The theory of marijuana weeds for sale as a gateway drug is still debatable. This theory, however, is not supported by all research. Even studies indicating that weed users are more likely to use other drugs frequently fail to demonstrate that weed for sale directly leads to other drug use.
Government and public health policies have prioritized preventing weed use for decades. It also includes discussion on criminalization. This is according to the theory of weed as a gateway drug. This theory contends that weed use increases the risk of using other drugs or that weed users become interested in other drug use as a result of their weed use.
Some research indicates that people are more likely to use weeds for sale before using other drugs, whereas other studies show that those who use weed have a higher lifetime risk of misusing other drugs. Furthermore, some studies have found that people who use weed before other drugs have a higher risk of developing a substance use disorder.
Continue reading to learn more about the weed for sale gateway drug theory, including research findings. This article also discusses some of the potential health benefits of weed for sale, as well as some common misconceptions about the plant.
WHAT ABOUT THIS THEORY?
Some argue that weed use leads to the use and misuse of other “harder” drugs, such as opioids like heroin or stimulants like cocaine. Weed can act as a gateway drug in a variety of ways, including:
Altering brain chemistry: According to the theory, weed may alter how the brain responds to other drugs. It may also heighten one’s desire for drugs.
Changing the threshold of addictive effect: This is from interpretation of the gateway theory. Weed use may reduce the number of drugs a person must use before developing a substance use disorder, making it easier to meet this criterion.
Environmental factors: Individuals who use weed may be part of environments where drug use feels routine or where other drugs are available, according to this understanding.
DOES THAT MAKE WEED ONE?
Weed research and policy are still highly politicized. Those in favor of prohibition argue that weed is extremely dangerous and leads to substance use disorder. They also want the drug banned and those in possession of it punished.
Weed for sale supporters, on the other hand, argue that the drug is harmless and possibly even beneficial. Prohibiting it increases mass incarceration, and that the war on drugs has failed.
The drug war, specifically the war on weed for sale, contributes to excessive police stops and mass incarceration. Weed possession accounts for at least half of all drug arrests. The majority of arrests involve people using the drug for personal use rather than distribution.
However, various sides of the debate, including scientific research, disagree on whether weed is a gateway drug.
OTHER RESEARCH
Some animal studies suggest that early weed exposure may alter the way the brain responds to drugs. Animal studies, in particular, suggest that early weed exposure may alter the brain’s response to dopamine. This is a brain chemical that contributes to substance use disorder. It may also cause the brain to react more strongly to other drugs.
In one preprint 2020 study, for example, rats exposed to weed during development had a variety of brain changes. This could increase the rewards associated with subsequent drug use. While weed exposure increased motivation to seek cocaine, actual behaviors, such as taking it or becoming addicted, remained unchanged.
However, these studies were conducted on rats rather than humans. It is unclear whether weed has the same effect on humans.
A paper published in 2020 examined decades of data pointing to weed as a gateway drug. Many of the studies it cited found a correlation, but they frequently had serious flaws. One study says that teenagers who use weeds for sale are 104x more likely to use cocaine than those who don’t. However, there were significant differences between the two groups that existed prior to their weeds for sale use. This suggests that other environmental differences, personality differences, or other risk factors could explain the use of both drugs.
Overall, research on weed as a gateway drug has been inconclusive. Even studies that do show a link either show a very weak one or rely on poor quality data.
There is no evidence that prohibiting it works to reduce the use of other harmful drugs. Indeed, some studies have found that criminalizing weed increases its availability and use. As well as the availability of more potent forms of the drug on the market.
FINAL THOUGHTS
With all the information given it seems like a few more research would benefit this topic. Whatever the case may be, the important thing is that we enjoy weed for sale. Make sure to only buy from trusted shops! Also, make sure that you talk to a profession when trying weeds for sale, especially if you have any sort of disease. What about you, what do you think?
