This argument rages on, with the anti-pot brigade forever screaming that weed is *
the* gateway drug, not *
A* gateway drug.
Alcohol and tobacco can also be considered 'gateway' drugs, as can cannabis, coffee and a whole plethora of legal prescription drugs. There is a lot of study based evidence that alcohol is a far more common gateway drug than others. However, because it is a legal poison, it doesn't get the publicity that weed does. Nor do all the prescription drugs fed to people by GPs.
Sociological factors (lifestyle, upbringing and even your hometown) are recognized as being the main causative factors in why people end up abusing whatever drug they choose to ingest. Your '
Cultural Capital' is more likely the 'gateway' to drug use and/or abuse.
End of silly science/sociology lesson.