Pubdate: Thu, 01 Oct 2015
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Emily Jackson
Page: A1

POT COULD BE 'EXIT DRUG,' STUDY SAYS

Your Essential Daily News Research Shows Cannabis Stands in for 
Harsher Substances

Marijuana's label as a gateway drug could go up in smoke, at least 
according to a study published this month by University of Victoria 
and University of British Columbia researchers.

The study published in Drug and Alcohol Review indicates medical 
marijuana could be an "exit drug" since many people choose to use it 
instead of prescription opiates, alcohol and other illicit drugs.

The study used UBC data from more than 400 medical cannabis users 
collected between 2011 and 2012.

It found that 87 per cent were likely to use marijuana as a 
substitute for a different substance, especially prescription drugs.

People younger than 40 were most likely to substitute all three 
substances with marijuana.

Lead author Philippe Lucas, a researcher with UVic's Centre for 
Addictions Research of B.C., believes the research shows marijuana 
could potentially decrease the harm from using other substances.

"While cannabis is not benign, most research suggests that it's safer 
and less addictive than many substances," Lucas said. Lucas is also 
the vice president of patient care at Tilray, a licensed marijuana 
grow operation in Nanaimo, B.C.
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