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Pot is Medicinal and Becoming Legal; But What's Really Wrong with Kids Smoking Marijuana?

Updated on July 23, 2019
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A curious & natural writer, communicator & referee, Catherine is adept at simplifying & explaining some puzzling life conundrums.

"There are many people who are afraid of Marijuana and the legalization of it - mostly because of the myths surrounding it. But, let's be FAIR - it is ALSO because..."

Bongs for Sale at Seattle's Hempfest, 2013.
Bongs for Sale at Seattle's Hempfest, 2013.

Kids and Marijuana

Do You Know if Your Children Smoke Pot?

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Growing Acceptance of Pot

Colorado and Washington State have lead the US push into the sale of Marijuana for recreational purposes; and many states already have medical laws in place surrounding it. While it's still early, things are looking good in both Colorado & Washington as far as both increased revenue and lower crime rates go.

There are so many good uses for Cannabis that can be taken advantage of by the Human Race. It can feed us, clothe us, and we can make things like rope out of it. But getting high is one of the most cherished - and equally, worrisome - things about this multi-purpose plant.

One of the most responsible websites to obtain good information about Cannabis is 'Moms for Marijuana' - they have Chapters all over the United States and the World. I heard one of these ladies talk about their organization at Hempfest in Seattle, August 2013 - along with another speaker from 'Women for Weed'.

Both organizations have been fighting for the legalization of Marijuana for years for many reasons - things like the way it creates 'criminals' of people who are not criminals when they get caught with it; the way it creates a profitable market for people who are criminals; and how our society is missing out on so many of the domestic and medical benefit of Cannibis, in general.

They were telling the crowd in the bandstand about how some of the WOMEN decades ago UNITED to help end prohibition on alcohol (even though they also helped start it, ha!). It was very interesting. Supposedly, these ladies have been on a few of Hollywood's talk shows, even.

Seattle Hempfest 2013.
Seattle Hempfest 2013.

Hempfest is a big festival in Seattle every year. The 'different' thing about it last year - was that it was the first year for it to be LEGAL to possess pot at Hempfest due to recent changes in our Cannabis Laws.

Attendees were still not supposed to be smoking pot in public, but this is Hempfest... People sat in groups on the lawn - passing around a new pipe; trying out a new strain of weed (there were tables laid out with several different varieties); or some other new pot accessory just purchased at the festival - right out in the open!

Normally - you would walk around Hempfest (when it was illegal) and you could certainly smell it; but people were attempting to be secretive about it. That, and Seattle Police often gave people a break that day and (for the most part) looked the other way.

In honor of the new law being passed, the Seattle Police Department even got a sense of humor, and actually handed out Doritos instead of citations.

It was a really really good day. This is a taste of what freedom feels like. YUM!

Seattle Hempfest 2013.
Seattle Hempfest 2013.

What are Kids Learning from Us About Marijuana?

The education of Cannibis & Hemp is spreading fast and reform is within reach... But, what kind of impression are we leaving on our kids?

All this 'Marijuana is for Medicine' marketing seems a little over-the-top to me - because I think it gives everyone, especially kids - the impression that pot is a perfectly harmless thing.

While there are fortunately many medical uses for Marijuana, as well as all kinds of other ways to utilize this incredible plant we know as Cannabis - keeping things in perspective is also, unfortunately, a necessity no matter what your age is.

There are many people who are afraid of Marijuana and the legalization of it - mostly because of the myths surrounding it.

But, let's be FAIR - it's ALSO because:

1) People have witnessed friends or loved-ones turn into 'stoners' for extended periods of time; and watched them become wasted, burdensome losers on society. (You may know some of these people.)

2) People have also witnessed friends or loved ones who have STARTED with the more mellow puffs of pot; and then move onto other more harmful substances like Meth, Ecstasy, Heroin, Cocaine or whatever.

The BEST WAY to never get hooked on these more harmful substances is to NEVER TRY THEM in the first place. They are far easier to resist if you don't try them - and really, if you've got weed, you don't need them.

3) There are some legitimate concerns - and there ALWAYS HAS BEEN - on how pot effects a developing, adolescent brain.

View of a natural high - Seattle Hempfest, 2013.
View of a natural high - Seattle Hempfest, 2013.

Adolescent Brains are Still Developing Until they Reach Adulthood

Basically, tweens and teenagers should try not to use or rely too much on pot for the same reasons they shouldn't smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or do any other hard, non-prescribed drugs: how the Teenage Brain is STILL DEVELOPING.

This is not something in question - it's a FACT.

I am not talking about having a few puffs with your friends occasionally; and I know some of you out there have medical reasons for using marijuana. But as an almost every day habit for 'no reason' - its too early; and it MIGHT also make it more likely for you to turn into couch-potato 'stoner' at this age. Just sayin'. ;)

On top of that - adolescent hormones are already coursing through young bodies in wild ways. These already unrealistically affect feelings & emotions on a moment by moment basis. Dealing with that craziness is all part of growing up - or at least, it should be.

Tweens and Teenagers have got so many NATURAL HIGHS (and lows) going on inside of them at any given moment - and it will pass far too soon. (Don't some of us wish we had them back.)

Enjoy them, appreciate them and cuss them out, even...

But, if you glide through those years in a fog, you won't learn nearly as much about yourself or the world around you as you might, otherwise.

AND, you might be hindering the development of one of the most important things you'll need to survive in this life - your brain.

Seattle Hempfest 2013
Seattle Hempfest 2013

Weed Can Become Both A Physical & Psychological Addiction for Anyone

As with anything, you can get 'too hooked' on Marijuana - if for no other reason, than it 'can become' a psychological addiction that can also turn into a physical addiction if its used too much for too long - just like any other alcohol/drug/food/sex addiction that can put a kink in your life and is hard to break.

So please... younger, aspiring pot heads... Wait until you're older to indulge in pot smoking as a lifestyle choice. Maybe make it an occasional treat, if you must.

But, try to let your brain finish developing before you utilize weed as a regular escape. Give your body and your mind time to grow into whatever you're supposed to become before you start acting like grown-ups.

Then, you can forget the about going for a clever, bumper-stickered van, like above; and hold out for something more like the uber-groovy Further Bus, below.

Smoke Smart!

The Further Bus; Seattle Hempfest 2013
The Further Bus; Seattle Hempfest 2013
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