Marijuana is the topic of the millenium. For decades millions of people have prayed for its release from the tirade of prohibition. Protesters have protested, ralliers have rallied, and smokers have smoked, in hopes of proving that the laws need to be changed.
A lot of things have been said in the middle of this useless drug war, and things have been said from both sides, that are not regretted.
When it comes to making the choice to try marijuana yourself, you might not be so politcally concerned at the moment, but more concerned about health matters, or other issues that may crop up. There are plenty of things to think about, including the legality of it. It’s confusing, and this Factoid is here to help.
Please remember, that while this article may be marijuana-related, I am by no means saying you "should" try marijuana; and that I am not a doctor or medical professional. Just a patient who wishes to share. If you choose to use, you do so at your own risk.
Marijuana, by definition, is just a plant. It grows from the ground similarly to tomato plants, and is in truth, really just a weed like any other. It can grow abundantly, just about anywhere. The part that people really love, is not the flowers, or the pretty green leaves, but the cultivated and prepared buds that grow beautifullly from the branches of the plant.
Inside that succulent portion of the plant, is a chemical called THC. Tetrahydracannibanol (THC), is considered to be the main chemical that creates the "high", as well as relieving numerous disease symptoms that may stem from Cancer, AIDS, Diabetes, Glacoma or Spastic Disorders such as IBS or Crones’.
It is the THC that is considered to be the true evil substance; it does put a person "under the influence". It is the main reason for such propaganda such as "Refer Madness" and other groups who tried to denounce smoking or using marijuana as causing a person to go crazy. Labeling it as bad as cocaine or heroin, and as life-ruining as any other hard drug out there.
In truth, the facts have proven time and again that marijuana is less harmful than cigarettes, and even less so when vaporized instead of smoked. Even the effects of the smoke are very little, since most users do not continually puff all day like a chimney, as many cigarette smokers do.
Marijuana has another health benefit as well, as an appetite stimulant it’s great for many who might be picky eaters, have anorexia, or stomach/digestive problems–or are queasy from chemotherapy.
It can also help greatly with migraines, and the aches and pains of pregnancy. Yet, even with all the benefits, it can be hard to weigh out whether it is right for you or not. Ask youself these questions, to see if this is the right option for you.
1. Will I be a patient or a recreational user?
This is a question that is very important, yet many otherwise smart individuals don’t even think about it. In many states now, it is somewhat legalized that a "medical-marijuana" patient is granted leway for using their medicine. Marijuana is not an illegal drug to these patients, and it a medication that is as beneficial as any other. To a recreational smoker, it might have a de-stressing purpose, or it might just be for occasional social use. It could also be used to free you from yourself, and to motivate you towards positive goals.
Either option works, but it’s important that you make your own choice. A patient should pursue a doctor who can get them a license and the supplies they need. A recreational user can encounter some trouble should they become reckless about their usage. Marijuana is still very much illegal, and even if your use is harmless, there is always the chance you could be arrested, prosecuted, or drug-tested, for example, at work. Saying you are "just a recreational user" will not win any favors in court.
2. How Old Are You?
While many adults today may have tried pot when they were adolecents, it is very widely viewed that pot smoking should be handled like alcohol, where a legal user should be at least over18, but more probably over 21.
This isn’t because teenagers don’t deserve a break, or because it will kill or mame you for the rest of your life. Unlike cigarettes, marijuana doesn’t stunt your growth, contrary to the popular beliefs of some. Yet, there is a certain reserve of life experience, that many adolencents need to learn, before using additives. Your parents can talk your ear off about drugs and marijuana, and the schools and TV can force info down your throats, but you will make the decision that is right for you. (This is why you need to be a bit older; younger people may not make the right decision, and pay some hard consequences.)
Marijuana can cause short term memory loss, and easy distractability, which can make it hard to remember what your teacher was droning on about. Particularly with teenagers and young adults, it also has the tendency to seem more attractive to get high than to go out and live life, or take care of responsibilites, and it’s much better to be careful. You’ll have plenty of adult life, with a more mature perspective, to enjoy your herb.
Remember that marijauna has no place in school, and that it’s best to wait until your homework and responsibilites are taken care of before you use. That way you don’t get into a habit of letting the high take over your life. Once you make it to the freedom of adulthood, you can make the choice to bake on the couch all day or not. For now, I suggest you make it through your education before seriously considering using too often.
3. Will It Affect Your Job?
In Japan, workplace toliets can automatically test your urine for drugs or additives, without your consent. Can you imagine that? You won’t be notified unless they find something, and then you’re gone. We are lucky they have not sold over here yet. Don’t underestimate it though, many companies would love to catch you with your pants down, so to speak, and they will test you at random.
Think about your work situation. Do you work for an important corporation that tests every other week? Or could your manager care less as long as they don’t know anything about it?
If you are drug-tested regularly, it really wouldn’t be a good idea to use marijuana, if you want to keep your job. (And in this economy, you DO want to keep your job.) If you are not tested, most responsible users keep their use at home and private, and if you do the same, there are less likely to be any issues. Just don’t become a sneak-a-toke driver, as you can and will get arrested for DUI that way, and it looks tacky at your work as well. The last thing we need to do is add to the bad stereotypes.
It’s also important to ask yourself, "What would happen if my boss found out I smoke?" You could get reported, you could get fired, and they might report you to the authorities. Even if you never bring it to work, they could still do it, and you might not even know that it happened. It’s great to be friendly and want to meet other like-minded individuals, but you don’t necessarily have to tell the world about your love for ganja.
It’s your choice, but just make sure you only talk about it when you are fully aware of who you are talking to, and the consequences of them knowing, or of someone overhearing you.
THC can last in your system a while, and if you do choose to use, make sure you are aware of that. A hit or two once every two or three weeks will most likely be clear of your system in 5 to 7 days, but use everyday at any amount will take from 30 to 90 days to clear your urine, and up to 1 year to truly clear your system entirely. Drug tests are generally for urine; however, some companies now use saliva which can reach farther back. Be aware of any impending drug tests and be responsible if you would like to get the job.
4. How Will Your Family Feel?
Many patients and users get by in life without ever having to let their family know; or possibly some members of their families smoke already. But you should think about that. How would your mother or father feel if they found out you tried some? Or that you medicate occassionally?
My own father couldn’t care less. He grew up in a time when it was okay to smoke, and considered it no more harmful than cigarettes. My mother hates it, and feels that without it I could do more, but she does understand that it is helpful for my medical needs, and she accepts it.
How would your parents feel? Do they know the truth about marijuana, or do they follow a different creed?
Whether they agree or not, the choice is still up to you, but it is important to think about it. If you choose to smoke on a regular basis, I believe it is responsible to let your family and your doctor know. If you only take a toke once every 3 or 4 months or less, you are probably not going to surprise anyone.
Remember that some family members might get upset, but that it doesn’t make you a bad person. It is your decision, not theirs. Love them anyway.
5. Do You Have Kids?
This is an issue that scares many away from pot smoking. If you have children, it is hard to imagine being arrested for being a user, who is responsible for children. Even though many "pot parents" are much more caring and attentive because of their use, they are still persecuted for being "irresponsible" or "negligent".
If you have kids, you really need to consider the consequences. It is rare that anything will happen, if you keep your habits confined to a safe and private place where none of the children are. It is also wise to discuss your usage with your older children; why you use, and the facts about marijuana. Make sure they understand that is an adult habit, and although you don’t condone their use, you are available to them to answer questions if they have them. Make sure they know that you could very well be arrested if anyone knew, and that it is their choice to tell someone or not.
6. Would You Be Willing to Go To Jail?
It would probably be less than a day, if anything at all, but it happens everyday. Otherwise "civilized" people get arrested everyday for something as simple as looking suspicious of smoking, or having paraphernialia on them. It is sad, but true. It is also something you need to be aware of. No matter how safe you feel you are, it can happen. So be careful, and make sure you truly understand that by taking a stand against the prohibition, and making your own choice, you could be persecuted–and prosecuted–for it as many others have been.
Once again, should you choose to use, make sure to keep it private and within moderation. Your own home is best, away from windows and behind closed doors. No matter how fun it seems, a smoke in the park isn’t a good idea. What till it’s legal, then smoke where you please.
7. How Will Smoking Change You?
Many first-timers wonder what pot will do to them. Not just from the high, but from the aspect of not being pot-pure. It is vital to understand that smoking will not drastically change your life, but it might change your point of view, as well as others’ points of view about you. Just as many other controversial choices in life might do.
Some might label you as a stereotypical stoner, others might look down on you. There are plenty who will agree with you and be new great friends, and their are lots of political organizations that will fight for you, if you fight for them.
Will you be a closet smoker and not tell anyone? Will you tell everyone and not care? Think about it.
8. Are You Ready?
The first time high from Marijuana is different for every individual. Some might find themselves overly paranoid about getting into trouble, or something a little more nonsensical yet still nerve racking, while others will just enjoy a smooth calm takeover, leaving them in a blissful state. Some will laugh at a spot on the wall for an hour, and others will pass out for half a day. It has been said that some can’t handle it and throw up from coughing too hard, or because it doesn’t agree with them. There is no set version of rules that says that a high will be the same for you as it is for others.
Some people might decide they like smoking, and take up a regular recreational use, while others will decide it’s not right for them. There is no set rule there either. Pot will not make you a slave to the leaf, it is non-addictive physically and only mentally addictive to those who convince themselves of it. Marijuana will not make you crave it as soon as you try it, although if you like it, you might want to puff-puff-pass again.
It’s an experimental time in a person’s life when they decide to look into the possibilies of marijuana, and it is very much a personal choice.
More than 40% of the US population uses, and more than 60% have at least tried marijauna at least once in their lives. That’s got to say something about it.
9. Where Is Your Herb Coming From?
Among many issues in the world of marijuana, it has been found that some growers or sellers will add some not-so-nice things to their greens. Angel Dust (pcp), baking soda, talcum power, estacy, and other strange and completely illogical chemicals get added. This is why it is important to know where your weed came from.
As a rule, if I wouldn’t trust the person offering it to me with my wallet, I wouldn’t trust them with their herb, either. It is too easy to get caught off guard and without knowledge of it. This is a common problem with teenagers and adolescents choosing to use: they don’t stop to think of the dangers of laced marijuana, or don’t believe it will really happen to them.
Make sure you trust the person you are being offered from, and if you can, try to know your grower. It is much safer–but, as with sex, the only truly safe way is abstinence. BE CAREFUL.
10. How Will it Affect your Recreational Life?
If you are a serious athlete, or even just a recreational gamer, it might make you wonder how marjuana might effect your recreational life.
When it comes to using outside of your game time, you are probably fine. Taking a few hits before a jog down the street won’t hurt you, but you might run a little slower and go a little longer than you meant to. Neither are horribile side effects, but do take it into account if you have certain goals to reach.
Marijuana is much better used as a nighttime therapy, for calming aching muscles with its anti-inflammatory properties, or for de-stressing if it’s been a bad day or game.
There is flat-out no use for marijuana when it comes down to serious play though. Not only is it tacky, but there is no coach that I know of, who will allow it.
You’ll also want to be careful, as any drug is considered unacceptable when playing a serious or career sport, and if they drug-test you, you will be out, even if you don’t use before or during a game. It’s just part of the territory and you need to understand that about your use.
Also, if you are a person who requires high physical endurance, smoking is the least healthy way for you to use it. It would be much more healthy to get a vaporizor, or to make up some Canna-butter and cook with it instead. Both ways are easy and there are plenty of internet articles available for you to utilize.
Please remember that marijauna is still illegal in most states, and I am by no means suggesting anyone should use it. I am only passing on words of experience, education and truth. You choose to use at your own risk.
