A new study conducted at the University of New Hampshire finds that marijuana is less of a "gateway drug" than had previously been thought.
The researchers found that, while teenagers who used marijuana were more likely to use hard, illicit drugs (such as cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin, inhalants, sedatives, stimulants, and tranquilizers) later on, this effect diminished by the time the study participants reached the age of 21. Instead, the researchers point out that other factors are more important predictors of drug use in young people, such as failure to graduate from high school or find a job.
Study researcher Karen Van Gundy, a sociologist at the University of New Hampshire, noted, "If we overly criminalize behaviors like marijuana use among teens, this could interfere with opportunities for education and employment later on, which, in turn, could be creating more drug use."
The study appears in the September issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.