"[T]he vast majority of people who use marijuana never progress to using other illicit drugs, or even to becoming regular marijuana consumers... The principal connection between marijuana and other illicit drugs mostly involves the nature of the market, not the nature of the high. In the Netherlands, where the marijuana market has been quasi-legal and regulated for decades, marijuana use is less prevalent than in the United States, and those who do consume marijuana are less likely to use other illicit drugs... Perhaps most important, new evidence now indicates that the proliferation of medical marijuana laws and dispensaries around the United States is strongly associated with fewer people dying from overdoses involving heroin and pharmaceutical opioids. The most likely reason is that people are finding marijuana more helpful than opioids in managing different types of pain."


Ethan Nadelmann, JD, PhD

Executive Director of Drug Policy Alliance

"Fears of Marijuana's Gateway Effect Vastly Exceed the Evidence," nytimes.com

Apr. 26, 2016 Executive Director of Drug Policy Alliance"Fears of Marijuana's Gateway Effect Vastly Exceed the Evidence," nytimes.comApr. 26, 2016

"[T]he vast majority of people who use marijuana never progress to using other illicit drugs, or even to becoming regular marijuana consumers... The principal connection between marijuana and other illicit drugs mostly involves the nature of the market, not the nature of the high. In the Netherlands, where the marijuana market has been quasi-legal and regulated for decades, marijuana use is less prevalent than in the United States, and those who do consume marijuana are less likely to use other illicit drugs... Perhaps most important, new evidence now indicates that the proliferation of medical marijuana laws and dispensaries around the United States is strongly associated with fewer people dying from overdoses involving heroin and pharmaceutical opioids. The most likely reason is that people are finding marijuana more helpful than opioids in managing different types of pain."


"Marijuana use is positively correlated with alcohol use and cigarette use, as well as illegal drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine. This does not mean that everyone who uses marijuana will transition to using heroin or other drugs, but it does mean that people who use marijuana consume more, not less, legal and illegal drugs than do people who do not use marijuana.


People who are addicted to marijuana are three times more likely to be addicted to heroin.


The legalization of marijuana increases availability of the drug and acceptability of its use. This is bad for public health and safety not only because marijuana use increases the risk of heroin use."


Robert L. DuPont, MD

President of the Institute for Behavior and Health

"Marijuana Has Proven to Be a Gateway Drug," nytimes.com

Apr. 26, 2016 President of the Institute for Behavior and Health"Marijuana Has Proven to Be a Gateway Drug," nytimes.comApr. 26, 2016

"Marijuana use is positively correlated with alcohol use and cigarette use, as well as illegal drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine. This does not mean that everyone who uses marijuana will transition to using heroin or other drugs, but it does mean that people who use marijuana consume more, not less, legal and illegal drugs than do people who do not use marijuana.People who are addicted to marijuana are three times more likely to be addicted to heroin.The legalization of marijuana increases availability of the drug and acceptability of its use. This is bad for public health and safety not only because marijuana use increases the risk of heroin use."