Reefer madness? Apparently not, according to a new Swiss survey of students that concludes teenagers who smoke pot function better than those who also use tobacco. In addition, researchers at the University of Lausanne report in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, teens who only use marijuana are apparently more socially driven and have no more psychosocial problems than those who neither smoke nor toke.

The scientists surveyed 5,263 Swiss students (2,439 females) aged 16 to 20 years, including 455 who said they smoked weed only; 1,703 who reported being tobacco and marijuana users; and 3,105 who said they did not imbibe at all.

"The gateway theory hypothesizes that the use of legal drugs (tobacco and alcohol) is the previous step to cannabis consumption," the authors wrote. "However, recent research also indicates that cannabis use may precede or be simultaneous to tobacco use and that, in fact, its use may reinforce cigarette smoking or lead to nicotine addiction independently of smoking status."

Among their findings: Compared with students who reported using both drugs, those who smoked pot only were more likely to be male (71.6 percent versus 59.7 percent); get good grades (77.5 to 66.6 percent); play sports (85.5 to 66.7 percent); and live with both parents (78.2 to 68.3 percent).

Cannabis-only smokers were also less likely than their cigarette-and-joint smoking brethren to have used other illegal drugs or to have been soused or have used pot more than twice in the previous 30 days, according to the study.

In contrast to those who shunned both substances, the pot-only crowd was more likely to be male (71.6 to 47.7 percent); have a good relationship with friends (87 versus 83.2 percent); and play sports (85.5 versus 76.6 percent). They were less likely than the abstainers, however, to get along well with their parents (74.1 percent compared with 82.4).

The researchers stressed that whereas students who smoked and toked seemed more prone to psychosocial problems, the marijuana-only users should not be dismissed.

"Even though they do not seem to have great personal, family or academic problems," they wrote, "the situation of those adolescents who use cannabis but who declare not using tobacco should not be trivialized."

Groups working toward the decriminalization of marijuana especially for medical purposes praised the findings.

"Studies like this show associations, not cause and effect," says Bruce Mirken of the Washington, D.C.–based Marijuana Policy Project, a lobby that believes marijuana should be legalized but also regulated and taxed much like cigarettes and alcohol. "But the drug czar's office regularly uses associations between marijuana use and problems like poor grades to frighten parents into thinking that cause and effect is proven. So will [it] now say that smoking marijuana makes teens have better peer relationships and be more likely to participate in sports?"

"No one wants to encourage teens to smoke marijuana," he adds, "but this study strongly suggests that the most serious problems for teens and parents isn't occasional marijuana use, but heavy use of multiple substances, which is likely a sign of kids who are seriously troubled and need help."

6 Comments

1. 1. Ngoo Nam 12:17 PM 6/10/08

   Marijuana should be legalized, regulated, taxed, and enjoyed.
   
   Geeze. Tobacco just gives you a headache.
   
   So, get real now.

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2. 2. Bacca in reply to Ngoo Nam 01:24 AM 12/17/08

   How many injuries and social problems involve a situation where alcohol was consumed? I have a small stature, a reserved personality, and a dedication to non-violence. This said, given enough drinks I'll press the biggest motherfkr in the room to step outside (with the intention of engaging in violence). In most societies, we all have at least one "stoner" friend/acquaintence. If not, you are either friendless, ignorant, or in denial. Q: Can you name a time when this individual was under the influence of Marijuana and was physically aggressive? As a social drug Marijuana Vs Alcohol... No Contest! (And alcohol is legal!)
   
   P.S. I was "ripped" when I wrote this and it didn't affect my grammer too adversely. Prohibitionists get a life.....one that will contribute to society!

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3. 3. Iagree 01:23 PM 4/8/09

   People should realize this. I know a guy who has smoked mary jane heavily for a couple years and got a 35 on his ACT in his junior year in high school. Also, a friend of mine smoked literally everyday during lunch and received straight A's, even in his Advanced Placement classes. He never managed to do that before. He said it helped relieve stress and made class material more interesting. I, incidentally, also smoke it often and have been doing well in my Aerospace Engineering classes. Clearly far less harmful than what many may think.

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4. 4. jbiltmore 11:44 AM 7/9/09

   Though this study doesn't really prove anything or suggest anything beneficial from smoking marijuana, it certainly is good news for those of thus trying to tell the world how harmless it is. Sure, I wouldnt want my kids smoking it, but then again I smoke it on occasion, and still pull straight A's. Only a year away from my Neuroscience degree.

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5. 5. thebritisharecoming 09:21 AM 7/24/09

   at 11- 17 you cannot buy alcohol.so... you get what you can get which is weed.why?because theres noone to ask you for i.d for it.so its far easier to get than alcohol.
   Now if it were legalized and regulated by the government ( just like alcohol and tobacco which are the biggest killers out of the lot) then they would actually have more CONTROL over who gets it and how much. ( e.g. over 18s only)
   at the moment users are funding criminals, when they could be paying tax.
   my friend was arrested for possessing �10 worth of weed. admittedly he was driving a car ( late at night) however in the end there was about �120,000 a years worth of cops for a silly caution of �70. WHAT A WASTE OF TIME, especially when the police couldve been doing somthing constructive lke catching cocaine or heroin dealers.
   Which reminds me the only possible way marijuana is a gateway drug is through the drug dealer. he/she cant make enough money selling weed alone. so he has to sell cocaine ecstacy etc etc, so any salesman with a product would want to upsell his produce. so he does and the kids will buy!
   simple if you want control or if you really want to get rid of these either, LEGALIZE it or BLACK OPS it.
   
   

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6. 6. dmarie23 01:34 PM 10/12/09

   i mean im a senior in highschool and i have been smoking since i was in 7th grade
   i get high before school
   at lunch
   after school
   before work
   after work
   before bed
   then start the whole routine over in the morning. its really not that bad and im passing all of my classes. which is amazing me. so they should just legalize the shit and make us happy for once

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