I think that it is a game of statistics. “For most people” it is not a good thing. Me included. And my old friend from high school who started dealing and wasted most of his life doing drugs. He was our go to dealer and had pretty much everything. But he started by using pot so there is some truth to it being a gateway drug.
Apparently the new weed is much stronger and now you can ingest almost pure THC? Not sure what form or how but according to my son, his friend zoned out in the corner when he took it. My sons friend was pulled in and is pretty much a “loser” with a bunch of “loser” friends who all do drugs. They all share an apartment because they cannot afford to be on their own. Can’t hold down a job, etc. Sad.
Gateway drug? Dealers sell what makes them profits. I tried a few things back when I was in High School, but for the most part, nothing else really appealed to me. Never went near any needles, and neither did any of those people I knew who indulged in marijuana.
I have some practically pure extract that you can get relatively cheap these days, something over 93% pure THCa. And again, for this stuff, just a little bit will do the trick.
To each their own, but to look down upon recreational MJ users doesn't make much sense to me as I've seen the results of many different products that are legal which tend to destroy a person faster and much more thoroughly than MJ.