claims; that's not logic.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

To: PaxMacian

Caught in another lie! I am not a legalized drugs proponent.

I advocate the re-legalization of herb.

I am done talking to you. You are clearly off your rocker.

That sir, is the understatement of the year. What a fruit basket.

Can't you imagine the private emails that must go on behind the scene from the anti-wodders pleading with this guy to go away? My word he is such a detriment to their side.

LOL

[cinFLA]

So you agree with CASA that marijuana is a gateway drug?

[MrLeRoy]

You will understand MrLeroy's logic when he starts calling you a liar.

No ping when slurring me? How cowardly. I'll call him a liar if and only if he lies.

[cinFLA]

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

Thanks. Sounds like a keeper!

[MrLeRoy]

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

So you agree with CASA that marijuana is a gateway drug?

No, I think there are no gateway drugs. Now answer my question.

[cinFLA]

Therefore NO gateway.

Thereby the gateway theory is enhanced.

[cinFLA]

No, I think there are no gateway drugs.

Not to you. All drugs are cool.

[cinFLA]

No ping when slurring me?

No slur. You have used the word "Liar" many a time. Usually just before quitting time.

[tpaine]

Prove the Lincoln 'quote' is fake, you clown.
It is simply unattributable.

[Trailerpark Badass]

Thereby the gateway theory is enhanced.

You haven't answered my question about what your version of the Gateway theory is; you know, the one you accuse us all of misunderstanding.

I asked sincerely, and would appreciate an answer.

[cinFLA]

Strictly speaking, the study shows only that there is no gateway effect from marijuana to hard drugs among those who have had run-ins with the law.

The study did NOT show what you claim above! In fact it absolutely did NOT deny a gateway theory.

[presidio9]

You have responded to rebuttals merely by repeating your claims; that's not logic.

Incorrect. I have correctly pointed out that when pot is legal, more kids will have access to pot. You have been unable to come up with an intelligent couter to this easily laid out point.

[MrLeRoy]

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

So you agree with CASA that marijuana is a gateway drug?

No, I think there are no gateway drugs.

Not to you. All drugs are cool.

Another lie about me. My position is that no drugs---including the deadly addictive drugs tobacco and alcohol---are "cool."

Now answer my question.

Well?

[MrLeRoy]

You have used the word "Liar" many a time.

Only when lies have been posted---contrary to your insinuation.

[cinFLA]

Prove the Lincoln 'quote' is fake, you clown. It is simply unattributable.

So you go around posting quotes that are "unattibutable". Are others free to do that also?

[presidio9]

The whole lot of them are so confused and disorganized. Just what I have come to expect from people who frequently use drugs. Except for LeRoy. He is downright scary. The idea that people like him exist is disturbing.

[cinFLA]

Prove the Lincoln 'quote' is fake, you clown. It is simply unattributable.

The word prohibition would not have been used by AL in this context.

[MrLeRoy]

I have correctly pointed out that when pot is legal, more kids will have access to pot.

Yes, you have repeatedly claimed this. Where's the evidence?

[MrLeRoy]

it absolutely did NOT deny a gateway theory.

Another lie. "No significant impact of soft drug use on the risk of later involvement with crack and heroin."

[presidio9]

Too late, he already did. Oh I understand him all right. He wants the drug addicts to kill themselves because what they do has no effect on his life in that one room cabin in Montanna.

[cinFLA]

Except for LeRoy. He is downright scary. The idea that people like him exist is disturbing.

But he is not the worst. He just want all drugs legalized and is getting paid to spam the board.

[presidio9]

Read this thread and get back to me. It's all there.

[jmc813]

The whole lot of them are so confused and disorganized. Just what I have come to expect from people who frequently use drugs.

Name-calling is another liberal debating tactic. So let's see, thusfar you've used emotion over logic, namecalled, and my personal favorite, the ol' "for the children" line. I feel like I'm on a gun thread on DU.

[presidio9]

LOL. Can you provide "evidence" for your claim?

[MrLeRoy]

Read this thread and get back to me.

I have. You have responded to rebuttals merely by repeating your claims.

[jmc813]

LOL. Can you provide "evidence" for your claim?

It's George Soros who pays us. Everyone knows that. Duh.

[presidio9]

Name-calling is another liberal debating tactic.

Help me out: I see no name-calling in the quote you provided. Nevertheless: People who think drugs should be legal have not thought their argument through and rightly deserve to be called children.