You want "studies"? I´ll give you "studies", for what it´s worth:

http://www.equalrights4all.org/potpr...ppingstone.htm

"To cite just one example, the Partnership for a Drug Free America, an influential media-based interest group, includes marijuana with other drugs in its advertisements, communicating the message that marijuana in fact is a "gateway" to more dangerous drugs.' "

"Swedish drug policy is based on the assumption that people trying and using cannabis during their school years constitute a recruiting base for those who later become heavy drug abusers."

http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v97.n196.a04.html

And this i found in a quick search! Imagine if i had more time...
Scientists can never agree to anything, and they usually fall under a more political pressure to produce certain results.
If you want to really know the problem, you need to be a part of it, and you need to experience it hand to hand, on the streets. Not on some office surrounded of guys in white coats.
:indeed:

Some more links:
HERE:

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"Quincitilius Varus, give me back my legions!"
Emperor Augustus of Rome.

Swamp_Thing:
You are clearly, deeply mistaken.
Lets see, point by point, what it is I have said thus far:
Firstly, I debated Aether on his use of the DEA's paper. I pointed out the sources and discussed them for their value, which was mostly medical research. I added some other reports which stated benefits for the drug, which was one of my points of contention.
I also said that Grisus and Aethers claim about the drug affecting people the way they described, was not a rotund fact, but more the result of a certain study.
You should calm down a bit, for I have done nothing but debate coherently and summarising my points, as well as backing my claims with the sources used.
Aether said your claims about weed correlated the DEA report, and SARCASTICALLY, I asked, and am still awaiting an answer, if he thinks the DEA agrees that you can improve your concentration if you smoke weed. I dont care if its in some situations or not, Aether compared your experiences of the drug as fitting the DEA report, when in fact they contradict each other on various points, some of which I mentioned.

I have not been in rehab. I have smoked weed, taken LSD, tried cocaine, mushrooms and speed. I did all except weed on counted occasions, having taken speed once, and coke twice. This in the span of 10 years. LSD i've tried twice. I have been lucky enough to be able to try these drugs without becoming addicted. I tried these drugs because of curiosity, and I have since managed to stay clear from them. I have a close relative who used heroin and thus I will never even touch that drug.

When Aether posted his link about the drug being a gateway drug, I quoted the parts where the researchers expressed their qualms about the existence of a causal link between weed and harder drugs. So basically, I pointed out some information which he cared to disregard.
When you say "the majority will use it to climb the drug ladder to heavier stuff, like cocaine, speed, or even crack cocaine and heroine" is that supposed to be a fact? Do you seriously say that everyone in Portugal, or rather, the majority in Portugal who try weed will go on to heroin? I can tell you it is not the case in Spain.
If you believe that because you were an addict you have more insight or more validiy in your arguments, you are very wrong. If your posts dont make sense, I will point it out, and thus far I have. You claim a majority will go on ot harder drugs, and your link proving this clearly states, in case you didnt bother to read: Cannabis users with harddrug experience accounted for fewer than 10% of the participants in our focus groups. Some majority! The other report, admits a possibility, and again statistically concludes that an individual who doesnt smoke is 17 times more likely to go on to other drugs.
When you or Aether decide to answer my questions, or actually debate what I say, go ahead, I will continue debating.

@Barca - pretty frustrating, isn't it?

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In this country, we don't need reasons to make things legal; we need reasons to make things illegal. - Startup

Denial always is

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Drug Addict is a Drug Addict no matter what his choice of drug it is! If you smoke more than an occasional joint or drink more than an occasional drink you do have a problem. Believe it or not. All this crock of not doing it when you choose... why do you continuously do it then? "Because I want to". Listen to yourself and realize that is someone that doesn't want to admit that he has a problem... just like the alcoholic that thinks brishing teeth and having a drink is perfectly nornal.

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Ok, I am an addict. I smoke a couple of joints a week and I need serious help. The fact that I lead a normal life, have friends and family who care for me is not enough.
I need rehabilitation to get of the wacky tobacky.

All I can conclude is:
Aether, I might be in denial, but I have put up a solid argument and you are yet to answer my questions, especifically the ones involving my denial when you correlate Swamp_Things experience with drugs and the DEA report. I have QUASHED your bullshit argument about me being in denial, and your answer to my questions is I am still in denial. Ok mate, very mature. Keep talking politics or behaving like a little boy.
Swamp_Thing: Try to read my posts and then attack.
Grisu: You need to grow up and get out a bit more. If I have a problem for smoking weed, would I have a problem with alcohol If I drank a beer or two a week?

Fatboyshare: Frustrating isnt quite the word. When you ask questions, present solid arguments, point out the contradictions in theirs, and it all goes unanswered, or rather, the answer I get is I am a junkie in denial..... I feel a tad more than frustrated. Ooops, it might be Im on a comedown. I need my drugs....NOW....puff puff...ahhhhhh
Damn, I really have a problem.

Welcome to my world.

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In this country, we don't need reasons to make things legal; we need reasons to make things illegal. - Startup

So it seems.
The best part is how they carry on posting, patronising, making you look like you have an addiction problem, comparing their expertise.... and yet they fail to answer the simplest of questions. They fail to engage in debate. They fail to actually compare points and reach a comeback.
Aether, Swamp_Thing.... I am still awaiting. Even if I was in denial, you should be able to answer the simple questions proposed. And Swamp_Thing, you might even realize how quick you were to jump at my throat

Next on the list: cough medicine

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4608341/

Who'd ever thunk that every time my kids get the sniffles I'm giving them the gateway drug to heroin?

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In this country, we don't need reasons to make things legal; we need reasons to make things illegal. - Startup

Mom, I have the flu
No son, you're in denial