Does Marijuana Lead to the Use of Other Drugs

Does Marijuana Lead to the Use of Other Drugs Addiction Drug Use Marijuana Print Does Marijuana Lead to the Use of Other Drugs? By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on June 29, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on January 26, 2020 Is Marijuana Really a Gateway Drug?. © Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Marijuana Cocaine Heroin Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Opioids Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery As more and more states around the U.S. decriminalize marijuanaâ€"also known as cannabisâ€"or approve the drug for medical or recreational use, it raises many questions by scientists. Like, how safe is it? Does it lead to harder drug use? The drug has been in use since ancient times. The earliest recorded use as a drug was 2737 BC in China. The drug made its entry to the New World in 1545 when the Spanish brought it and produced it as a commercial crop to make hemp fibers. In our modern world, many young people who smoke cannabis never progress to using other drugs, but there are some who do. Research shows that the  vast majority of high school students who do use other drugs used cannabis first. Why Do Some People Who Try Cannabis Also Try Other Drugs? The National Institute for Drug Abuse has three theories why some people who use marijuana go on to use other drugs while some do not: When people begin using cannabis while their young brains are still developing, which can be into their early 20s, it can change the reward system of their brains.?? Other drugs may, in turn, become more appealing.Those who use cannabis are more likely to be around others who use and sell other drugs, increasing the temptation to try those drugs.Young people who are at high risk of becoming substance abusers may use cannabis first because it is easier to get than other drugs.?? The same is true for cigarettes and alcohol. Can Someone Really Become Addicted to Marijuana? Is Cannabis a Gateway Drug? This question has circulated around the scientific community for many years. Of the usual gateway drugs, cannabis is mentioned along with the other two major ones, alcohol and tobacco. A three-year study published in 2016 focused on people who began using cannabis before alcohol.?? Researchers found that those who used cannabis experienced a higher incidence of an alcohol use disorder three years later after controlling for variables like psychiatric disorders and other substance use. Similarly, a 2015 study analyzed lifetime cannabis users and concluded that nearly 50% of participants went on to take other illicit drugs.?? Is Weed Really a Gateway Drug? Has Cannabis Become a Problem? For some, smoking cannabis is an occasional habit. For others, it can become a daily ritual that drags a person down. There are ways to tell if someone is addicted to cannabis and if its adversely affecting their lives.