Marijuana is not a “gateway” drug that predicts or eventually leads to substance abuse, suggests a 12-year University of Pittsburgh study. Moreover, the study’s findings call into question the long-held belief that has shaped prevention efforts and governmental policy for six decades and caused many a parent to panic upon discovering a bag of pot in their child’s bedroom.
The Pitt researchers tracked 214 boys beginning at ages 10-12, all of whom eventually used either legal or illegal drugs. When the boys reached age 22, they were categorized into three groups: those who used only alcohol or tobacco, those who started with alcohol and tobacco and then used marijuana (gateway sequence) and those who used marijuana prior to alcohol or tobacco (reverse sequence).
Nearly a quarter of the study population who used both legal and illegal drugs at some point – 28 boys – exhibited the reverse pattern of using marijuana prior to alcohol or tobacco, and those individuals were no more likely to develop a substance use disorder than those who followed the traditional succession of alcohol and tobacco before illegal drugs, according to the study, which appears in this month’s issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
“The gateway progression may be the most common pattern, but it’s certainly not the only order of drug use,” said Ralph E. Tarter, Ph.D., professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and lead author of the study. “In fact, the reverse pattern is just as accurate for predicting who might be at risk for developing a drug dependence disorder.”
In addition to determining whether the gateway hypothesis was a better predictor of substance abuse than competing theories, the investigators sought to identify characteristics that distinguished users in the gateway sequence from those who took the reverse path. Out of the 35 variables they examined, only three emerged to be differentiating factors: Reverse pattern users were more likely to have lived in poor physical neighborhood environments, had more exposure to drugs in their neighborhoods and had less parental involvement as young children. Most importantly, a general inclination for deviance from sanctioned behaviors, which can become evident early in childhood, was strongly associated with all illicit drug use, whether it came in the gateway sequence, or the reverse.
While the gateway theory posits that each type of drug is associated with certain specific risk factors that cause the use of subsequent drugs, such as cigarettes or alcohol leading to marijuana, this study’s findings indicate that environmental aspects have stronger influence on which type of substance is used. That is, if it’s easier for a teen to get his hands on marijuana than beer, then he’ll be more likely to smoke pot. This evidence supports what’s known as the common liability model, an emerging theory that states the likelihood that someone will transition to the use of illegal drugs is determined not by the preceding use of a particular drug but instead by the user’s individual tendencies and environmental circumstances.
“The emphasis on the drugs themselves, rather than other, more important factors that shape a person’s behavior, has been detrimental to drug policy and prevention programs,” Dr. Tarter said. “To become more effective in our efforts to fight drug abuse, we should devote more attention to interventions that address these issues, particularly to parenting skills that shape the child’s behavior as well as peer and neighborhood environments.”
Indeed, according to the study, interventions focusing on behavior modification may be more effective prevention tactics than current anti-drug initiatives. For example, providing guidance to parents – particularly those in high-risk neighborhoods – on how to boost their caregiving skills and foster bonding with their children, could have a measurable effect on a child’s likelihood to smoke marijuana. Also, early identification of children who exhibit antisocial tendencies could allow for interventions before drug use even begins.
Although this research has significant implications for drug abuse prevention approaches, Dr. Tarter notes that the study has some limitations. First, as only male behaviors were studied, further investigation should explore if the results apply to women as well. Also, the examination of behaviors in phases beyond alcohol and marijuana consumption in the gateway series will be necessary.
From University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
PDF 
alcohol and nicotine are just as likely to be the answers to the question “If you have used more than one drug, which was your first?” Also, wouldn’t it be more accurate to say that there is a “gateway personality” than a gateway drug?
Sure, a large percentage of hard drug users will indicate that they have smoked marijuana, but a _very_ large percentage of marijuana users indicate that they have NOT EVER used a hard drug…..Sounds like the “post hoc ergo propter hoc” fallacy to me….
Besides, shouldn’t the government be trying to curb pharmaceutical abuse rather than simple marijuana use, as the studies say that this grows more and more every year? Xanax and Vicodin can kill quite easily in overdose or when used carelessly with alcohol. Marijuana cannot.
This is all assuming that those “ads” work anyway…….
I know everyone says that pot isn’t like addicting or whatever but if it’s not addicting why was it all that ran through my head when I tried to quit so many times before I actually found a program that really worked for me? I was what you would call and complete an utter “pothead!” I smoked when I woke up, I smoked before and after I ate a meal, I smoked before bed! All I did was smoke weed! Then one day something happened to me and I realized, ” ideally have to stop!” I was spending sooooo much money and wasting my life away with marijuana! So I searche the Internet for ways to stop. I bought multiple programs before I gave up and just kept on smoking. Then one day my brother told me about the program he had ordered a few months back. He had been clean for 57 days and is still counting! I was so proud yet so Jealous but before all of that, I was curious how he found something that worked and I didn’t! So I ordered the ” Caninis Coach: Quit Smoking Marijuana 5-disc Audio program for myself. I mean, I had already spent a couple hundred on things that didn’t do crap for helping me, why not spend $40 for something that had worked for my blood? I am now 42 days sober and getting ready to start attending the Paul Mitchell hair school I had been wanton to attend since as far back as I can remember! I am so proud of myself and I wish that anything with a marijuana habit could see what being sober and doing something with your life does to a person! I am so happy! No more depression, no more anxiety, no more other drugs just to try and get my mind off the green! I think that anyone who’s really serious about getting sober and being somebody who can say “I’m proud of myself!” should be serious enough to spend $40 to kick your habit for the rest of your life! Atleast go to the website and check it all out! I can give you my 42 days sober word, if your serious about it, this program is definitely the way to go!!!
Here’s a link for anyone interested,
http://8191dt57sxngvla3klc6ju8zf0.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=CANICOACH1
Different people have different aspects on thing and you became addicted … I have’nt and I’ve been smoking herbs for several years now… Its just you
1. A UCLA study was unable to link marijuana use with cancer so that argument is out
2. You cannot overdose and die from marijuana use.
3. It is only a gateway drug because it is grouped and sold along with the other illegal drugs.
4. It is less addictive than caffeine.
5. 20 million americans smoke it so it isn’t going away!
Is there really any good reason it shouldn’t be legalized?
Pretty part of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact loved account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing in your feeds or even I achievement you access persistently rapidly.
You know therefore significantly relating to this topic, made me in my view believe it from a lot of numerous angles. Its like men and women aren’t involved unless it’s one thing to do with Woman gaga! Your individual stuffs outstanding. At all times take care of it up!
Yeah buddy! They should just legalize this shit already.
Marijuana IS a gateway drug, for more marijuana.
I would just like to point out that the title of this page is “study says marijuana no gateway drug.” I agree though that marijuana isn’t a gateway drug.