Should the U.S. Legalize Marijuana?

• “No”

  

  “Use of Marijuana Leads to Other Drugs”

• “Objection”

  

  “Marijuana is a 'Terminus,' not a Gateway”
  

Use of Marijuana Leads to Other Drugs

David Evans

Drug Free Schools Coalition

Expert Verified | See Profile

Recommend (0) Comments (9)

Marijuana is far more powerful today than it was years ago and it serves as a an entry point for the use of other illegal drugs. This is known as the “gateway effect.” The use of marijuana in early adolescence is particularly dangerous. Adults who used marijuana early were five times more likely to become dependent on any drug and eight times more likely to use cocaine and fifteen times more likely to use heroin later in life.

Evidence

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Addiction, 2006; 101:556-569

"Regular or Heavy Use of Cannabis Was Associated with Increased Risk of Using Other Illicit Drugs"

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Congress of the United States,14 March 2006

"Twenty-Five Year Longitudinal Study Affirms Link Between Marijuana Use and Other Illicit Drug Use"

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What Americans Need to Know About Marijuana

Office of National Drug Control Policy. October 2003. Page 9.; The DEA Position On Marijuana, DEA.gov

Next Argument

"No" David Evans

• Marijuana Use Poses Severe Health Risks
  1
• Marijuana is Addictive
  0
• Use of Marijuana Leads to Other Drugs
  0
• Marijuana Use Contributes to Crime
  0

"No" Dr Kevin Sabet

• It is a Myth That 'Everybody is Doing It.'
  4
• Where Legalization Has Flourished, Drug Use Has Increased
  4
• Experts Agree That Marijuana Contributes to Mental Illness
  3
• Marijuana Use Can Be Addictive, While Also Damaging the Lungs
  2
• It is a Myth That Small Time Marijuana Users are Crowding our Prisons
  3
• Legalization Advocates Never Answer The Hard Questions
  4
• There are Ways To Make Current Policy Better
  1

"Yes" NORML

• Remember Prohibition? It Still Doesn’t Work.
  39
• Humanity’s Medicine Chest
  26
• It’s the Economy, Stupid!
  28
• Industrial Use
  27

Most Objections

• Marijuana Use Poses Severe Health Risks
  1
• Marijuana is Addictive
  0
• Use of Marijuana Leads to Other Drugs
  0
• Marijuana Use Contributes to Crime
  0
• Remember Prohibition? It Still Doesn’t Work.
  39
• Humanity’s Medicine Chest
  26
• It’s the Economy, Stupid!
  28
• Industrial Use
  27
• It is a Myth That 'Everybody is Doing It.'
  4
• It is a Myth That Small Time Marijuana Users are Crowding our Prisons
  3
• Marijuana Use Can Be Addictive, While Also Damaging the Lungs
  2
• Experts Agree That Marijuana Contributes to Mental Illness
  3
• Where Legalization Has Flourished, Drug Use Has Increased
  4
• Legalization Advocates Never Answer The Hard Questions
  4
• There are Ways To Make Current Policy Better
  1

Legalize Marijuana?

• Yes
• No

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