Researcher's Study of Twins Bolsters 'Gateway Theory' (For Early Marijuana Use)

Medscape ^ | 2003 | Brown University Behavior Letter

[shrinkermd]

Many studies have examined the "gateway" theory, that marijuana use at a young age leads to use of harder drugs as a person grows older. While there is a general consensus among studies that those who use marijuana are much more likely to use hard drugs and that hard drug users usually use marijuana first, there is lively debate surrounding the reasons for these dynamics.

[presidio9]

Yeah, making it legal for them to purchase drugs at a lower price sure will discourage them. Sure drugs will be cheaper for everyone, but those who sell them to kids will take the same markup.

[presidio9]

No. Because it is not founded on any practical understanding of the individuals who sell drugs to kids. A lot of them are kids themselves.

[MrLeRoy]

the precendent is established

That precedent is long-abandoned.

and I am talking about in a practical sense, not a legal one.

Baloney---YOU'RE the one who introduced legality into the discussion. At least try to keep your story straight.

[MrLeRoy]

those who sell them to kids will take the same markup.

What percentage of dealers derive the majority of their profits from sales to kids?

[Sir Gawain]

Yeah, making it legal for them to purchase drugs at a lower price sure will discourage them. Sure drugs will be cheaper for everyone, but those who sell them to kids will take the same markup.

The same markup? It's obvious you do not understand how dealers currently make money. They make money the same way every big retailer makes money. They buy in bulk, and sell smaller amounts at higher prices. They don't, like you seem to say, buy from a dealer for $40 and then sell it to someone for $45 or $50. There's no money in that.

Using your logic, it would still be profitable to be a bootlegger.

[presidio9]

What percentage of dealers derive the majority of their profits from sales to kids?

Who knows, but these are the people I am most concerned with. Whether they make less money, or if they have to take a second job is irrelevant. You can not deny that legalizing drugs makes their job easier.

[MrLeRoy]

it is not founded on any practical understanding of the individuals who sell drugs to kids.

Or so you keep claiming.

A lot of them are kids themselves.

Who supplies them, and with what motives?

And what about the non-kids who sell to kids?

You seem to be making this up as you go along.

[cinFLA]

I've asked this many times, but have never gotten an ansewer, so maybe one of y'all could be the first...What is the chemical or compound in marijuana that causes the gateway effect?

NONE. If you knew the gateway theory, you would know your question is NOT relevant to the gateway theory.

[MrLeRoy]

Whether they make less money [...] is irrelevant.

What utter nonsense---how much money they make is THE factor in determining whether they do it.

[jmc813]

If you knew the gateway theory

Well, I keep asking you and never get an answer, so how should I know what it is? In your own words, what is the gateway theroy?

[MrLeRoy]

If you knew the gateway theory, you would know your question is NOT relevant to the gateway theory.

Are you going to tell us what you think the gateway theory is, or are you just going to do your usual bubble dance?

[Sir Gawain]

You can not deny that legalizing drugs makes their job easier.

I can and will deny it. It makes their job harder. Show me the millionaire bootlegger please.

Do you not realize what happened in NY when cigarette taxes were increased? It created a black market for cigarettes that exactly mimicked what happened during Prohibition. You can make all the laws you want, but you cannot stop supply and demand.

[presidio9]

Using your logic, it would still be profitable to be a bootlegger.

Nope, because alcohol is legal. When pot is legal either kids will have ready access to it (is this what you want?) or they are going to have to continue buying it from dealers. The dealers will still buy in bulk and sell smaller quantities at higher prices. The only thing that will have changed is that it will cost less to acquire that bulk. But if right now the pot they sell for $50 cost them $40 on average now they will sell $20 for $30. Like you said, they gotta make a living.

[PaxMacian]

You have not discussed one thing with me.
You have answered none of my questions.
You have called me names and given false witness.
You expect me to deny my God, except your tyranny, and denounce the Bible so that I may talk to an unrepentant espouser of a self proclaimed satanist's words.
I am not alone in my insistence as I have the word of God.
I do not need the likes of you.
And, I will continue to expose your lies and propaganda.

[Trailerpark Badass]

NONE. If you knew the gateway theory, you would know your question is NOT relevant to the gateway theory.

Please, clue us in. Don't keep all that special knowledge to yourself.

[presidio9]

I have a great relationship with God. Your literal interpretation of the Bible to support your drug habit holds no meaning for me, and is such irrelevant to this conversation. Tell somebody who cares.

[MrLeRoy]

When pot is legal either kids will have ready access to it

They already do: "teens find marijuana easier to buy than cigarettes and alcohol." - National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, CASA 2002 Teen Survey

[headsonpikes]

"God is not on the side of tyrants."

I can hardly believe that this needs to be said.

[Sir Gawain]

Using your logic, it would still be profitable to be a bootlegger.

Nope, because alcohol is legal.

Do you realize what you just said? You just made my point for me.

When pot is legal either kids will have ready access to it (is this what you want?) or they are going to have to continue buying it from dealers.

Kids have easier access to it now than they will when it is legal. Dealers will become few and far between. The black market will dry up, and it will become regulated and taxed like alcohol. Why can't you understand that?

[presidio9]

The only utter nonsense is the belief that less kids will use pot (and thereby be 85 times more likely to use coke) if pot is legalized.