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Is marijuana a gateway drug?
Marijuana is one of the best-known and most frequently used psychoactive substances in the world.
Despite the facts, there is still so much we don’t know about it.
In addition to this confusion, there are many myths surrounding marijuana, including one that puts it in a position of a gateway to serious substance abuse.
Table of Contents
What Is A Gateway Drug?
Gateway drugs are commonly referred to as milder substances that usually lead someone to try harder drugs.
Marijuana is classified as a gateway drug by many, but is that true?
For example, let’s look at nicotine and alcohol, as they are both widely available substances.
Many people don’t realize that they may be gateway drugs since there is not much stigma surrounding them.
Let’s dive deeper into the topic and understand if marijuana really is a gateway drug.
This idea is magnified by the fact that these substances are legal to purchase and use.
The fact that these substances are not only legal but also easily accessible and socially accepted, can also create curiosity for drugs that aren’t legal.
The concept of a gateway drug is based on the following idea.
People who abuse alcohol, prescription medication, or marijuana will stop feeling fearful of other substances.
Is Marijuana a Gateway Drug?
Marijuana research and policy remain politically charged.
Supporters of prohibition argue that cannabis is extremely dangerous and can lead to substance abuse.
They are also calling for a ban on the drug and punishment for those who possess it.
On the other hand, marijuana advocates say the drug is harmless and could even have medical benefits.
It’s said that the war on marijuana leads to a higher rate of incarceration.
Shockingly, half of all drug-related arrests are related to marijuana possession.
A majority of the individuals arrested use the drug for personal reasons and not for distribution.
Is Weed Addicting?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), around 30% of people who use marijuana may experience substance abuse, ranging from mild to severe.
Of those who use marijuana, between 10%-30% may develop a dependence on the drug, while only about 9% will go on to develop an addiction.
However, because not everyone who is dependent on marijuana is addicted to it, the exact statistics on marijuana addiction are not well-known.
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Dependence on marijuana occurs when the brain becomes used to the drug being in the body and, as a result, reduces its production of endocannabinoid receptors.
This can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Some of these include: irritability, mood swings, restlessness, and lack of appetite when the drug is not used.
In 2015, it was estimated that around 4 million people in the United States had marijuana use disorder.
For comparison, in that same year, approximately 15.1 million adults in the United States over the age of 18 met the criteria for alcohol use disorder.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) around 37.8 million adults in the US smoked cigarettes in 2016.
Can You Overdose On Weed?
An overdose involves taking a dangerous amount of a substance.
This practice does not always have to result in death.
While people may associate overdoses with fatalities, there are no reported deaths from overdosing on marijuana alone.
However, it’s possible to consume too much marijuana and have an adverse reaction, commonly referred to as a Green Out.
Some of the side effects of abusing marijuana include:
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- Confusion
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- Anxiety
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- Paranoia
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- Delusions
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- Nausea
Overdosing with marijuana may not result in death, but it can lead to a highly unpleasant experience.
It’s also important to note that different marijuana strains have different potencies.
Marijuana remains one of the most widely used substances in the world, and yet there is still so much we don’t know about it.
There has been a lot of controversy about one of the main questions – is marijuana a gateway drug or not?
While the research shows that it’s possible to get addicted to marijuana, alcohol addiction can be worse.
For some people who are prone to addiction, it may be considered a gateway drug, while for others… not so much.
As more research is conducted, with changes in policies and the law, it’s crucial to continue educating ourselves and others about the true effects of marijuana.