[unspun]

// The new DPRC research thus demonstrates that the phenomena supporting claims that marijuana is a gateway drug also support the alternative explanation: that it is not marijuana use but individuals' opportunities and unique propensities to use drugs that determine their risk of initiating hard drugs. The research does not disprove the gateway theory; it merely shows that another explanation is plausible. \\

The basic principles of economics and marketing are borne out, in either case. Boiling it down to one short sentence: The more drugs are available on the market, the more use there will be, of a greater variety of drugs.

That's true to a saturation point, of course. I pray America never gets to that point, where every hungry soul has his fill of this society crippling vice.

[tacticalogic]

I pray America never gets to that point, where every hungry soul has his fill of this society crippling vice.

And I pray that we do get there, and find that our fill is little more than a curious nibble.

[monkey]

I was asking specifically about your earlier comment: "if intoxicants including marijuana are more freely available, they will simply add to the use of hard drugs, among those who are so inclined".

The authors are saying that they can't tell if there would be more hard drug use if marijuana were more/less available.

Suppose, for example, that 100 individuals are prone to use drugs, starting with marijuana. 5 go on to use heroin. If marijuana were not available, but heroin was, would more than 5 start with heroin? Or would the same 5 use heroin, or less than 5? The study says, basically, they don't know. It's a very hard thing to figure out, because the potential underlying variable that they mention (proneness to using soft or hard drugs) is difficult to quantify.

[tpaine]

"The basic principles of economics and marketing are borne out, in either case. Boiling it down to one short sentence:
The more drugs are available on the market, the more use there will be of a greater variety of drugs."


So what? -- The problem society faces comes from the substance ~abuse~ behaviors of individuals, not from the type of substance used. Use & abuse are not the same.
-- You prohibitionists are trying to alter human nature by prohibitions on goods, an impossible task, contrary to constitutional principles.

Attempts to control 'vice' with law only corrupt the legal system, as was evident with booze prohibition.
Its time to stop the WOD charade, and let states regulate the trade. Then we will see whether the "basic principles of economics and marketing are borne out".
They will be, and the rational rule of law will return to our republic.