News » Study Shows Marijuana Gateway Myth For What It Is

September 3, 2010 by Aaron Turpen

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A research study from the University of New Hampshire shows that the supposed “gateway effect” of marijuana is overblown.  The popular idea that those who use marijuana are more likely to move on to harder illicit drugs has been shown, once again, to be more propaganda.

The study found that many other life factors, such as unemployment, stress, and even race and economic status are much more likely to determine hard drug use than is marijuana use.

“In light of these findings, we urge U.S. drug control policymakers to consider stress and life-course approaches in their pursuit of solutions to the ‘drug problem,’ ” associate professors of sociology KarenVan Gundy and Cesar Rebellon say.

The research found that the association between teenage marijuana use and other illicit drugs later in young adulthood diminished quickly when other environmental stressors were factored in.  Those who had good economic prospects, entered college, or otherwise reduced life stresses, were far less likely to use harder drugs.  For most, by age 21, the “gateway effect” subsides entirely.

The research will be published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.

[source Press Release]

[via CBS News]

Tags: gateway drug, medical