Kelley Webster
ENGL 1101, Composition and Rhetoric
Professor McClellan
Essay 2, Persuasion
17 Apr 2014
Does marijuana usage lead to stronger drug usage?
I. Research studies regarding psychiatric disorders and substance use suggest several possible
links between marijuana users and other stronger drug use.
A. Marijuana can be a gateway to drugs like cocaine and heroin.
II. Research studies have clearly shows that marijuana is potentially dangerous.
A. The risk of using cocaine is 104 times greater for marijuana users.
B. Marijuana puts children in danger and in contact with drug dealers that leads them to
other drugs.
III. Many opposing views states that marijuana does not lead directly to other stronger drug use.
A. Most research on marijuana in linking to harder drugs is vague and lacks scientific proof.
B. Marijuana has proven medical use in treatment of various ailments and it is known to be
beneficial when used as prescribed to avoid addiction.
IV. Conclusion
Webster 1
Marijuana usage does lead to stronger drug usage
Does the names astro turf, blunt, chronic, dope, reefer, pot and weed—mean anything to
you? It should because they are some of the street names for marijuana that comes from the
Cannabis plant. Marijuana has harmful effects, both short and long-terms. Marijuana causes
problems in a person’s daily life and can eventually lead any consistent user to the “gateway” of
other drugs. Research studies of psychiatric disorders and substance use have shown several
possible links between marijuana users leading to other stronger drugs. Many people will say
that marijuana is not dangerous, but marijuana usage does lead to stronger drug usage.
Research clearly shows that marijuana has the potential to cause problems in daily life.
According to the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, a study of postal workers found that
employees who tested positive for marijuana had 55% more accidents, 85% more injuries and a
