I have smoked weed for about 7 years now. It was the first drug i tried. I have tried others since but not habitually. If that the reason i tried E's, coke etc is due solely to weed why did i stop them, and continue to smoke weed? The whole 'gateway' argument is a pile of shit- proliferated by self obsessed do gooders intent of taking away any small pleasures left in this world. They try to group 'drugs' under one evil banner, but don't realise that it is probably their kids out there popping Es and stuffing coke up their noses.
Anyway, if you really want to get pedantic, the first drug i actually tried was alcohol! you don't hear the politicians lobbying for that to be banned- do i hear cries of lost tax revenue or am i just being cynical!
Here in the uk we have problems with alcohol- binge drinking at the weekends mainly. From a social point of view cannabis has far fewer implications compared to alcohol- which would you rather have- hoards of pissed up cunts fighting, smashing up cars and being generally abusive, or some chilled out stoners looking for a shop cos they've got the munchies?

Thats my rant for the day. Peace.