Let's Talk About Weed

There was a series over on Yahoo that addressed "Weed & the American Family". There were stances for, and against. Naturally. And it covered a various group of people with different backgrounds. With more and more people pushing for legalization (some states have passed it) it's not surprising that a once taboo subject has been thrown into such a bright spotlight. So, it piqued my interest. Now before we get into this some of you may already know, and some may not, that I am "Pro-Legalization". I even did a short essay my first year of college that highlighted some of the reasons why I felt this way. Mind you I was 22, so don't judge me too harshly on it. I've always believed that marijuana should be legalized based on my own experience, and even with some of the negative stuff that's happened I still feel the same way. And here's why.

This may get long, just a heads up. 

For one, weed can be used as medicine. Now, a lot of people want to call bullshit on this, or say that people just want to get high so "illness" is their excuse. While that maybe the case for a select few out there it's not so for a huge group of others who are honestly looking for help. In previous years it was hard for medical research facilities to gain grants, or permits in order to study the effects of marijuana use. Since more states have legalized medical use, this has opened up doors that weren't available before. With more research being done we are able to gather more facts. Gain more proof about the benefits, and long term effects. There are different ways to consume it, and use as treatments that we didn't even realize before. And now you even have families moving across states in order to have access to medical marijuana for their children in order to treat the side effects of cancer treatments, severe seizures, and epilepsy.  That alone should be something we consider taking a closer look at. Do I think marijuana will cure cancer, or do away with diseases? No. I honesty doubt that marijuana is a cure for any of these, but as a parent I know that I would want every option available for my child if they were in need. And when you look at the chemicals found in marijuana compared to what's legally given to us by pharmaceutical companies that are supposed to do the same exact thing. Why wouldn't you go with the option that's less harmful? The option with less long term side effects? For me, that's not even a valid question. Marijuana takes the win every time. 

Second, weed can be used to make you feel good. Okay, let's be honest, those that smoke/consume weed recreationally do so because it gets them "high". For those that have never tried it, I can only compare it to having a steady buzzed feeling. You're relaxed, happy, and calm. Without the hangover the next day that you'd get from having one too many drinks. If you've ever been prescribed anxiety medicine it's similar to popping a clonazepam, or low dose xanex. Now, I don't smoke anymore. And I'll gladly pee in a cup, or give a blood sample to anyone who thinks I'm lying. But if we can all joke about needing a xanex before dealing with something, or how we've had a "three glasses of wine" kind of day then what's the real difference? Besides two being legal in all fifty states? It's still something people use to unwind, to calm, or even to mask the real issue. And yea, I'll say it. A majority of the shit we use to "feel good" is so that we can put what's really bothering us to the side for a moment. Denial maybe? Whatever our poison is, it's used when we just don't want to deal with something at that moment. I'll talk more on this in a bit. But do you know what I can say from experience that I found to be different? Out of those three things, weed never caused me to get so drunk that I started a fight or smacked someone with a frying pan. True story; I can be an angry drunk. Weed didn't cause me to blackout, or forget that I had already taken a pill so I ended up taking two and not remembering a damn thing from the previous day. The times that I did smoke I can tell you with 100% certainty that I was fully aware of everything. I may have been a bit lazier, giggly, and hungry. But I was aware. Now, it is worth noting that NOT everyone has the same experience, or high as I did. But the same can be said for legal medications.  So would I rather smoke and be conscience of what I'm doing? Yes. And the one thing I ask myself is out of those three things what would I rather find in my future teenager's room if she decided to experiment? Booze, pills, or weed. My honest answer, is weed. 

The main concern people have is addiction, and the supposed "gateway drug" label that weed has had stamped on it. Now these are valid concerns, and great points to bring up. I get that people have this fear of the unknown, because in all honesty there wasn't much out there in regards to the benefits of marijuana until recent years. But I'd like to address the "addiction" stance first. I'll start off by saying that I believe addiction is a disorder. Basically anything out there can become an addiction. Food, pornography, alcohol, cigarettes, working out, shoplifting, or even shopping just to name a few. Because it isn't the actual things that your doing/using to create that high, but rather the "why" that causes it to become an addiction. Whenever you have an issue there are healthy ways to resolve it, or unhealthy ways to mask them. And everyone has their thing. So yes, if you have an addictive personality, or tendency then you do run the risk of becoming dependent on it. But if it's not one thing it will be another. Everything comes down to you. As for the "gateway drug", well I can see both sides. I think the main reason why this is a risk is because marijuana is currently illegal in the majority of the states. Most of the time people who smoke weed go through a dealer. Oooh, scary sounding, I know. And after some time you'll start to realize that this person probably deals other stuff, or sometimes some of their customers might be into other things. You can easily branch out. Hence, the gateway aspect. BUT if you legalize it, and it becomes just as easily available as buying a pack of cigarettes then you cut out being exposed to much else. Cutting out the middle man does wonders, and would also bring in tax money. That is a whole other subject matter though, and I can talk about this stuff forever.

So, to wrap things up I feel that weed should definitely be legal. I think we stand to gain a lot from it medically, and recreationally. My opinion is based off of the research I've looked into, and my own personal experience with it. I did see one video recently of a mother who was using a vape pen to smoke her weed out of, and she was doing it in front of/around her small children. THAT I'm not okay with. I believe it should be something you use responsibly. You wouldn't give your six year old a beer or cigarette would you? I'd hope not anyway. Well, same rule applies to this stuff. Unless it's medically needed (which wouldn't be inhaled) for your young one I personally don't think there's a point in exposing them to it. I also don't feel that people should be high all of the time. Everything in moderation, folks. That's a whole other can of worms though. I'm definitely curious to see what others think. How many families out there have "secret weed users"? Do any of the moms use it rather than taking anxiety medication? Who's all pro or against, and what's the reason for it? If you've gotten this far drop me a line. And to all those pot smokers out there, Happy 420!



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