The recreational use of marijuana has been a prevalent topic of discussion throughout health communities and families around the world. With one party debating that the use of marijuana is not a stepping stone to more dangerous and illicit drugs and the opposing party saying that it is, it can be difficult to determine whether marijuana is really a gateway drug or not. With that being said, there have been dozens of researchers who have delved into the effects of marijuana and whether it can seriously inhibit the decision to stay away from harder drugs throughout the lifetime of individuals.
Interesting Statistics
1. An increasing number of individuals have been using marijuana throughout the years (from 2.9 million individuals in 2011 to 3.1 million individuals in 2012.
2. Children between the ages of 12 and 18 are considered to be the most vulnerable.
3. 55.1% of individuals in 2012 began using marijuana before they turned 18.
Understanding the Social Pressure vs. Pharmaceutical Properties
There are two main components to the argument stating that marijuana is a gateway drug, the social pressure associated with smoking and the pharmaceutical properties of the drug itself. It is believed that once teenagers and young adults have given into the peer pressure and social pressure to try marijuana, they are more likely to try other drugs in the future due to the same influence of surrounding parties. It is also important to consider that the properties of the marijuana itself could be a factor resulting in future drug use. As an example, a drug dealer may lace or cut their marijuana with other drugs to help provide a better high.
Using Marijuana at a Young Age
The majority of detriments associated with marijuana being a gateway drug results from use at a relatively young age (generally during the teenage years of a person’s life). As per a study conducted by Michael T. Lynskey, PhD and published by the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2003 noticed that drug use by youth resulted in future drug use more than individuals who used marijuana after their youth.
The study consisted of pairs of young adult twins and they were studied to determine whether prior drug use has affected their decision in whether to choose to use other drugs after smoking marijuana. The study showed that the twins who used marijuana prior to the age of 17 were 2.1 to 5.6 times more likely to choose other types of drugs and be affected by dependence to alcohol. In comparison, the twins who used marijuana after they were 17 years of age, were less likely to be prone to substance use and abuse.
Researchers also determined that there may be a correlation between having early access to marijuana and diminishing the importance of staying away from drugs. Using marijuana at a younger age could possibly desensitize youth about the dangers associated with other illicit drugs.
The Use of Other Drugs to Sustain a High
Another important factor to consider in regards to the use of marijuana and it becoming a gateway drug is why individuals may consider taking other drugs, aside from social pressure and peer pressure. THC has the tendency to give the user a relatively short high and if the user finds it to be pleasurable, they may look for other ways to sustain the effects given from the marijuana. This process in itself could be another leading cause as to why individuals will try other drugs aside from cannabis.
Not only do they take other drugs to prolong their high from the marijuana, but they may also consider other illicit substances to get a better high – something that not only lasts longer but feels better. There are dozens of drugs in the world that can be used as frequently as marijuana and provide a better high that can make the user feel “good” all of the time. Out of 2.9 million individuals who were studied in relation to using other drugs to receive a better high, 65.6% of these users stated that their first drug that they used was marijuana.