Well, folks I just have to add my humble, but strong (and experienced) opinion here before sharing this article.

Let’s talk pot. Marijuana. Mary Jane. Cannabis. Weed. Grass. Etc.

For once I wish people would just be HONEST. Though I do live with rosy glasses on my face (or so I’ve been told) but “I’m not the only one”.

I smoked pot for nearly 30 years. About 3 years ago I quit. It wasn’t that hard to quit. There were no withdrawal symptoms and all the not so fun stuff that goes with conquering an actual addiction. Then of course, I wasn’t addicted. At least not to the pot itself. I was addicted to the LIFESTYLE. The HABIT. NOT the substance. Very much enjoyed sitting down at the end of the day (preferably in the forest somewhere) and smoking a nice dubious.

So why did I quit? Because over time my reaction to it changed and it took away my ambition, drive and energy. Then I was just sitting around smokingsmokingsmoking. If it was there (and it always was) I was smoking it. So many things passed me by in a fog, my memory is hazy on some very important events. And I no longer went into the forest… Sad.

So why do I believe it should be legalized? Because not everyone reacts to it like I did after so many years. I still have Friends who react differently and don’t smoke it all the time. They’re happy hitting just once in a while. Others smoke all the time and still remember, still function. Just like any mind altering substance, everyone reacts differently. Most I know in my age group are just old hippies living a Peaceful life, harming none.

At one point I knew a woman who was severely bi-polar/manic. She went off the deep end and ended up in an institution for a short time. While there, it was clearly stated (by the medical staff!) that the fact she smoked pot is what kept her going for as long as she did before she ended up there….hmmmmm…

There there is the proven fact that pot helps medically. I know from experience that it DOES help with an upset stomach, instantly. Not to mention the Spiritual benefits. It does far more good than the government wants to admit…

I do not believe children should smoke it and do not believe it is right to drive after having ingested ANY mind altering substance. It should be “controlled”. Yeah, right. Just like they control alcohol and everything else available on the streets.

Interesting point here:Was ADDICTED to meth for several years of my life. I beat that and KNOW it’s addictive and KNOW it’s dangerous, even…”demonic”. That was easier to break away from than cigarettes and alcohol!!! So let me get this straight; a LEGAL substance is so addictive, it’s harder to break away from than one that is ILLEGAL.

One more observation. Amazingly, about a year after I quit pot, I was hired to work in a drug testing facility. Encountered all sorts from child molesters, rapist, murderers, drug addicts to bank robbers, gang members and people fresh out of prison. And of course, “potheads”. Was a very scary job at times…was physically threatened, there were attempts to break into my car as well as my car being keyed. Of all my experiences there, the “potheads” were the most respectful (even protective of our staff), they had jobs, paid taxes, etc. They were hurting no one. But they paid and paid and paid while others of more serious crimes came through our door for shorter periods of time then were released from probation and all that goes with that. Anyone have any suggestions as to WHY this would be?

Could it be that there is so much more money to be made fining “potheads” on probation? Perhaps there is less to be made from a legal substance?

I recently lost a lifelong Friend to a drunk driver who had 4 convictions (recent) and was out free on the streets to run down my Friend walking along, drinking his morning coffee in the sunshine after having left a coffee shop full of folks laughing from one of his famous jokes (a Peace Loving Soul who contributed to society in many, many ways and is desperately missed…by many). Meanwhile, a person convicted of having less than a half ounce of marijuana in his HOME went to PRISON on his first conviction (no priors of any sort). He was caught because of a spite filled woman and paid dearly. Something is very very wrong here…

I guess the point is that we may all be one and we can help one another through many a trial including addiction, but ultimately it is up to us to learn self control. Realize what harms us and STOP it. It is NOT up to the government to attempt to control our personal choices. It’s their job to protect us from the ones who make bad choices…

Peace, Love & Light to you ALL
~LightScribe

For the article that sparked this little speech:

http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/144243/the_feds_are_addicted_to_pot_–_even_if_you_aren%27t?page=entire

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