Challenging Myths: Cannabis
Despite the fact cannabis has been legalized recreationally in 18 states and medicinally in 38, there are still a number of myths and misinformation out there about the drug. This is the first in a series of articles that will explore some of these common myths and whether they have any validity.
MYTH: Cannabis is a Gateway Drug
One of the most common and oldest myths regarding cannabis is that it is considered a “gateway” drug, meaning using it will lead to the use of more harmful and addictive substances (such as cocaine or heroin.) However, correlation does not always mean causation. In other words, just because a number of people who use cannabis may go on to use other drugs, doesn’t mean using cannabis causes people to try other (harder) drugs.
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Instead, it’s more likely that people who are more predisposed to drug use and addiction started with more accessible and cheaper drugs (such as alcohol, nicotine and cannabis) as opposed to less accessible and more expensive drugs (such as heroin and cocaine.)
A 2002 report by RAND's Drug Policy Research Center supported this theory, stating “that it is not marijuana use but individuals' opportunities and unique propensities to use drugs that determine their risk of initiating hard drugs.”
In another study from 2012 in Japan (where cannabis is less accessible than in the U.S.) it was found that 83.2 percent of users of recreational substances did not use cannabis first, which again shows the likelihood of someone using harder drugs has more to do with opportunity than some “gateway” effect the drug has on the people who use it.
MYTH: Cannabis is Highly Addictive
Another common misconception about cannabis is its risk of addiction. Numerous studies have shown that cannabis can be addictive, both psychologically and physically. However, the same could be said of other common substances, such as sugar and caffeine. The real question then is—exactly how addictive is cannabis compared to other drugs and what are the relative dangers?
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For purposes of this article, the relative dangers of cannabis compared to other drugs will not be explored, but needless to say, no one has ever overdosed on cannabis, which can’t be said about a number of other Schedule I and II drugs.
In terms of addictiveness, studies have shown that people who try cannabis are less likely to become addicted compared to most other drugs, including tobacco, heroin, cocaine, alcohol or stimulants. In terms of numbers, the life-time risk of developing dependence among those who have ever used cannabis was estimated at 9% compared to 32% for nicotine, 23% for heroin, 17% for cocaine, 15% for alcohol and 11% for stimulants. More than nine-in-ten people who try cannabis will not become addicted to it. However, the risk of addiction is higher (about one-in-six) if you start using in your teens.
In sum, there is no solid proof that using cannabis is a “gateway drug” that will make users more inclined to try harder drugs. Rather, the availability and price of cannabis (like alcohol and tobacco) make it more likely to be the first drug users try, but this has no connection to a user’s inclination to try other drugs. In addition, cannabis can be addictive for some, but compared to other drugs, this risk is relatively low in addition to being much less harmful.
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