There is much debate ongoing as to whether marijuana is or isn't a gateway to cocaine or other illicit substances since Chief Justice Ivor Archie's floated the idea of decriminalising the drug.Articles are being published with scientific data and credible evidence to indicate it isn't linked to harder drug use, but I beg to differ.In my case, marijuana was indeed a gateway drug–I saw it as a remedy at first when I began smoking it during my early 20s.
It enabled me to shed inhibitions and so made it easier to socialise after being a basket case all my life before.It later became "the" gateway to other drugs I later experimented with. Having already let my guard down by smoking marijuana, it was no big deal to try what more there was out there after being offered a sample of highly-addictive cocaine–an event which I wish could be undone.
It was cocaine–that second drug–which subsequently train-wrecked my life. I wasted and destroyed anything and everything I had–job opportunities, strong family ties, fine broughtupsy, money, being of reputable character, being trustworthy, reliable and responsible. Marijuana had opened up an appetite for more mind-altering substances.
I've passed through two rehabilitation institutions (unsuccessfully) during the struggle to break that secondary cocaine habit. While at the first rehab facility there was a teenager like me, seeking recovery, who was pitiful to look at. He was sleep-deprived from having nightmares and constant hallucinations of snakes crawling all over his body after drifting off to sleep and, get this, the only drug he ever used was marijuana.
Fortunately I was able to break the cocaine habit after forging a relationship with Jesus Christ.I am sure there are many more stories from others like myself who regret ever indulging in marijuana-smoking.
Yes, it is understandable that decriminalising has benefits: relieving the backlog at the courts as well as freeing-up police officers of unnecessary obligations, etc. However, the big question remains: would this intended decriminalising be a good excuse for others (just like I did during my 20s) to also let their guard down, take a casual smoke of marijuana since it might no longer be an offence to do so, and thus fall into the same abysmal circumstances I and others endured (or are still enduring)?
It happened with me, it can happen with others.
Alexander N,
via e-mail