I was thinking about the legalization of marijuana. N.J. legalized it about 2 years ago. I had it in my head

[3Hotdogs]

that I would be hitting the shop and getting a buzz at least every weekend. Maybe get the guys together to pass around a couple'a joints.

The problem - it just doesn't seem the same. Part of the fun of rolling a joint, passing it around - was that you were part of a tribe that was sharing something that had some adventure to it.

Now, most of that fun Is gone.

The morning that marijuana became legal, our town opened a shop. The line to get in was down the block.Two days later, no line and very few people are seen going in. Then I read that two shops in Jersey City went out of business on Feb. 1st. There are two stores on Rt. 22 that I drive by a couple of times a week. There is never more than one car in the parking lot. That car probably belongs to the clerk.

Legal marijuana killed the fun of it.

[Figarosmom]

1. Yeah way back when there were studies about that

That it's ceremonial in the cleaning, rolling and sharing.

I guess that is true. I still use on my own, though and find it pleasant anyway.

[Intractable]

2. The advent of the cannabis dispensary has greatly improved my life.

In my southern Florida neighborhood, there are three dispensaries competing for my business within a mile from me.

There's deals and sales to be had, and plenty of customers to receive them.

[Morbius]

3. I smoked the wacky tobaccy for years.

I stopped 14 years ago - actually 14.5 years (stopped in June 2011). They've legalized it now but I am too old; I have no interest in resuming my old habits. I used to say, "It takes the edge off." Now I find I kind of like the edge. Also, I'm a little afraid that if I start again I may not want to stop; quitting last time was a bit of a bummer.

[multigraincracker]

4. Legalization took all the fun out it.

I no longer do it and feel fine about it. No problem with those that do. Still find it interesting, just not as much fun.

[GReedDiamond]

5. It wasn't so fun for me, when I was 18, and beaten on the back of my head...

...pistol whipped actually, then after being beaten to the ground, my head bashed against the curb.

And, after the hospital stay, my subsequent arrest was not only for felony possession of weed (one whole ounce), but for 5 other fabricated felony charges about how I deserved the beatdown I got.

Thanks to my favorite aunt (RIP Aunt Marie), I got off from everything except for a $500 fine, all other charges dismissed.

Long story short.

Good times.

So I appreciate the legal dispensary/delivery system available to me now.

[Bohunk68]

6. See my post on the one about the Moody Blues.

At 82, I still use because of the hips. Takes care of any pain. Growing my own helps with cost. Free. It also gives an opportunity to share with those who can't grow their own. 6 plants is a good yield. And if you get them in early enough, a small tree. My neighbor has a pic of a friend of his with his 10' tall bush with a Sheriff standing next to it. No ticket.

[3Hotdogs]

7. Also thinking to my cousin Jim. know marij isn't supposed to be addictive but he was addicted. Daily

smoking joints per day. Marijuana does not have nicotine but is has a higher tar content than cigs. He ended up with his lungs so clogged that he couldn't walk across his living room floor.

Heh. At the end, he said he wouldn't change a thing in the way he lived.

[lark]

8. I hvae your friends' problem, but am seeking a different solution.

After nearly 30 years of daily smoking, I am definitely addicted PLUS I was coughing a lot. Had a chest xray that showed probable emphesema. This is bad because too many people on both sides of my family have died from lung issues. My sister and I had to make the decision to pull the plug on mom's vent and it was the worst day of my life - don't want my family to go through that with me. I use marijuana for 2 conditions, went to dr about what to do for those and he suggested continuing mj but use non-smoking routes. Been trying thst nd it's rough, haven't figured out the magical system yet, grrr. Trying different things in different combos, but nothing is working great so far.

Still it's been 5 weeks of no smoking and no throwing up, so glad of that. I am having diahrhea and dizziness/weakness and my appetite is down and my sleeping isn't as good so obviously haven't hit the sweet spot. However my coughing is way way down, which is key!

Having the country go to shit isn't helping my headspace either!

[catbyte]

9. Legalizing it in Michigan took away my paranoia,lol.

You see, when I was growing up, my dad was a cop who worked nights in our town, so I was always looking over my shoulder. Even when I went to college 200 miles away I'd still plant myself on someone's couch as the joint was passed around and refuse to move until it kinda wore off. That paranoia was real and rooted deep in my psyche.

I can relax now.

[Nittersing]

10. I used it as a teen, but quit when I moved to Colorado

Mostly because I didn't know many people or who I could trust. Then I started dating a cop so I just didn't pursue it.

But when we legalized it, I was one of the first in line and I'm glad for the availability.

[SCantiGOP]

11. When Holland legalized it years ago

They was a measurable decrease in the number of people under 22 who were smoking. The study attributed it to the "forbidden fruit" syndrome.