Fiolar, I believe it to be less harmful than alcohol. I am not aware of any indications that cannabis leads to the taking of other drugs and I don't believe that cannabis is physically addictive in the way say alcohol is. Where cannabis may be involved is that to take it, at least over here, people have already demonstrated the willingess to try illegal substances and may go on to further experimentation - this can not be considered to be an effect of the drug.

Personally, I don't like cannabis - rather than getting the relaxed effect, I get anxiety and paranoia (in terms of I'm going to die) although it is fair to say that I have only ever taken it while under the influence of alcohol...

Jon