It is not likely that this article was written by someone who has spent any time working in the area of drug treatment.  More often than not, an assessment on a current addict in treatment will reveal that marijuana WAS the gateway drug that led into more serious addictions.  Abuse of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs often follows marijuana use.  Whether the marijuana use prompts curiosity about other highs or whether it reduces ones ability to make decisions, leading to the decision to try a deadly drug is not the point.  The point is – marijuana is not good and its use should not be promoted on any level.
What should be promoted are effective drug education and drug treatment and the message that there are marijuana addicts amongst us. They need help – not the message that it is OK.