I know its an unpopular opinion, but pot was totally a gateway drug, for me. Along with tobacco and alcohol, pot was the #1 drug of abuse for young neer do wells like myself. Pot and LSD were widely available and formed the bulk of most first drug experiences for those my age, from my area.
Because pot was illegal, one had to associate with all kinds of characters one would likely avoid if not seeking to buy weed. It introduced me, at about age 15 to the drug subculture. For several years pot was all I desired but that habit laid the foundation for the pursuit of other substances. Pots not as dangerous nor does it have the same addictive liability as the big H, but its not as far away as the pro weed crowd would have one believe. Its on the same continuum as H, just further to the left side and less damaging to society. There are plenty of people severely addicted to weed and derivatives who cant do anything without it and who suffer immensely when they cant get it. Most H addicts suffer no delusions about their addiction but pot heads are some of the worst when it comes to denial of their chemical dependence.
I think all of it should be legal, though, and the money spent on prohibition re-directed to treatment and education.
Because pot was illegal, one had to associate with all kinds of characters one would likely avoid if not seeking to buy weed. It introduced me, at about age 15 to the drug subculture. For several years pot was all I desired but that habit laid the foundation for the pursuit of other substances. Pots not as dangerous nor does it have the same addictive liability as the big H, but its not as far away as the pro weed crowd would have one believe. Its on the same continuum as H, just further to the left side and less damaging to society. There are plenty of people severely addicted to weed and derivatives who cant do anything without it and who suffer immensely when they cant get it. Most H addicts suffer no delusions about their addiction but pot heads are some of the worst when it comes to denial of their chemical dependence.
I think all of it should be legal, though, and the money spent on prohibition re-directed to treatment and education.