Can the use of soft drugs lead to the use of harder drugs?

It really depends. While some people insist that so-called "soft drugs" like marijuana are harmless, that is not true for everyone. Studies have shown that some people are able to be recreational smokers, or casual users, who do so only to be sociable with friends or to relax at home. But there is a certain segment of the population who have what is called an "addictive personality" and they are not able to be casual users-- they may graduate from softer drugs to something more deadly, like cocaine.

That said, the truth about marijuana is complicated. Its fans want to see it legalized and they claim it is totally safe; in fact, many adults insist smoking weed is a pleasant pastime, and no more dangerous than having a social drink. However, at this point, using marijuana is still not legal in many states, so being caught with it could cause problems for you. And while claims by detractors that marijuana is as dangerous as hard drugs are not true, it is also not true that marijuana is totally risk-free. Some people who smoke it do get dependent on it, and it can lead to lethargy. It is never safe to drive a car if you have been using marijuana. Plus smoking anything (whether it's cigarettes or marijuana) is potentially bad for your lungs. But there is no scientific evidence that the majority of marijuana smokers will go on to use hard drugs.