Why is marijuana called a “gateway” drug?

Because of its role in leading to the use of other, harder drugs like heroin, cocaine and meth. This is among marijuana's most harmful consequences. According to DEA, long-term studies of students who use drugs show that very few young people use other illegal drugs without first trying marijuana. Not everyone who uses marijuana will move on to other drugs, but using marijuana sometimes lowers inhibitions about drug use and exposes users to a culture that encourages experimentation and use of other drugs.

Does experimentation with marijuana increase the chances of a user moving on to harder drugs?

Yes. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, pot users are two to five times more likely to go on to use harder drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the risk of using cocaine has been estimated to be more than 104 times greater for those who have tried marijuana than for those who have never tried it.

Among marijuana's most harmful consequences is its role in leading to the use of other, harder drugs.

Do most drug users start with marijuana? What is the most commonly abused illegal drug that leads teens to seek treatment?

According to DEA, more teens are in treatment for marijuana use than for any other drug or for alcohol. Sixty percent of teenagers in drug treatment are seeking help for their marijuana addiction.

Adolescent admissions to substance abuse facilities for marijuana grew from 43 percent of all adolescent admissions in 1994 to 60 percent in 1999. It has a reputation for a reason – it serves as the introduction to the drug culture for a majority of youth.