The pro-mj people have tried to say that mj is not a gateway drug, but it is a fact. Practically no people who have never taken drugs go straight to meth, heroin etc.
Dis - since being a commie requires that a person can’t think rationally, I suppose regular mj users might more likely vote Dem but unless a thorough study was done, who knows.... might be more likely that sober people to not vote at all. Definitely regular mj use impairs mental functioning. People I am acquainted with who are regular users believe serious crap - hardcore lefitsts into the bargain. Not actual friends, but neighbors/acquaintances. And a relative...
Not to argue your main point, it undoubtedly is a gateway, but I’d argue that there are plenty of people who got to the opioids without trying MJ over the last ten years at least, by starting on pain meds and then getting hooked.