[Red Potato Standing By]

Originally Posted by Temporary_User

The problem with these debates is that people seem to automatically bring alochol into the discussion. Yes they are both drugs, so I get that. However, marijuana should only be compared to a drug such as caffeine.
There are of course differences between the two; one being that caffeine is physically addictive.
As Nage Waze sort of notes, both affect your sleep pattern.

Gateway drug? Give me a break! I had asprin long before I ever smoked pot (which I haven't done for around 5 years). If 99% of heroin users have used asprin does that mean it is the gateway drug?
The only reason it could possibly be a gateway drug, is because it is a gateway into the underground, illegal, black market. A drug dealer is in the market for making money, so if you keep going to your dealer for pot and they also sell other drugs offering you some, if you had a inclination to try it once, eventually you will the longer you are exposed to it.
A lot of people don't do drugs, simply because they aren't exposed to them. So many people smoke marijuana because it is all around them, they are hyper-exposed (although the older and more "professional" you get the more people hide their outside habits)

Why should it only be compared to caffeine?just curious