What % of ZP members smoke weed?

[RACKnRAIL]

I got thinking about whitenoise22 and wondered...hmmm, how many people honestly do smoke pot that hang around here? I am not counting people that use to, tried it, didn't inhale. I'm talking about people now, these days, currently. BTW, this is a simple yes or no poll.

I will go cast my vote.

[carpefile]

:icon_thum :drunken_s :icon_salu

[El Comandante]

Quality weed is a thing of beauty. I smoke maybe once or twice a year with friends. I used to smoke once a week when I was in school. It's inconvenient now. It's hard to get (I don't know many people who smoke any more).The smell gets on everything and people can tell. I am also more concerned about trouble with the law. When I was younger I didn't worry about these things.

I'll tell you what though, booze is way more harmful and dangerous that weed is... IMHO

[freeloader105]

It's fun, I like it, but it makes you lazy and the smoke is everywhere and stays around for a while - not always a good thing. At least it's cheap as hell.

I'd definitely choose smoking weed over drinking alcohol, though.

[mountain_rage]

Lower then I thought, I was at least expecting 3 resident stoners.

[Feather]

I am a truck driver by trade I cant afford to jepordize my lively hood for pot.

[mfgbypooter]

Me too.

The closest I come to any reefer is when I park next to one in a truck stop.

*

[mountain_rage]

O.K. that makes more sense, 3 resident stoners. Quite frankly I never tried the stuff, never felt compelled to.

[MoonMan]

I'm a huge pot smoker. I smoke so often that I don't feel normal when I am sober.

[mungopw]

long time stoner smoked solid since the 4th grade and stopped about 20 years later. i love the stuff and have thunk some of the greatest thoughts on the stuff and like moonman didnt feel "normal" without smoking constantly. only problem is when i ran out i was likely to do anything such as shoot herion instead. too much of an addictive personality so i stick to coffee these days.

[wingnut2600]

I enjoyed marijuana on a constant basis (several times a day) for about five years, but I have used it less than 10 times in the 10 years since... I may have taken a single hit from a joint in a park about a year and a half ago from some Serbs hanging after dark as I was walking my dog. Other than that, maybe three hits in the 5 past years.

[muffenme]

I have a natural high that I don't need to take a thing, and I don't like the feeling of being high while on drugs, it like a numbing feeling, it hard to explain.

[carpefile]

O.K. that makes more sense, 3 resident stoners. Quite frankly I never tried the stuff, never felt compelled to.

I really don't think I've ever felt compelled to either, I do it because I enjoy it.
Although I smoke it regularly, I don't really consider myself a "stoner", anymore than you would consider a guy who has a beer after work a drunk.

It has the stigma of being illegal and thats enough to make most peeps avoid it, but the reality is its simply a mood enhancer.

All I can say is it works for me and I'll probably smoke it the rest of my life.
If it doesn't work for you, then don't do it. It's not like anybody's out there pushing pot on people.

[mountain_rage]

I really don't think I've ever felt compelled to either, I do it because I enjoy it.
Although I smoke it regularly, I don't really consider myself a "stoner", anymore than you would consider a guy who has a beer after work a drunk.

It has the stigma of being illegal and thats enough to make most peeps avoid it, but the reality is its simply a mood enhancer.

All I can say is it works for me and I'll probably smoke it the rest of my life.
If it doesn't work for you, then don't do it. It's not like anybody's out there pushing pot on people.

I never placed judgment on it, most people who do smoke weed don't mind being called stoners. I do however get your point.

Anyway, it has nothing to do with legality, if it were legal I still wouldn't partake. Basically my choice revolves around my world view, I like to be in control of my life and witness all emotions. For that reason I don't get drunk and don't do drugs for kicks. Instead I animate a nipple.

[evilmegaman]

I never placed judgment on it, most people who do smoke weed don't mind being called stoners. I do however get your point.

Anyway, it has nothing to do with legality, if it were legal I still wouldn't partake. Basically my choice revolves around my world view, I like to be in control of my life and witness all emotions. For that reason I don't get drunk and don't do drugs for kicks. Instead I animate a nipple.


Animated nipples:

mountain rage's anti-drug

[w31n3r]

i never really got into the whole thing. my roomies used to be stoned almost all the time, and they're both hugely successful today in their lives. in fact, some of the most intelligent people i've met are/were pot heads. and though i'm more than a little partial to a good drink, i've always felt that alcohol and weed should switch places as far as the law is concerned...

[HelenaP]

...in fact, some of the most intelligent people i've met are/were pot heads. and though i'm more than a little partial to a good drink,

I am far more than partial to a good drink. But I am allergic.

i've always felt that alcohol and weed should switch places as far as the law is concerned...

I'm also allergic to weed, but I agree with you, w31n3r. I feel they should outlaw the alcohol and legalize the herb.

You never see a commercial on the tele saying, "Friends don't let friends drive with the munchies."

They can tax it too.

[w31n3r]

tax, you said the magic word.

i'd be interested to see statistics comparing people killed by alcohol with those killed by weed. booze is big money, big taxable money. wonder how hard it is to tax something growing in your backyard...

[HelenaP]

...wonder how hard it is to tax something growing in your backyard...

Naw. The weed growing in the government's back yard...:icon_salu

[thepuzzler]

Yep, I absolutely love smoking weed.

[rocket357]

It'd be interesting to see what happened if *all* "controlled substances" were legalized and taxed...

Well, aside from the inevitable invasion of Columbia to find "weapons of mass destruction", I don't think much would change. Most people that aren't using weed or heroin or coke would likely continue to not use.

Edit - I smoked a bit back in the day...quit before doing a stint in the military, then smoked again one time "for old times sake" (tried to keep up with a *true* pothead)...I got so baked my wife banned me from ever smoking again haha.

[RACKnRAIL]

British Columbia, Canada, is considered the bud capital of Canada, if not North America. It may still be illegal here, but everyone pretty well smokes it where they please.

I agree that if it was legalized and taxed it could bail our country out of debt. I also agree that it is less harmful than alcohol. Here's a little scenario: Dad gets home from work and cracks open a 26er...or dad gets home from work and lights up a joint. Which would be more likely to create problems? Ultimately, if dad didn't have any bad habits would be the ideal scenario, of course.

The fact of it is that Canada was on the verge of de-criminalizing pot, but the American government and DEA put too much pressure on our government to keep it suppressed, so it did not fly.

There is a sinister history behind the DEA that I will not get into. The facts are there for those that wish to find them though.

[moneoa]

British Columbia, Canada, is considered the bud capital of Canada, if not North America. It may still be illegal here, but everyone pretty well smokes it where they please.

I agree that if it was legalized and taxed it could bail our country out of debt. I also agree that it is less harmful than alcohol. Here's a little scenario: Dad gets home from work and cracks open a 26er...or dad gets home from work and lights up a joint. Which would be more likely to create problems? Ultimately, if dad didn't have any bad habits would be the ideal scenario, of course.

The fact of it is that Canada was on the verge of de-criminalizing pot, but the American government and DEA put too much pressure on our government to keep it suppressed, so it did not fly.

There is a sinister history behind the DEA that I will not get into. The facts are there for those that wish to find them though.I love my home Vancouver (in BC no less)
people are so casual about it here it usually weirds out people who visit because it's supposed to be illicit. Then in Vancouver they see the 50 year old hipster pass the joint to the 18 year old skater and reality is bent backwards...then they are either cool with how liberal we are or absolutely offended.

I am a pot smoker....it's my only vice and if I stopped I would probably put my head through a wall...lol im sure you guys have seen me on my bad days? Well I smoke a joint and then all is well again.

Also too you have to admit Steve only passes it with the help from the Bloc..who are of like conservative mind..Tories think we want to be US junior but if they pressed it you know we would be back to our good one party system again.

(for those who aren't in the know Canada is not a Democracy it is a one party Gov't who is very much an elite and ruling class whom we occasionally punish by handing the reins to the serious kid in the corner who never smiles...in the end though some charismatic fucker from the ruling party smiles and goes in a bad french accent. "Hey tabernac dis is all in da past crist just....c'mon" and we forgive them everytime....:icon_salu

[freeloader105]

*sigh* when someone gets drunk and kills a few school kids crossing a streetwalk, we call the driver a monster, an animal, etc, and want him hanged. When someone commits a crime while high, some smartass always comes out with a quote "xyz number of people who commit crimes are under the influence of some type of illicit drug - OMG OMG", implying that drugs are to blame for the person's behavior.

Oh well. Let's all keep lying to ourselves.

[drtoker]

Hmm, do I have to answer...?
I voted anyway.

[HelenaP]

Hmm, do I have to answer...?


No, you don't. LMAO!

[rainbowdemon]

I smoke about an eighth a week or so. Way more than that back in the 70's though!!

[cheapprick]

"Hey tabernac dis is all in da past crist just....c'mon" and we forgive them everytime....:icon_salu


I can hear Chretien saying it.

[Mels_Smileys45]

I like to burn one about twice a year. I use to smoke every day and its not a habbit I really want to get into again although I do love to watch movies while stoned.

[Excrement_Cranium]

What's up w/ the beer after work vs smoking a joint argument?

SERIOUSLY?

No, I wouldn't call someone who comes home and has a beer after work a drunk. I would call someone who comes home after work and gets drunk a drunk.

Either beer or cannabis in moderation may be beneficial, and either in excess are harmful. The effects of alcohol are more quickly and readily apparent.

The difficult part is finding data on the effects of long-term cannabis use (a) it's an illegal substance b) clinical trials of an illegal substance deemed to be "harmful" by propaganda or otherwise would be unethical). The second difficult part is people are so ready to be counter-culture and justify their usage, that they don't listen to a goddamn thing anyone tells them anyway (can we say "tobacco?").

We'll go with the simples, then: alcohol + liver = bad, smoke of any kind + lungs = bad.

So kids, if you want to peruse the ganja, for fuck's sake save your lungs and bake some brownies.

And please, be fucking responsible and don't drive under any sort of intoxication. No, you don't "drive better when you're high" the slight paranoia induced may cause you to pay more attention, but your reaction time and reflexes are slowed.

[moneoa]

*sigh* when someone gets drunk and kills a few school kids crossing a streetwalk, we call the driver a monster, an animal, etc, and want him hanged. When someone commits a crime while high, some smartass always comes out with a quote "xyz number of people who commit crimes are under the influence of some type of illicit drug - OMG OMG", implying that drugs are to blame for the person's behavior.

Oh well. Let's all keep lying to ourselves.Hi...... Zeropain?

[freeloader105]

Hi...... Zeropain?

Que?
(10 char)

[RACKnRAIL]

Who said beer after work? Hell, I have a beer or two on my Fridays. I don't come home and smack my dog up side the head. The scenario was referring to a drunk vs. Stoner (pothead). A 26er does not turn into a beer or visa versa. Geez man, you sure blew that out of proportion.

I do like brownies and other baked goods, but the best way to save your lungs from long-term use of pot smoke is from using a half decent quality vaporizer. The majority of ill effects are from all of the other non-THC ingredients.

I would agree that any kind of substance abuse is not good for our youths and children or adults, for that matter.

I also agree that driving under the influence of any mind altering drug, including alcohol, is reprehensible.



What's up w/ the beer after work vs smoking a joint argument?

SERIOUSLY?

No, I wouldn't call someone who comes home and has a beer after work a drunk. I would call someone who comes home after work and gets drunk a drunk.

Either beer or cannabis in moderation may be beneficial, and either in excess are harmful. The effects of alcohol are more quickly and readily apparent.

The difficult part is finding data on the effects of long-term cannabis use (a) it's an illegal substance b) clinical trials of an illegal substance deemed to be "harmful" by propaganda or otherwise would be unethical). The second difficult part is people are so ready to be counter-culture and justify their usage, that they don't listen to a goddamn thing anyone tells them anyway (can we say "tobacco?").

We'll go with the simples, then: alcohol + liver = bad, smoke of any kind + lungs = bad.

So kids, if you want to peruse the ganja, for fuck's sake save your lungs and bake some brownies.

And please, be fucking responsible and don't drive under any sort of intoxication. No, you don't "drive better when you're high" the slight paranoia induced may cause you to pay more attention, but your reaction time and reflexes are slowed.

[moneoa]

Que?
(10 char)n/m mistake

[rainbowdemon]

Who said beer after work? Hell, I have a beer or two on my Fridays. I don't come home and smack my dog up side the head. The scenario was referring to a drunk vs. Stoner (pothead). A 26er does not turn into a beer or visa versa. Geez man, you sure blew that out of proportion.


As much as I hate to say this, marijuana and alcohol do not make for a valid comparison. The main reason being that with alcohol use, intoxication isn't always the desired result. But with marijuana use it usually is.

[RACKnRAIL]

As much as I hate to say this, marijuana and alcohol do not make for a valid comparison. The main reason being that with alcohol use, intoxication isn't always the desired result. But with marijuana use it usually is.


You people have missed my point, which was no matter how much pot you smoke, a violent outbreak is far less likely from the pot abuser, as apposed to an alcohol abuser. Does anyone disagree with that?

[rainbowdemon]

You people have missed my point, which was no matter how much pot you smoke, a violent outbreak is far less likely from the pot abuser, as apposed to an alcohol abuser. Does anyone disagree with that?



Far less likely!!

[HelenaP]

I second (or is that "third") the motion.

[carpefile]

I'll agree with that, I've never gotten high and started a brawl.

Several shots of tequila on the other hand......

@MR I meant the collective you, not you in particular.

As far as usage, just like with alcohol, there's varying levels of high and tolerence to it.
I don't like to be baked, but I have a protopipe (same one for over 20 years now), and I'll take a hit or two from time to time thruout the day.
When friends drop by that partake, we sit down and burn a joint. Its a social event, its not reefer madness.
My intake has vastly decreased over the years, used to go thru an oz a week, it lasts about a month and a half these days.

[El Comandante]

Several shots of tequila on the other hand......

I love tequila. If only you didn't have to pay such a steep hangover price. Booze (in excess) has a tendency to make some people aggressive. I wonder why that is? Pot just relaxes me and eventually puts me to sleep.

[Mels_Smileys45]

We'll go with the simples, then: alcohol + liver = bad, smoke of any kind + lungs = bad.

So kids, if you want to peruse the ganja, for fuck's sake save your lungs and bake some brownies.




Brownies are not a very good way to take pot. Its not very effective. If your not wanting to get really "fucked up" eating pot is okay. Its a different kinda high though. Like a full body muscle relaxer.


There are other ways to smoke clean. Well not smoke but vaporise. There are vaporisers that Ive heard about but never tried. Sounds like to way to go but I have no idea if there are any bad side effects in doing that.

[mfgbypooter]

If you are that worried about pot smoke you can always try shoving a sticky bud up your butt.

*

[Excrement_Cranium]

Wasn't trying to single you out R&R, it's just that, especially here, the "zomg, it's not as bad as alcohol and that's legal!11!!oneone!!!1" argument is like the go-to.

( - for clarification, from this point this post is not directed at anyone - )

It is also notable, as previously mentioned, that people don't always consume alcohol with the intention of getting drunk.

I love beer. But usually, after one or two I lose interest. The alcohol is beginning to suppress my taste buds, and the beer just isn't as good. And to be honest, the alcohol free beer selection SUCKS.

And of course, herb-heads have their connoisseurs as well. You try different strains for different tastes, highs, and strengths.

But, you know what? I don't center my time and energy around defending beer. Never will. If beer were gone tomorrow, my life would go on, and I wouldn't spend all my time digging reasons why it's ok. It's just not that important.

Mood enhancer? What the fuck is wrong with your life, that you must medicate yourself to live. For fuck's sake, get a hobby, go on a trip, fall in love, fuck a stranger, go skydiving, become a cage fighter, take care of a dying person, drag race, dress in drag, go to a broadway show, go back to college, get a new job, buy a new car, buy a house, have a kid, get fat and then work out like crazy and get think again, go swimming, walk across the world, write a novel on philosophy, get a tattoo, go fishing, go camping, go hunting, cross in to Mexico illegally, go to the grocery store and pay for some random person's groceries, eat a new food. Do something, trust me, it will enhance your fucking mood.

[HelenaP]

... What the fuck is wrong with your life, that you must medicate yourself to live? For fuck's sake, get a hobby, go on a trip, fall in love, fuck a stranger, go skydiving, become a cage fighter, take care of a dying person, drag race, dress in drag, go to a broadway show, go back to college, get a new job, buy a new car, buy a house, have a kid, get fat and then work out like crazy and get think again, go swimming, walk across the world, write a novel on philosophy, get a tattoo, go fishing, go camping, go hunting, cross in to Mexico illegally, go to the grocery store and pay for some random person's groceries, eat a new food. Do something, trust me, it will enhance your fucking mood.

Testify, EC.

[freeloader105]

Mood enhancer? What the fuck is wrong with your life, that you must medicate yourself to live. For fuck's sake, get a hobby, go on a trip, fall in love, fuck a stranger, go skydiving, become a cage fighter, take care of a dying person, drag race, dress in drag, go to a broadway show, go back to college, get a new job, buy a new car, buy a house, have a kid, get fat and then work out like crazy and get think again, go swimming, walk across the world, write a novel on philosophy, get a tattoo, go fishing, go camping, go hunting, cross in to Mexico illegally, go to the grocery store and pay for some random person's groceries, eat a new food. Do something, trust me, it will enhance your fucking mood.

Or just light up a joint. It's easier. However, if someone really NEEDS to medicate himself with weed or alcohol, then I agree with you, that someone has a problem. But the rest of us have a right to on a little trip sometimes.

[Feather]

Wasn't trying to single you out R&R, it's just that, especially here, the "zomg, it's not as bad as alcohol and that's legal!11!!oneone!!!1" argument is like the go-to.

( - for clarification, from this point this post is not directed at anyone - )

It is also notable, as previously mentioned, that people don't always consume alcohol with the intention of getting drunk.

I love beer. But usually, after one or two I lose interest. The alcohol is beginning to suppress my taste buds, and the beer just isn't as good. And to be honest, the alcohol free beer selection SUCKS.

And of course, herb-heads have their connoisseurs as well. You try different strains for different tastes, highs, and strengths.

But, you know what? I don't center my time and energy around defending beer. Never will. If beer were gone tomorrow, my life would go on, and I wouldn't spend all my time digging reasons why it's ok. It's just not that important.

Mood enhancer? What the fuck is wrong with your life, that you must medicate yourself to live. For fuck's sake, get a hobby, go on a trip, fall in love, fuck a stranger, go skydiving, become a cage fighter, take care of a dying person, drag race, dress in drag, go to a broadway show, go back to college, get a new job, buy a new car, buy a house, have a kid, get fat and then work out like crazy and get think again, go swimming, walk across the world, write a novel on philosophy, get a tattoo, go fishing, go camping, go hunting, cross in to Mexico illegally, go to the grocery store and pay for some random person's groceries, eat a new food. Do something, trust me, it will enhance your fucking mood.

Wonderfully said. I couldn't agree more.
Being someone who has probably tried just about everything at one point. I have come to the point in my life that if life cant entertain me and highten my mood then I just dont need to be living. Trust me I have those days too. I have come to the conclusion that when I am down that all I have to do is read newspaper or watch the news or listen to talk radio to see that my life isnt that bad after all. When you think your life sucks just watch Jerry Springer. and get up lifted.
I take 19 pills a day just so I can live. Why on earth would I want to take something that is going to destroy all that I have.

[RACKnRAIL]

I may smoke pot on rare occasions these days, like some of you here. I do not consider myself and advocate though. I will add that as a motorcycle enthusiast, I do not drink or smoke when I ride. I will not even smoke or drink and ride in the same given day. Riding is one of my favorite hobbies. It does not need embellishment in any way.

[carpefile]

Mood enhancer? What the fuck is wrong with your life, that you must medicate yourself to live. For fuck's sake, get a hobby, go on a trip, fall in love, fuck a stranger, go skydiving, become a cage fighter, take care of a dying person, drag race, dress in drag, go to a broadway show, go back to college, get a new job, buy a new car, buy a house, have a kid, get fat and then work out like crazy and get think again, go swimming, walk across the world, write a novel on philosophy, get a tattoo, go fishing, go camping, go hunting, cross in to Mexico illegally, go to the grocery store and pay for some random person's groceries, eat a new food. Do something, trust me, it will enhance your fucking mood.
There's nothing wrong with my life, I just don't see a problem with making it better. The bottom line is, I don't presume to tell anyone else how to live, and I certainly don't need anyone else trying to tell me.
What floats your boat may leave mine still stuck in the sand.
And alcohol is commonly used as the goto, well, because its true. Sorry if that annoys you, but facts are facts.
If my kickin back and enjoying some fine herb was causing harm to someone I could see your point, but just because its not your thing doesn't give you carte blanche to run rough trod over my thing.

You gotta get past this whole stoner/slacker image you seem to have in mind. Regular ordinary people smoke pot too. We live normal productive lives, run businesses, buy houses, raise families, the whole gamut.

And as noted above, people smoke pot for the same reason that people drink. Not necessarily to become intoxicated, just to relax and unwind, hang out with friends.
You know, social interaction in a casual atmosphere.

Whatever, its not like I need approval from anyone to live my life. I live as I believe is right for me and bugger anyone who disagrees.

[Feather]

I may smoke pot on rare occasions these days, like some of you here. I do not consider myself and advocate though. I will add that as a motorcycle enthusiast, I do not drink or smoke when I ride. I will not even smoke or drink and ride in the same given day. Riding is one of my favorite hobbies. It does not need embellishment in any way.

I total agree riding needs no embellishment.

There's nothing wrong with my life, I just don't see a problem with making it better. The bottom line is, I don't presume to tell anyone else how to live, and I certainly don't need anyone else trying to tell me.
What floats your boat may leave mine still stuck in the sand.
And alcohol is commonly used as the goto, well, because its true. Sorry if that annoys you, but facts are facts.
If my kickin back and enjoying some fine herb was causing harm to someone I could see your point, but just because its not your thing doesn't give you carte blanche to run rough trod over my thing.

You gotta get past this whole stoner/slacker image you seem to have in mind. Regular ordinary people smoke pot too. We live normal productive lives, run businesses, buy houses, raise families, the whole gamut.

And as noted above, people smoke pot for the same reason that people drink. Not necessarily to become intoxicated, just to relax and unwind, hang out with friends.
You know, social interaction in a casual atmosphere.

Whatever, its not like I need approval from anyone to live my life. I live as I believe is right for me and bugger anyone who disagrees.

I drink maybe one or two drinks a year for social interaction. I dont how ever use it to unwind. IMHO if you need drugs or drinks to unwind then there is a bigger problem that needs to be addressed. But hey to each his own and who am I to judge being a exdrinker and exdrug user.

[carpefile]

I drink maybe one or two drinks a year for social interaction. I dont how ever use it to unwind. IMHO if you need drugs or drinks to unwind then there is a bigger problem that needs to be addressed. But hey to each his own and who am I to judge being a exdrinker and exdrug user.

That sort of misses the point completely. The beer or the joint are just props in the course of social interaction. Take bars for instance, some people go to them to get drunk and some people go to them to socialize, but pretty much everyone drinks at them.

I find the whole "You smoke pot, so there must be another deeper problem" line of thinking hilarious.
Years ago, my wife (who also smokes pot) and I were having difficulties in our marriage.
Our insurance wouldn't cover "Real" marriage counseling, so we went to a general counselor who worked mostly in substance abuse which was covered under our crappy hmo.
As soon as he learned that I smoked pot, well that was it, that was the cause of all our issues.
Even after we explained that no, that was something we enjoyed together, and that our problems stemmed from financial stress and resentment over the distribution of household duties, and differences in our religious beliefs, he doggedly clung to the evil pot as our issue.
Needless to say, we shit canned him. Instead, we went home, burned a big fat one, and talked into the wee hours hashing out our feelings.
We're still happily married twelve years later. I don't presume to say that pot was our therapy, it was just a prop that enabled us to sit down and unreservedly talk things out in a calm caring manner.

It all comes down to personality I guess. If you have the type of personality that leads you to use drugs or alcohol to excess, it doesn't much matter what the drug is. You will abuse it.

[HelenaP]

That sort of misses the point completely. The beer or the joint are just props in the course of social interaction. Take bars for instance, some people go to them to get drunk and some people go to them to socialize, but pretty much everyone drinks at them.

True. You forgot that they also go to meet their future ex spouse...

I find the whole "You smoke pot, so there must be another deeper problem" line of thinking hilarious.
Years ago, my wife (who also smokes pot) and I were having difficulties in our marriage.
Our insurance wouldn't cover "Real" marriage counseling, so we went to a general counselor who worked mostly in substance abuse which was covered under our crappy hmo.
As soon as he learned that I smoked pot, well that was it, that was the cause of all our issues.
Even after we explained that no, that was something we enjoyed together, and that our problems stemmed from financial stress and resentment over the distribution of household duties, and differences in our religious beliefs, he doggedly clung to the evil pot as our issue.
Needless to say, we shit canned him.

But, you could have played that to your advantage and gotten the counseling at some sort of sliding rate or even free. Play it when you need to!

Instead, we went home, burned a big fat one, and talked into the wee hours hashing out our feelings.
We're still happily married twelve years later. I don't presume to say that pot was our therapy, it was just a prop that enabled us to sit down and unreservedly talk things out in a calm caring manner.

Good to hear you sorted it out!

It all comes down to personality I guess. If you have the type of personality that leads you to use drugs or alcohol to excess, it doesn't much matter what the drug is. You will abuse it.

Indeed. And genetics.

We all know what kind of personality it's called, don't we kiddies?

Obsessive/ compulsive behavior. I got it!


This is why I cannot tear myself away from posting open sign ups. They say I need help. I don't see the problem. It keeps me from practicing other, unhealthy behaviors.

meh...like homicide and other mayhem...

They say I'm in denial and we all know what that is too! <all together now> "A river in Egypt!"

Seriously though, to each his or her own.

[Excrement_Cranium]

For starters, my replies are to ideas and not people. These little things we have here, they are called opinions. They are ideas based off of our beliefs and interpretations. Know that if I go round with somebody, it isn't because I have some vendetta towards that person, but much like any argument/discussion, I have something to interject for or against that idea.

So for anyone that wants to get all butthurt because I attack your beliefs or lifestyle, get over it. You may find that on another subject, I may back you wholly. These are but tiny pieces of a tiny person and/or personality.

Other people are my props for social interaction. Otherwise, I wouldn't waste so much time here at ZP chatting and arguing with people, which thus, makes it not wasted time in my opinion.

When I drink to get drunk, or zomg toke(once in the past 10 years), I do so for no other reason than to become intoxicated because it feels good. It does not enhance anything around me, I believe what goes on around me enhances the high.

And shit luck on getting a stuck with a substance abuse oriented counselor. The fun thing there, is that a lot of them are former substance abuse addicts themselves, and have been through wonderful 12-step programs where the only answer to addiction is demonizing the substance. The only thing that's worse is a reborn recovering substance abuse addict. Instead of passing the joint, they try their best to pass the Jesus. Man, I just got a $20 sack of Jesus, YOU GOTTA TRY THIS SHIT, MAN!

As party of my ass-holey nature, I don't really dig counselors, etc. I prefer more passive mediation: "Hey, you're being an asshole, shut up for a second and let her talk!" For some reason, we get into this victory-at-all-costs mode in discussion, and ignore meaning in responses, ignore validity, because our opposition has to be completely wrong, even if we aren't right.

And maybe, Carpe, in your case and where you live smokers have a fair shake. Where I live if you make the decision to toke, your job choices are severely limited, and the chance of opening your own business are slim-to-none in our agricultural-based market.

For instance, my father-in-law makes good money as a mason. However, he's over 50 now, and he works for a private contractor that offers no benefits. After 30+ years working in construction-based jobs, his body is beginning to wear, and he has little to no retirement to look forward to. He is skilled and experienced enough to have taken a job with a large contractor for better pay and benefits, but because he values getting high over long-term payoffs, he could not pass a UA to get hired. Additionally, most employers that drug-test, now also do oral swabs following any at-work accident. So even if he were to clean up enough for a pre-hire UA, he'd be at risk for termination following any accident on the job, which occur often enough to be a discouraging factor.

But, then again, he could prioritize his lifestyle choice, and move away from his family to a more toke-friendly job market. He would be once again prioritizing something rather small over something beneficial. If his family were dicks, it would be win-win. Though, it would have been win-win for him to have some sort of future, other than social security, to look forward to when he's 70.


So hey, grats on your being successful and being a toker, but realize you are the exception, not the rule. Success is something that eludes straight-edge people who don't chose to limit their options with substance use, so what kind of chance do you give yourself when you do limit your options?

[HelenaP]

...The only thing that's worse is a reborn recovering substance abuse addict. ...

That makes two of us...

[drtoker]

EC,
Anyone who puts getting high before life, gets whats commin. I get high, on a regular basis. This has NEVER affected me getting a job. How hard is it to quit for a few days?
As for on the job UA's for accidents, you would loose your job if you ate a poppy seed muffin that same day too, and thats legal. Myth busters proved that myth true BTW.
Not to mention the whole realm of prescription drugs that could leave you jobless as well, even if taken under a doctors advisement. And how about that late night drinking binge? You go into work early, get a blood test, and bam, fired for drinking on the job.

Bottom line is, toking is no worse then many things people do in terms of how it limits their life. It only limits life if you let it. And if your letting it (anything here, not just weed) limit your life, your and ADDICT, and you need to seek help. Please stop with the double standards (this is not directed specifically at you EC...), most things in life are bad for you in one way or another, and most things taken in excess are going to affect you in a negative way, legal or not.

[wapazoid]

I take a few hits every once in a long while. As long as the quality is top notch and I haven't a damn thing to do or a place to be, I have a pretty good time. Playing computer games high has always been fun.

[HelenaP]

I guess all the weed smokers are taking a nap...

[RACKnRAIL]

What do you mean? The yes votes have slowly climbed up to 40/60.

[HelenaP]

What do you mean? The yes votes have slowly climbed up to 40/60.

Trolling. I was bored.

[ROMANTICGUY50]

Wonderfully said. I couldn't agree more.
Being someone who has probably tried just about everything at one point. I have come to the point in my life that if life cant entertain me and highten my mood then I just dont need to be living. Trust me I have those days too. I have come to the conclusion that when I am down that all I have to do is read newspaper or watch the news or listen to talk radio to see that my life isnt that bad after all. When you think your life sucks just watch Jerry Springer. and get up lifted.
I take 19 pills a day just so I can live. Why on earth would I want to take something that is going to destroy all that I have.
Well said. Bless you. PEACE-Tim

[sister_sue48]

Don't toke never will lost to much because husband did. I like the high I am always in anyway lol:icon_thum:drunken_s

[moneoa]

I love you guys.....of course i'm stoned out of my tree

[Excrement_Cranium]

EC,
Anyone who puts getting high before life, gets whats commin. I get high, on a regular basis. This has NEVER affected me getting a job. How hard is it to quit for a few days?
As for on the job UA's for accidents, you would loose your job if you ate a poppy seed muffin that same day too, and thats legal. Myth busters proved that myth true BTW.
Not to mention the whole realm of prescription drugs that could leave you jobless as well, even if taken under a doctors advisement. And how about that late night drinking binge? You go into work early, get a blood test, and bam, fired for drinking on the job.

Bottom line is, toking is no worse then many things people do in terms of how it limits their life. It only limits life if you let it. And if your letting it (anything here, not just weed) limit your life, your and ADDICT, and you need to seek help. Please stop with the double standards (this is not directed specifically at you EC...), most things in life are bad for you in one way or another, and most things taken in excess are going to affect you in a negative way, legal or not.


I wouldn't have been offended were it directed at me. We all have double standards. Part of the problem is admitting them, and finding out if they are logical.