One of the most hotly contested debates around the use of marijuana is the question of whether or not marijuana is a gateway drug that can lead users into much heavier, more dangerous substances. There are vocal opinions on both sides of the argument, in addition to well documented research that supports each point of view.
Arguments that Marijuana IS a Gateway Drug
For those who say that marijuana does indeed lead to other drug use, their argument is fairly clear, especially for doctors and experts who work in the addiction and recovery field. The Recovery Village, a network of recovery and rehabilitation facilities in Florida that also treat mental health issues, recently published an article that stated that of those who use marijuana on a regular basis, “1 in 11 will struggle with addiction or marijuana use disorder, a physical and psychological dependence on the drug”. It is often thought by those in the field that an overreliance on a mind-altering drug such as marijuana can sometimes mask underlying issues that need to be addressed separately. Though marijuana may provide temporary relief in some instances, doctors and mental health professionals stress the importance of making sure that drug use is not covering for any deeper-rooted problems, as is so often the case with issues of addiction and substance abuse.
Another argument that is often cited by those who believe marijuana use can lead to other drug usage is that it can negatively affect cognitive development when used in excess in adolescence. Studies have shown that using marijuana at an early age with an underdeveloped brain can lead to an increase in the risk of suffering from addiction later in life. Excessive exposure to tetrahydrocannabinol or THC (the main active ingredient in marijuana) can also heighten the brain’s sensitivity and response to other drugs, which as The Recovery Village noted, “using marijuana heightens the feelings, effects, and responses to other substances, which can lend support to the idea of marijuana being a gateway to using other harmful substances.”
Arguments that Marijuana is NOT a Gateway Drug
However, those that argue against the notion that marijuana is a gateway drug do have some evidence to back up their claim. A recent study conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institute of Health (NIH), concluded that “the majority of people who use marijuana do not go on to use other, harder substances.” The study also found that other important considerations on whether or not marijuana usage increases a person’s risk for further drug use involves a number of factors relating to a person’s biology and social environment, and highlighted that the link “to what degree marijuana use is directly causal in these associations remains an open question requiring further research”.
Marijuana when used safely and correctly can be a powerful drug for good. It can help with pain, anxiety, and has even been shown to help with more serious conditions like epilepsy. As with any drug, moderation is always important, and those that abuse it will inevitably have to deal with some negative consequences. However, as marijuana becomes increasingly accessible and legal, additional research is likely to be conducted. With that additional research, the hope of those in the medical marijuana community is that it will help clarify some of the uncertainties that currently exist with regards to the relationship between marijuana and other drug use.