Debunked Myths

The 'gateway drug' theory has been anti-drug rhetoric's cornerstone for decades, suggesting cannabis use biologically compels people toward harder drugs. However, epidemiological data reveals a different story: the vast majority of cannabis users never progress to other illicit substances. The correlation that exists is better explained by common risk factors like genetic predisposition, personality traits, and social environment.

The most significant factor is often the illegal market itself. When people buy cannabis from dealers who also sell other drugs, they encounter opportunities that don't exist with legal substances like alcohol. This makes the gateway effect primarily a social and legal phenomenon rather than a pharmacological one.

As legalization spreads and cannabis becomes normalized, the correlation with harder drug use diminishes, further undermining the gateway theory. The real risk factors appear to be poverty, trauma, and lack of opportunity—not the plant itself. This understanding helps shift drug policy from punishment to public health approaches.