s/o sorta, do you buy the 'gateway drug' theory?

EMT

I was listening to NPR on the way to work and they had a show about addiction.  I guess there was a big conference in my area for addiction experts all around the world.  Well someone called in and asked the speakers if pot should be legalized in California.  Both of the speakers (dr's from Europe) said no.  Basically they said that the point of pot is to escape or get a buzz whereas with alcohol, it is not always for the affect (meaning you could have one drink and not feel anything physically?).  And that kids experimenting with using substances to escape can lead to then trying harder drugs.  Both of the DR's agreed with de-criminalization though.  Just not legalization.

I was a bit surprised...I am not sure why.  I guess because I would lean toward the it's way better than alcohol camp but these experts thought differently.

kittycarr

I can't say if I buy it or not.  For some that may be true.  For me it definitely is not true.  I used to smoke pot but had absolutely no desire to do anything else.  Wanted to try cocaine at one point, but knew it was stupid to even think it so....

KrisBriMcBunny

I think it depends on the person's personality and "why" they started pot in the first place.  The theory hold true for me. 

CleoKitty

Ditto Kitty.

I think it's more about an individual's personality. At one point in my life I smoked pot regularly and enjoyed it immensely, but have never once had even had the desire to try anything else at all. Hell, I hardly even drink.

FWIW though, I was not a young kid or teenager at that point in my life- it was right after college in my early to mid 20s. At the time I was responsible, supported myself and working full-time. I don't regret at all waiting until I was a little older to experiment and if my (hypothetical) teenager were to be found smoking pot I'd be very upset and all hell would break loose. Not because I think smoking pot is bad, but because I think that it is an adult activity just like drinking.

 

penguingrrl

I don't believe in the gateway drug theory at all.  I smoked a lot of pot in high school and have never felt the desire to try any other drug at all.  I can count on one hand the number of times I've smoked pot since graduating high school as well.  I personally don't understand why alcohol is legal and pot isn't.

winomom22

I was quite the stoner for a period of time in high school and the theory did not hold true for me, but it did for a lot of my fellow stoners.

ETA:  I think that theory is a poor excuse to make it illegal.  A lot of legal activities could lead to illegal activities....not a reason to make something illegal.  Take alcohol for instance.  Think of the illegal and stupid sh*t people do while they are drunk.  While high on pot, no one has the energy for that.

Zenya

no.