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"Study of 4000 indicates marijuana discourages use of hard drugs." A ground-breaking study of 4,117 marijuana smokers in California reveals that the 'Gateway Theory' probably had it backwards. Instead of enticing young people to use other drugs, this study suggests that marijuana may have the opposite effect.

This public service advertisement appeared in the National Review, the New Republic, the American Prospect, The Nation, Reason Magazine, and The Progressive in the summer of 2008.

A camera-ready copy of this PSA is available in Portable Document Format (PDF).
Study of 4000 indicates
marijuana discourages use
of hard drugs.
pot leaf equal sign medical symbol
   A ground-breaking study of 4117 marijuana smokers in California1 reveals that the 'Gateway Theory' probably had it backwards. Instead of enticing young people to use other drugs, this study suggests that marijuana may have the opposite effect.

   This first-ever clinical examination of a large number of medical marijuana applicants depicts a population that is remarkably normal. The percentages earning bachelors' degrees and doctorates are nearly identical to the national numbers. They are, in the main, productive citizens with jobs, homes and families who smoke marijuana weekly or daily – and have in some cases for decades.

   For the vast majority of these applicants, their use of cannabis ultimately led to a decrease in the use of tobacco, alcohol, and hard drugs. Asked to compare their current alcohol consumption with their lifetime peak, over 10% claimed to be abstinent and nearly 90% claimed to have cut their drinking in half.

   They also report using cannabis as self medication for stress and anxiety – with fewer side effects than the legal pharmaceutical alternatives.

   As children, a significant percentage of the male applicants had been treated for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Today their routine morning use of minimal amounts of cannabis strongly suggests that it enhances their ability to concentrate by allowing them to focus on one problem at a time.

   As one construction company estimator said, "After two hits and my morning coffee, I'm the best estimator in the company."
Common Sense for Drug Policy
www.CommonSenseDrugPolicy.org  www.DrugWarFacts.org
www.ManagingChronicPain.org  www.MedicalMJ.org
www.TreatingDrugAddiction.org
info@csdp.org
[1] Long term marijuana users seeking medical cannabis in California (2001–2007): demographics, social characteristics,
patterns of cannabis and other drug use of 4117 applicants. – Thomas J O'Connell and Ché B Bou Matar
http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/4/1/16