Joe Biden did not state that Marijuana is a gateway drug

[Gothmog]

Here is his full statement

Link to tweet

[greyl]

1. Technically, that's a follow up statement, not his original statement in full context.

I'm sure someone can post the full video from Vegas.

[ritapria]

2. I believe Joe said during the debate

He favored research to determine whether cannabis was a gateway drug … I predict Cory Booker will not be Biden's pick for VP

[Thekaspervote]

3. Here is Biden's official stance on marijuana

Link to tweet

/photo/1

[questionseverything]

14. none of that lets people in public housing or taking student loans off the hook

some states will still use it to keep people off food stamps

people will still go the jail over growing a weed for their pain

he really needs to listen to booker on this

[Cha]

4. Thank you, Goth!

[JoeOtterbein]

5. That idea would have been kind,...

...if Joe said it in the 90's!

[bluedovepdx]

6. He said it may be a gateway drug

[Thekaspervote]

8. Did you read the post???

[bluedovepdx]

10. Yes

Biden didn't say it isn't a gateway drug. He said it requires more study. His position is not legalization (for recreational use) at the federal level. Other candidates are for legalization. The distinction matters. Sorry if that is inconvenient for you.

[Thekaspervote]

16. It is not his stance... you're trying to make it out to be something it isn't!!

Link to tweet

/photo/1

[bluedovepdx]

17. No

I am not. As was previously posted, did you watch the video, listen to his words? Nothing I stated was inaccurate. Biden is not for the legalization of recreational marijuana at the federal level and that has consequences. He said it will be a civil penalty. Rather than you reposting that graphic tell me where I'm incorrect based on his words. The distinction matters in the realm of employment status and other issues. He left the door open to him thinking it's a gateway drug. His words are his words.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

11. Did you listen to his actual words?

[LanternWaste]

20. This is troubling for Bernie.

[pnwmom]

18. Yes, he said there needed to be more research about WHETHER it was a gateway drug

before it was legalized at the Federal level. That means he is leaving open the possibility that it is a gateway drug.

However, he also has called for decriminalization, and that's a good first step.

[thesquanderer]

19. He might as well have called for more research about whether human activity affects climate change.

On this side of the aisle, we are supposed to be past these debates. Stopdiggin's analysis of the meaning of "gateway drug" (post #15) is spot on.

[Thekaspervote]

7. Thx Gothmog... it's all right there... but just can't please everyone

[msongs]

9. it is a gateway drug for some, a first step towards harder drugs, to deny that is irresponsible nt

[Buzz cook]

12. You misuse the term Gateway drug

The term means that if a person uses marijuana they will automatically use other drugs. It does not mean that some very small part of the group that uses marijuana will possibly use other drugs.

The evidence indicates that marijuana in and of itself does not lead to the use of other drugs. At this point in the history and study of drug use the burden of proof is on those who claim marijuana is a gateway.

[stopdiggin]

15. gateway drug has very little true meaning

either in terms of science or medicine. It's a nonsense phrase that started getting tossed around in the 70s .. without any factual definition or meaning then .. or now.

Cannabis is no more "gateway" to other drug use than caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, (or sugar drinks for that matter).

[caraher]

13. Well, it's technically true that he didn't say it *is* a gateway drug

But what he did say that drew all the attention was this (from the Washington Post; there's also a clip in the video a few posts up):

“The truth of the matter is, there’s not nearly been enough evidence that has been acquired as to whether or not it is a gateway drug,” Biden said. “It’s a debate, and I want a lot more before I legalize it nationally. I want to make sure we know a lot more about the science behind it.”

This is not something someone who believes it is definitely not a gateway drug would say. This is what you say when you think there is enough of a possibility that it is a gateway drug that you would hesitate to legalize it nationally, and when you believe there is an active scientific debate on the topic.

A fair summary of that stance would be to say he thinks it "may be" a gateway drug. (I would agree it's totally unfair to take his answer as a statement that it "is" a gateway drug.)

The link in the OP shows Biden trying to nuance his position in response to the criticism he's received. In this discussion he says he's seen no evidence that it is a gateway drug, and that the science he's talking about is not focused on whether marijuana is a gateway drug. Which is probably true.

But if you look at the context where this whole thing started, he was simply asked for his view on legalization. Biden brought up the gateway drug concept himself, and discussed it as an area of possible scientific uncertainty twice (even while confessing to not knowing the science well enough himself).

If you want to see the unedited video of the full original event there's a link on the Forbes web site

[Gothmog]

21. FDA warns 15 companies for illegally selling....cannabidiol as agency details safety concerns

The concerns that the FDA has with respect to CBD will also apply to legalize marijuana

Link to tweet

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to 15 companies for illegally selling products containing cannabidiol (CBD) in ways that violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The FDA also published a revised Consumer Update detailing safety concerns about CBD products more broadly. Based on the lack of scientific information supporting the safety of CBD in food, the FDA is also indicating today that it cannot conclude that CBD is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) among qualified experts for its use in human or animal food.

Today’s actions come as the FDA continues to explore potential pathways for various types of CBD products to be lawfully marketed. This includes ongoing work to obtain and evaluate information to address outstanding questions related to the safety of CBD products, while maintaining the agency’s rigorous public health standards. The FDA plans to provide an update on its progress regarding the agency’s approach to these products in the coming weeks.

“As we work quickly to further clarify our regulatory approach for products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds like CBD, we’ll continue to monitor the marketplace and take action as needed against companies that violate the law in ways that raise a variety of public health concerns. In line with our mission to protect the public, foster innovation, and promote consumer confidence, this overarching approach regarding CBD is the same as the FDA would take for any other substance that we regulate,” said FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Amy Abernethy, M.D., Ph.D. “We remain concerned that some people wrongly think that the myriad of CBD products on the market, many of which are illegal, have been evaluated by the FDA and determined to be safe, or that trying CBD ‘can’t hurt.’ Aside from one prescription drug approved to treat two pediatric epilepsy disorders, these products have not been approved by the FDA and we want to be clear that a number of questions remain regarding CBD’s safety – including reports of products containing contaminants, such as pesticides and heavy metals – and there are real risks that need to be considered. We recognize the significant public interest in CBD and we must work together with stakeholders and industry to fill in the knowledge gaps about the science, safety and quality of many of these products.”

Many unanswered questions and data gaps about CBD toxicity exist, and some of the available data raise serious concerns about potential harm from CBD. The revised Consumer Update outlines specific safety concerns related to CBD products, including potential liver injury, interactions with other drugs, drowsiness, diarrhea, and changes in mood. In addition, studies in animals have shown that CBD can interfere with the development and function of testes and sperm, decrease testosterone levels and impair sexual behavior in males. Questions also remain about cumulative use of CBD and about CBD’s impacts on vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

[aikoaiko]

23. He has in the past. And he is currently not very clear about this issue.

:
The Hill doesn't forget when Joe was adamant about weed being a gateway drug:

Biden reverses, says marijuana isn't a gateway drug

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/472093-biden-reverses-says-marijuana-isnt-a-gateway-drug

Former Vice President Joe Biden on Monday walked back his previous comments about marijuana's status as a "gateway drug" while also insisting that he had never made such a claim.

but he did.

And in 2010, when asked by ABC News's George Stephanopoulos about the issue, Biden was more firm in his belief that marijuana use leads to other drug addictions.

“I still believe it's a gateway drug. I've spent a lot of my life as chairman of the [Senate] Judiciary Committee dealing with this. I think it would be a mistake to legalize,” Biden said at the time. “The punishment should fit the crime. But I think legalization is a mistake.”

Biden's campaign did not immediately return a request for comment from The Hill.