h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

in the states, marijuana became branded as a gateway drug because correlational studies showed that users of harder drugs were approx. 85 times more likely to be marijuana users than the non-hard-drug-users. this is a misuse of correlational data to assign causality; while it is obvious that people who use hard drugs probably also tried or use lesser drugs, that does not mean that using the lesser drugs *caused* the harder drug use.

similarly, most pot smokers also smoke tobacco. under the same argument, tobacco is a gateway drug for illegal marijuana. should it be made illegal so that it won't lead innocents on to illegal activities?

Well so is alcohol, and really, aren't the pharmaceutical companies too? They are worse than any drug dealer I've met for pushing shit on you. At least with cannabis and other psychoactive plants, they are natural and 'better' for you, than taking a synthetic not naturally occuring chemical.

The gateway theory is bunk again -- of course people who have smoked marijuana have tried other things to, it is indeed a natural progression, but I am sure if you look at many other 'segments' of the population you'll see increases in other drug use, like people who drink alcohol. It does not necessarily prove anything.

The reason marijuana is seen as a gateway drug is because in many instances where marijuana is smoked, it is illegal. Therefore there are more likely to be other, harder illegal drugs around, so pot smokers are more likely to contact them.

lets get to the point,i like many people enjoy a nice a joint now and then,well maybe a little more than now and then,but i work hard in my job,and dont realy drink ,and relax by having a joint when i finish work,but the scare tactics used by governments all over the world,if you smoke pot u will use heroin or crack,well thas total crap,the only reason people do try harder drugs is because they have to go to dodgey dealers who sell shit weed,but sell loads of other rubbish aswell.if we leagalised it,and had licenced shops to sell it,the supply of dodgey dealers will stop,and its not going to stop everybody trying harder drugs,but it will stop criminalising innocent people who are mostly law abiding,but whose only crime is to buy a bit of weed.we as a nation take everything we are told as the truth,we dont seem to ask why,who or even where anymore?Im not saying that this applies to everyone,some people have a addictive personality and they are the ones who are easier lead,lets become rational,if alcohol was diccoverd today,do you think that it would be made illeagal?

will give you a lift home for a spliff

my brother is picking me up,but can give you a bit of that if you wanted,although its all at home at the moment?