Four Twenty
It’s April 20th. If you smoke pot, know people who smoke pot or watch the 6 o’clock news, then you probably know what the date represents. It’s a yearly ganga get together, a day to celebrate the cannabis culture. Tokers gather together in protest of the prohibition of cannabis by proudly promoting and puffing in cities across Canada, the United States and the World.
I used to smoke pot myself once upon a time, and I’m quite sure if they had 4/20 celebrations when I was a teenager I would have been there. School? What school. This year April 20th happens to be a “pro d” day in Vancouver which means that kids don’t even have to skip school to attend because they already have the day off. Expect big crowds Vancouver! Imagine a free pass day to thumb your nose at authority and rule makers; a day to gather with your friends in an open public space and indulge in some delicious illegal behaviour without being arrested. What rebellious teen wouldn’t love that! I know I would have.
Vancouver’s unique 4/20 celebration at the Vancouver Art Gallery, one of the largest in the world, now boasts over 15,000 attendees, two live music stages, high-profile political speakers, and plays host to the world’s only outdoor cannabis farmers market.
Although I don’t touch the stuff anymore I am of the opinion that cannabis should be legal. I believe anytime a society enforces prohibition it only creates an underground culture and promotes crime. There is an estimated 250,000,000 people who imbibe. I’m surprised that governments haven’t jumped on that potential tax opportunity. I have to admit that in my younger years I put myself in some dangerous situations trying to buy the stuff. I remember one encounter with a particularly scary looking Hells Angel. I don’t mean to get all listen to your elders on you, but speaking from experience I think any substance we ingest should be monitored for purity and safety. No one should go blind after smoking pot, even if it is only for a couple of hours. Just sayin’.
So, happy weed day everyone. Enjoy yourselves but stay safe.
8 Comments
Jane
I agree with you Bonnie weed should be legal and then we wouldn’t be worried about the kids buying stuff laced with whatever they choose to put in it. So glad the show Weeds is coming back as we have missed it as one of the interesting shows. Personally I prefer a scotch, and wouldn’t want my grandchildren trying it at their young age. xo
Tracy Westerholm
Some drug dealers lace weed with addictive substances that can change your life after one toke. Unfortunately that’s what their intention is, hoping to keep the young unsuspecting youth coming back each week for more. They become addicted, don’t have the money to buy more and are forced to be dealers or thieves in leu of getting what they now need.
They give kids free weed knowing it is laced with meth, crack, or god knows what else. As a Mother of two kids, a teenager and preteen, I find that absolutely terrifying! I can only trust they have good judgment and a great circle of friends. Being active in sports I believe can help kids not go down that path, but even that is debatable. Knowing your kids friends is crucial. Communication is so important, kids need to know they can come to you for ANYTHING! They need guidance!
Legalizing it would eliminate some of the problems, no sure yet if I am for legalization or against it yet…I’d have to hear a great debate on it to come to a final decision of what I would vote.
I am honest with my kids for the most part in regard to drugs but also want to teach them abstinence is much safer way to travel for both drugs and sex. Ultimately they will be the one to make both those decisions!
As a kid you always think…if my Mom and Dad did it, it must be okay…right? Not always true. Every time you ingest a drug you take a personal risk which can change your life indefinitely!
Drugs are such a slippery slope, great example is the Ecstasy scare recently, common sense would tell you to not even go there, unfortunately most kids don’t have the insight to see what is going to happen by taking unnecessary chances. Kids are not the only ones taking these risks either.
My drug of choice is “Life”…
Kevin
Legalizing cannabis is a no brainer and every politician deep down, knows it. First, it would generate substancial tax revenue, second it would greatly reduce the crime associated with prohibition; and third, if regulated, it would help ensure that the level of purity was up to an acceptable standard. The fourth benefit, one we’re just starting to learn about, are the powerful benefits of cannabinoids. A key chemcial compound found in cannabis, it has been proven to suppress pain, reduce inflammation and control anxiety and nausea. Research also indicates these chemical compounds may help reduce the growth of cancer cells, particularly in lung cancer.
Bonnie Johnson
Interesting point about the cannabinoids. I had not heard about that before. Thanks Kevin.
Tracy Westerholm
SOLD…I’m convinced! lol Where do I sign? I agree with you Kevin, great points.
A friend father had lung cancer and smoked medicinal BC Bud to eliminate his nausea and to also stimulate his appetite because he was unable to eat from his nausea, so I do believe it has it’s place in society. Moderation is key in everything!
Kevin
hmmm…. just curious what level of moderation would be appropriate? 😉
Tracy Westerholm
Moderation is a general guideline. 😉 Everyone is different and what’s moderate for me is perhaps light-weight for you…or vice versa ((((smile))))
I started to watch the Documentary Super High Me (I think that’s the name) which is a take off of Super Size Me. It’s about a guy who smokes weed all day long for a month to see the effects it has on his body. The show starts out with him making a visit to a Weed-Man to help select what kind of weed he wants. There were all sorts to choose from with different levels of potency depending on whether he was a “newbie” or “pro” dope smoker. So in this case moderation is perhaps unknown until a knowledgable weed-pro is consulted who can help with a suitable selection.
I didn’t watch the entire Documentary because my daughter was with me and I didn’t know what the outcome of the show was going to be…I assumed it would end much like Super Size Me but didn’t take the chance.
Flash forward 5 years…Me: “Why on EARTH would you try pot, don’t you know it can be laced with addictive drugs!!!!!” Daughter: “But Mom the documentary we watched showed the guy having a BLAST!!!” 😉
Kevin
Yikes! I went to a catholic school and Sister Alberta told us that if you smoked a marijuana cigarette, you’d have this urge to fly off a tall building. Not sure if that line will work for your daughter but it worked for me until about grade 8. 😉