I just can't win. No one seems to respect a straight-edged guy like me. Damn near all my friends are into smoking dope and I feel like I'm being peer-pressured into following suit. I've been trying to stay drug free, but I've been told that many great things have been created through people's use of certain drugs. Look at The Beatles.

I don't know. Maybe what I'm saying is stupid. But I feel like all my friends and even some relatives are into de ganja and maybe I should see what the big deal is about.

But at the same time I wanna remain straight-edged because that's the Buddhist way to be. But many people find me boring since I am strictly straight-edged.

You sound boring...

the hell with em.....drugs really don't make a person. It's sad if they have to rely on drugs for a personality. But you know an occasional blunt wouldn't hurt

AnckSuNamun said:

See, that's what I mean. Why should I abuse my body at all? OK, so maby the "mary jane" won't kill me, but it will still have some negative side effects.

NWF said:

Believe it or not, I completely understand that. I never found anything wrong with drugs per se, I just had no desire 2 do them, unlike most every1 else around me. When curiosity finally got the best of me, I found I wasn't missing much. Weed is highly overrated.

NWF said:

I respect the straight-edge bit.

I was pretty much right there with ya until I was about 24. I just never felt like intoxication was a good idea. As I got a little older, I came to trust myself to be responsible, and to see the world more in shades of gray. I now try to make informed decisions, and make sure I'm in control of my behavior. I do think there's something to be said for experiencing altered states of consciousness.

But drugs aren't the only way to do that.

NWF said:

oh I was just teasin' about the blunt.

i'm sorry, what? i wasn't paying attention.

npgmaverick said:

Um...only if you're smoking shitty weed.

i feel ya hun i have felt/do feel the same way... hold srong, and stay clean

Now, if you're going to start doing drugs, be a pillhead, right? So much more classy than smoking.

Apropos: http://www.prince.org/msg/100/180228

Stay with the edge, I respect that highly

Xagain said:

I say try it. Chances are if you are as strong willed to your beliefs as you think, you'll say it's no big deal and never do it again. But you will have the satisfaction of being able to say, yeah, I tried it and didn't see the point.

jerseykrs said:

What about the satisfaction of being able to say "No I've never tried it cos I don't want to abuse my body" ? That's better IMO, like me never having tried a cigarrette even... I never felt like it so I didn't, plus all my grandparents died of lung cancer. I don't need doctors or surveys and reports telling me the shit's nasty.

Teacher said:

I agree with that also. I'm just saying, I know I always felt like I wanted to see for myself, and then make my decisions.

Mary...you wanna?

NWF said:

Weed isn't bad, it is better then drinking. It does make you more able to create. Everything comes with positives and negitives. It is what best fits into your lifestyle that you should focus on.

I have smoked weed.
No I don't smoke weed.
I would smoke weed again, but not like I use to smoke it.

You're not missing much. If anything, be thankful you don't have a reputation of being a druggie. Once you get tagged with that, you can never shake it, even long after you quit.

Xagain said:

true dat!

Tom said:

That's bull.

People's perception of others had very little to do with things based in reality. People are biased to believe bad about others if it suits their needs.

NWF said:

Stay straight laced! It's part of you and who you are.

In the city I live it pretty hard to stay away from those that smoke pot (I'm in SF) or not know someone who doesn't smoke. Here it's such a NON deal, it's almost viewed as drinking wine.

Thing is you need to decide if your friends smoking weed is really that bother some to you. If so, find a new set of friends that don't smoke. You're not "missing" out on anything. Drugs can be enjoyable for a variety of reasons..but "missing out" on the experience I question. Maybe you need to look at how you view drugs and usage.

Cigarettes and ALcohol are drugs. Caffiene too. Asprin. Pain Releavers, Aderol, Xanax, Birth COntrol, Nyquil. ETC. No they are all not the same. And weed is not cocaine or heroin or crack. Not even close. Though, it's criminalized just the same to a lesser degree. Weed is BAD or so media and Nancy Regan say. Now if there were Pot companies and it was legal, trust me, we'd be seeing advertisement of how cool it is. ANd it'd be lobbied for in COngress.

do what you believe in. do you really give a shit what your so-called "friends" think anyway?? if they were really your friends they wouldn't pressure you at all. just be yourself.

MickG said:

I've had problems with coworkers running to management making up outright lies, that I was ordering drugs over the payphone at work. It nearly cost me my job, and I could tell they didn't 100% believe me simply because they knew I did drugs in the past.

It really depends on who you're around, but some people just don't trust you one bit if they hear you've done drugs. They get all bent out of shape and start jumping to conclusions about you.

Tom said:

:checking your profile:

Yeah, see, I do think there is a geographical influence, as far as the social impact. I think there are places, like San Fran or Seattle, where drug use just doesn't carry much stigma, as long as it's under control. And I think there are places, like the rural midwest, where if you so much as smoke a little weed, you're a presumed lowlife.

Tom said:

Yes, but unfortunally, if it wasn't "drugs" in that case it would be something else. Back Stabbing People exist.

SeattleInvasion said:

Actually, I come from the Northeast. I live out here now, but all of the northeast is a police state. However that's one thing too many people overlook in life, there is much freedom and you are alowed to MOVE. If a person stays in a place where they are forced to deal with closed minded people, maybe that one likes dealing with closed minded people.

I tried first drugs on 29, I'm 31 and tasted all, stopped all except mary jane sometimes. And I prefer smoking alone or with my best friend.

Drugs are personnal, good and dangerous.

dude. stay straight-edge.

Man, you've gotta do you. Now personally, I dont see anything wrong w/ a little herbal delight every now and then, but if its not in your nature to smoke dont force yourself. Back in my punk days my Dad used to tell me that I was "conforming to the non conformist". Still conformity. If you do decide to take a pull make sure you're doing something creative ( musical, artistic...whatever) it'll make your experience more fruitful. At least thats my experience, but thats just me.