Marijuana also known as cannabis is a drug that is commonly used around the world. It is illegal in most countries around the world although still famous. According to research done by the National Epidemiological Study of Alcohol Use and Related Disorders, marijuana was realized to be the beginning of many who abuse illicit and licit drugs. The research showed that many of those that used marijuana and had an alcohol problem had a high probability of the condition worsening (DeSimone, 1998). Substances such as nicotine addiction have also been linked to the use of marijuana. Adults who started the use of marijuana in their early adolescent tend to have reduced brain reactivity as they approach adulthood. The report also shows an experiment where rodents were exposed to marijuana and their brain responded to the drug. Their brains were slow and there was the enhancement of response to other drugs. In many biological experiments, rodents are used as representatives of the human race and therefore, the results of the experiment are assumed similar to that of the human race. In an experiment done, the rat was exposed to THC and after that, there was a heightened behavioral response to morphine once it was introduced.
Due to the discussed report, the results from the experiment were consistent with the statement that marijuana was a gateway to the use of other drugs. The drugs in some cases would be the normal licit drugs such as alcohol or in other cases, the drugs would be the illicit substances such as morphine and cocaine. There are other situations where those using marijuana tend to use normal licit drugs such as nicotine and alcohol but are not found to use harder drugs. In other situations it is different and they become addicts (DeSimone, 1998). Another factor that is a great determinant is the social environment one that surrounds a person. There are social environments that pose a risk to the use of drugs. In such environments, there are probabilities of one becoming influenced towards the consumption of drugs. The first drug that is readily available at an affordable price is normally marijuana.
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Alcohol always has limitations where one has to be of age to purchase a drink and also the prices are normally discouraging to those that are underage. Marijuana, on the other hand, is quite cheap and readily available where the person may easily buy it without having to be of age. It is an illegal drug and therefore the person selling it does not have the morals to find out the age of buyer as long as they make their sales as fast as possible. It has therefore made it possible for a person to gain access to marijuana as compared to other licit drugs. Marijuana then makes it possible for one to start taking other drugs due to becoming vulnerable. A person becomes vulnerable to drugs such as alcohol, tobacco in social gatherings where they are available. As they grow older, the intake increases and therefore consuming alcohol becomes normal. The brain is a critical part of the human body therefore, once one consumes marijuana, a reactivity increases their response to other drugs. Experiment reports show results that seem to agree with the fact that marijuana is a gateway to other critical drugs (DeSimone, 1998). Critics may argue that it is not the only factor for there are other factors such as social environment as discussed and character. Other factors determine drug use but marijuana plays are great role when it comes to consuming other drugs.
Reference
DeSimone, J. (1998). Is marijuana a gateway drug? Eastern Economic Journal , 24 (2), 149-164.
