My feelings on Marijuana

I don't like weed. I don't like drugs in general. Not heroin, not cocaine, not LSD, not MDMA, and definitely not weed.
People act so casual about it, but it is still an illegal drug. The people that use it are always coming up with reasons that is fine, and that the illegality of can be bypassed because "the governments don't gain any money from it and so it is illegal,"
but they never stop and think about what they are doing to themselves.

I've watched enough people choose to smoke weed and seen as their memory deteriorates. As every experience becomes about only them.
As they've become schizophrenic and dangerous. As it has broken homes. The experience of the drug becomes more important than the experience of love, or family, or friendship. I've heard people talk about smoking it because it relaxes them, and I've watched as they've "relaxed" into a state of no longer caring about their lives in the real world, nor the people they hurt, nor the memories they've lost.
But even with that being said, I know that it is not heard, it is ignored. Nobody cares about what they are destroying and giving up for the experience.
It applies for all drugs. But the danger applies also with weed, which is viewed so casually that smokers dont stop to think. The damage can be done over a much longer period of time. But the damage is done nonetheless.

If thinking close to home about the effects of drugs doesnt work, how about thinking of the effects that drug abuse has further afield?
I read something somebody posted anonymously online that was along the lines of the following:
"I hate how casually first world people smoke weed and snort coke and don't think about where it came from. I hate that impoverished people in the inner city don't have options to make a better life for themselves so they sell drugs. I hate that Colombia is undergoing a bloody civil war that first world people don't give two shits about. HELLO PEOPLE! Someone died so your stupid college/gentrified/middle class ass could get high. Someone is in jail because they sold you drugs that you use recreationally. I hate that people don't think of the consequences of drug abuse that affect millions of poor people in this world.
I wish you could grow your own drugs in your backyard so that no one other than your selfish ass would get hurt doing drugs."

The point being that it isn't only damaging to ourselves and our relationships with those close to us. But think of the young kids that get killed because of drugs. Think of the families that are torn apart because of drug related death.

I feel so much that it is so hard to find genuine, kind, caring, people that listen and have enough will power to be themselves rather then follow the crowd into drugs because it is now "normal" to be drunk and high when your young. People say "Its a phase that every teen must go through". I disagree. I didn't need to go through that phase. And it's frustrating that it's so hard to find people that also don't feel the need to go through that "stage" in life. Some people get stuck at that "stage" in life and forever remain on a drug ridden path with an early death and missing out on the experiences that life in the real world has to offer.
I read this too and it hit home with me:
"It's ridiculous that our generation is so drunk and high all the time, that when I go to the doctor and they ask me if I smoke or drink, they are surprised when I say no. They're like, "You're a college student and you don't smoke or drink?" People think because I "Just Say No" I'm a prude, or a goodie-goodie. No. I'm just not an idiot".

Thirdly... think of all the money wasted on drugs. Think of the life-enriching experiences you could have if you saved your money to say, go travel. Or to visit family. Or to be able to live more comfortably. Or to be able to help those in need.
Think of the good or productive that you could be doing instead of being too high to do anything or care about anything.


I realise that this probably makes me sound completely close minded to a lot of people. But how many of you people that now judge me as close minded, are the ones taking drugs and assuming I am close minded because it is better to defend yourself then to see if you can open your own mind to another point of view. Open your own mind to reality.
I'm not ranting about how bad it is without the experience of it. I have experienced weed. I have taken it. And I'm glad that I can say that my point of view isn't one sided. I have an open mind. I was open to trying it. And I have made up my mind now after experiencing what it was like, and also seeing the affects it has had on my friends, family and the world around us.

If you are reading this, and you take drugs. Please don't blow it off as bad judgment, please don't just immediately become defensive because you want to take drugs.
Just think about your choice. Not just on the surface, but really think about why you are doing it, honestly. Think about how it honestly affects your life. Think about what you may have lost because of the drug you take. And how your life could change for the better without it. Think about the people you have pushed away doing it. Think about your family and friends.
There is always help.

As always, there is always a choice.