Marijuana Debate - Torrington, CT

No , It usually leads to abuse of stronger drugs.

Having the government involved
in the sale and distribution of
pot will only make things worse.
Also much more TCH in marijuana these days.

Always an Acre boy wrote:

No , It usually leads to abuse of stronger drugs.

This "Gateway Drug" theory is a myth that was started back in the 60's. A 1993 Rand Corporation study that compared drug use in states that had decriminalized marijuana versus those that had not, found that where marijuana was more available-the states that had decriminalized-hard drug abuse as measured by emergency room episodes decreased. In short, what science and actual experience tell us is that marijuana tends to substitute for the much more dangerous hard drugs like alcohol, cocaine, and heroin. In December 2002, a study by RAND regarding if cannabis use results in the subsequent use of cocaine and heroin was published in the British Journal of Addiction, a peer-reviewed scientific publication. The researchers created a mathematical model simulating adolescent drug use. National rates of cannabis and hard drug use in the model matched survey data collected from representative samples of youths from across the United States; the model produced patterns of drug use and abuse. Andrew Morral, associate director of RAND's Public Safety and Justice unit and lead author of the study stated: "We've shown that the marijuana gateway effect is not the best explanation for the link between marijuana use and the use of harder drugs ... An alternative, simpler and more compelling explanation accounts for the pattern of drug use you see in this country, without resort to any gateway effects. While the gateway theory has enjoyed popular acceptance, scientists have always had their doubts. Our study shows that these doubts are justified." One reason the risk factor for abusing drugs in cannabis users is higher is because few people try hard drugs prior to trying cannabis, not because cannabis users increasingly try hard drugs such as amphetamines. For example, cannabis is typically available at a significantly earlier age than other illicit drugs. Further research has shown that people with a disposition to resort to cannabis use are more likely to live longer and healthier lives than users of other "social drugs" such as alcohol. It is worth noting that many scientists and physicians within our own government now dismiss the validity of the "gateway theory." For example, the 1995 guidebook: Marijuana: Facts for Teens, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), states unequivocally that, "Most marijuana users do not go on to use other drugs."
Ref.:
Marijuana: Facts for Teens. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Washington, D.C. 1995, p. 10.
Drs. Morgan, John and Zimmer, Lynn. Exposing Marijuana Myths: A Review of the Scientific Evidence.
Cohen, Peter, et al. Cannabis Use, A Stepping Stone to Other Drugs? 1996.
Model, K (1993)'The Effect of Marijuana Decriminalization on Hospital Emergency Room Episodes: 1975 - 1978', Rand Corporation.
"RAND Study Casts Doubt on Claims that Marijuana Acts as "Gateway" to the Use of Cocaine and Heroin.". RAND. 2002-12-02. Retrieved 2007-07-11.

helps medical conditions i beleive and doesnt cause problems like alcohal and no i dont think it causes perment health problems unlike alcohol

its stupid to waste money prosecuting non violent marijuana users for using a harmless plant ... a real no brainer legalize it.

It would help a lot of people with health issues

Highly healt benefitial !

it just makes sense

Duh!

huh? wad ya say? I'm hungry, got the munchies.Whoa! What was that ? Whatch out the cops might be near by . who said that?

you cant physically ever be addicted to weed. And the state could make lots of money.so y not

If people need it for pain. Then they should be able to us it.It`s been around for a long time.with no trouble.it`s the other drugs that are the problem. not weed.

It's medically not usually harmful, and there's no logic to equating effects of marijuana and effects of hard drugs such as heroin.

Marijuana should be legal. It is natrullay grown

Way overdue to legalize it. Its less harmful than alcohol and after smoking pot all you want to do is eat goodies and snooze, no barfights or drunk drivers in this crowd.

At some point people will want to try hard drugs, and than they'll be addicted to those. It's a never ending misery.

because when ur hi u feel amazing and ur relaxed and nobody has ever died from weed

it causes no harm only good and plus it keeps kids from doing stupid shit they shouldnt like vandalize instead they will park their ass in front of a tv and watch south park

Would be a great idea to legalize it. You know legal or not ppl are still gunna use it. And now that they have this new shit thats "legal weed" such as K2 and jamicamicrazy witch ppl only smoke because they cant get in trouble for it. Ppl have had seisers and heart palpatation and gone intpo anxiety attacts because of this "legal weed" the real shit is healthier for you....

Yes I believe that u should legalize pot, It is better than booze. That is how I feel and believe this also DOES NOT lead tho other drugs. Plus there would not be so many DUI out there as there is now! I have had 14 operations and pot helps alot! This is my belief.