[rubecube]

Well this is timely:

http://www.metronews.ca/news/vancouv...exit-drug.html

Marijuana’s label as a gateway drug could go up in smoke, at least according to a study published this month by University of Victoria and University of British Columbia researchers.

The study used UBC data from more than 400 medical cannabis users collected between 2011 and 2012. It found that 87 per cent were likely to use marijuana as a substitute for a different substance, especially prescription drugs. (Medical marijuana is often used for pain relief.)

“While cannabis is not benign, most research suggests that it’s safer and less addictive than many substances, particularly prescription opiates,” Lucas said in a news release. Lucas is also the vice president of patient care at Tilray, a licensed marijuana grow operation in Nanaimo, B.C.