What would Dissers do - Teens & drugs

[Principessa1284]

I knew several kids in high school (i graduated in 2003) who were straight A students AND stared in the school play, or were starting quarterbacks.. who smoked pot once or twice a week. I never did it, I didn't think it was the greatest idea, but none of them got physically injured or had anything horrible happen.

Most of them went on to college and have become normal young adults. Two in particular, I know, became total burnouts and dropped out of college. One who I was friends with, will do almost any drug he can get his hands on. I know he hasn't done much of anything lately, since he lost his job for not showing up. Thankfully, he has never stolen or done anything illegal to get money for his illegal drugs.. what a waste! He was SO smart and SO talented.

So.. it can definitely lead to more, but will it? Probably not - but there's always that one kid you knew in high school..

 

[Acklander]

So.. it can definitely lead to more, but will it? Probably not - but there's always that one kid you knew in high school..

Anything can lead to more. Look at it this way. Every heroin addict has probably smoked pot, but every pot smoker doesn't become a heroin addict. They are 2 different things.
You could probably also say every heroin addict has probably drunk a coca-cola or every heroin addict has brushed their teeth. Just because you do one doesn't mean that you will do the other.

Think of it this way - every workaholic started with getting a job, but everyone who has a job isn't a workaholic.
Every religious fanatic goes to church, but everyone who goes to church isn't a religious fanatic
Every prostitute has sex, but everyone who has sex isn't a prostitute
Every active alcoholic drinks, but not everyone who drinks is an alcoholic

In each instance, a behavior is taken to an extreme.

 

[Tiger926]

The thing is, pot is a drug. Kids self medicate for many reasons, just like adults do who drink and smoke on a daily basis. Marijuana does lead to other things in many cases, as most of my students will tell you. Many of them have done other drugs as well, as the marijuana just doesn't cut it anymore.

I don't get adults who say that it's just pot...it could be just cocaine or heroine too. I can't imagine how your kids will take you seriously, if you allow one drug, but not another? Why is one acceptable, but not another? Sure, marijuana might not cause heart failure, but it does cause some serious brain issues. Experimenting is doing it 1x or 2x, but when it's done on a consistent basis, that is a pattern of abuse, and yes, you can get addicted to marijuana. Not to mention that consistent and daily abuse can present as learning challenges. You have kids who used to be relatively bright, and now not so bright, as they can't remember anything, and can't construct a sentence to save their lives.

Many teens self-medicate due to depression or anxiety, so that could be it, but you need to help them find another coping strategy, as drugs just aren't a good one.

I hope the OP can convince her friend to talk honestly and openly with the daughter about her purpose in smoking up. It's a topic that needs to be taken seriously, and not just swept under the rug. Silence is consent...so by not saying anything, you are basically saying drug usage is ok. Again, how in the world will your kids trust you and take you seriously?

Good luck, Tiger

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

The most of the smartest and most successful people I know smoked at some point in their life, either a few times or were stoners. A good handful of them still are. No big deal. If that's all they're doing that's bad, then rock on.

 

[goofy!]

Since these girls are such close friends I think I would talk with the other parents as well. Kind of like make it a group effort. So they won't be the popular parent for a while, but they won't be able to keep these kids apart for long. This way they can all be "stopped" at the same time.

It's great to know that it's only pot, but I don't agree with the "well it's only pot" attitude. As of this moment pot is still illegal & most times it leads to other things.

I agree with the poster about not wanting to close down communication lines with my kid, but this is serious. I think I would do some "what could happen" things, like showing the kid how stupid they could look being high, show them episodes of COPS, maybe even have them talk to a cop.

Also I would suggest they come up with some kind of agreement that if the girl does do something like that again they come get her --no questions asked-- just so she'll be safe rather than driving high with other people.

Good luck to them.

I have to disagree that most times it leads to other things. Kind of like saying having a glass of wine most of the time leads to alcoholism. In my experience, (personal and I have 2 very open teens) in a few cases it leads to other things.

As for talking to a cop - funny you mentioned that. Last week I was dropping my 16 year old niece off at her high school (well to do school in a rather well heeled area.) There was a cop sitting there monitoring the incoming traffic. There is a vast amount of open space directly across from the school. My niece asked me why the cop was just sitting there watching the group of kids openly smoking joints right across the street from his car in the field every morning?

I had no answer except that, although illegal, it is probably one of the schools lessor worries. I graduated in the mid 70's, weed heaven. Our senior mug has a picture of a bong on it. The school was well aware of the pot being smoked on school grounds. They rarely busted anybody. Guess things haven't changed much in the past 30 years.

What I am getting at is that schools make a huge deal of harder drugs and more dangerous behaviors, but pot, not so much. Has been going on for at least 30 years. It is hard to go all ballistic on a teen when cops themselves often look the other way on pot .

I would keep the communication open. Talk to them about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Find out why they are smoking. Are they self-medicating, is their self-esteem low so peer pressure is getting to them? These are reasons for counseling. But putting an almost adult in lock down is always going to backfire. Unless you plan to lock the kid up in their room and home school, there is no way a parent can enforce ending a friendship. If they tried that, then it would just become the forbidden fruit.

 

[minniebride]

It's hard to give advice with so little information. Does the teen have other issues, and may be "self medicating"? If it's regular use and has been going on since elementary school, this probably is the case. So, I guess I would start out handling it from a medical/emotional point of view first and see what issues are going on there.
If it was just casual use or used socially, it wouldn't bother me so much.

Either way, I don't think I'd break up a friendship over it - that never works, it only causes resentment.

I agree completely with this poster. While I do not think pot is a heavy duty drug, for a teenager to use it so frequently, there is likely an underlying issue going on. She could be self-medicating for something else emotional that might be going on in her life.

I also agree that ending the friendship in a forced way is going to do nothing to better the situation, and could quite possibly worsen it. This is a lengthy friendship and I garuntee this girl is going to find a way to see her friends whether the parents try to stop it or not. & by putting more boundaries & stress on this girl, her pot use is likely going to increase.

I would sit the young girl down and try to find out why she is using so much. Listen to her instead of punishing her. Try to get to the root of the problem and let her know you are here for her. Get her into some counseling ASAP.

 

[mjkacmom]

I don't get adults who say that it's just pot...it could be just cocaine or heroine too. I can't imagine how your kids will take you seriously, if you allow one drug, but not another? Why is one acceptable, but not another? Sure, marijuana might not cause heart failure, but it does cause some serious brain failures - I deal with these kids all day long: can't construct sentences, can't remember anything, unmotivated in all areas of life, etc. Experimenting is doing it 1x or 2x, but when it's done on a consistent basis, that is a pattern of abuse, and yes, you can get addicted to marijuana. Not to mention that consistent and daily abuse presents as learning challenges. You have kids who used to be relatively bright, and now not so bright, as they can't remember anything, and can't construct a sentence to save their lives.

Many teens self-medicate due to depression or anxiety, so that could be it, but you need to help them find another coping strategy, as drugs just aren't a good one.

My DH smoked pot every day in college. No, he wasn't stumbling around blindly - he used pot like one would use a beer after work. He now has his MBA, and is a successful professional. Pot is not physically addicting, unlike many drugs (including alcohol). He didn't smoke pot as a coping mechanism, he wasn't depressed. He like the way it make him feel (makes me feel lazy and hungry). Of course, as soon as we had a child, no more pot.

I know dozens of people who smoked pot back in the day (and some who still do), and not one went on to other drugs, most have post graduate degrees, and have full lives.

 

[Tiger926]

My DH smoked pot every day in college. No, he wasn't stumbling around blindly - he used pot like one would use a beer after work. He now has his MBA, and is a successful professional. Pot is not physically addicting, unlike many drugs (including alcohol). He didn't smoke pot as a coping mechanism, he wasn't depressed. He like the way it make him feel (makes me feel lazy and hungry). Of course, as soon as we had a child, no more pot.

I know dozens of people who smoked pot back in the day (and some who still do), and not one went on to other drugs, most have post graduate degrees, and have full lives.

There are many people who smoke cigarettes or drink for 40 years, and don't get cancer either, yet it doesn't make it right. And I would say just because your husband has an MBA it still doesn't make his decision to smoke drugs each day a good one. Why stop once you have a child - if it's ok before, it should be ok after? He's lucky he didn't have any adverse effects - do kids really need to hear these stories though? All this does is encourage the behaviour.

If you are smoking each and everyday, you are addicted to the way it makes you feel, or, the act itself. You can get addicted to marijuana - we have lots of research, as well as workshops from police and drug counsellors that shows us that it is indeed addictive. This is all a moot point anyway, since I'm assuming your husband was in his 20s, whereas the OP's friends' daughter is in junior high - maybe 11 or 12 years old? Totally different as she is developing and growing, so putting drugs into an already confused brain and body, is not the greatest of choices. Your husband made the choice to consume drugs as an adult...totally different perspective.

Tiger

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Not sure what I would do, as the details would likely drive that, but I would try my best not to over-react. Forcing her to give up life-long friends is not an option at that age.

 

[bellebud]

if these high school girls are getting together a few times a week and smoking pot, they don't have enough to do. they're bored. A few times a week, every week, is too much. A few times every week means it's not just weekend, social use.

I can't really say what I'd do from here though... my kids are 11 and 9.

 

[proud_canadian]

WOW! All I can say is just wow. I cannot believe how many people are defending smoking pot!

Maybe it just isn't as common here, or at least maybe it wasn't when I was in high school in the early 90s, but I went to a high school in the country, in Ontario, Canada, and while there were a few kids who everyone knew did drugs, it certainly wasn't mainstream. I went to a lot of parties, and I can't ever remember seeing others doing drugs... if they were, they certainly weren't pressuring me to do any.

It's illegal, it affects the way you think, it's dangerous when driving, it costs a lot of money to do it that often (who is paying for it???), and like another poster likely said... they are bored.

You can't really break up the friendship, but I'd have serious talks with my daughter about why she was doing it, and all the circumstances surrounding it. I would punish her, make her stop, and she would lose a lot of my trust. If I found out she was still doing it afterwards, she would again be punished.

And for those who said it is just like sneaking a beer... sorry, but a 15 or 16 year old doesn't need to be drinking beer either. There's a reason the legal drinking age is 19 here!

 

[auntie]

Having three kids, youngest of which is 19 now. We've been down this road a few times. Reality is...it's illegal, and you will be drug tested by almost any employer. So if you want to go the route of "no big deal"...that's wrong, it will be a big deal when they can't get a job. All of my kids know of someone who was turned down for employment because they smoked weed.
I'm also probably the only mom of a teen that wishes the drinking age was 18 again. (which it was when I was young and dinosaurs roamed the earth). When kids today drink, they drink as if they're never gonna see alcohol ever again. Thus the binge drinking. Back in the "old days" if you wanted a beer after work, you could have one. You didn't need to drink a case, thinking that you might not have another any time soon. I think EDUCATION is what was needed in regard to drinking responsibly, and that's what made a difference, not raising the drinking age. Yet, I digress..
As for pot...the thing is, its WAY more potent these days. So while some here are getting a chuckle from reliving their youth and shrug their shoulders with a "no big deal" response, the "product" has also changed. It's also often laced with more potent and addictive drugs.
I agree with the poster who works with kids who use regularly. Now it's pot, then it's laced with other things to give it more kick.
I think condoning it as no big deal to 15 and 16 year olds..is the wrong message to send. I wouldn't condone alcohol for kids that young either. Are you going to supply them a list of drugs that are acceptable, and a list that aren't?...Really, where do you draw the line.
Again, it's been my experience that so many kids turn to drugs, as it's readily available and so EASY to obtain. Certainly drug dealers aren't asking for their ID.

 

[Tiger926]

WOW! All I can say is just wow. I cannot believe how many people are defending smoking pot!

Maybe it just isn't as common here, or at least maybe it wasn't when I was in high school in the early 90s, but I went to a high school in the country, in Ontario, Canada, and while there were a few kids who everyone knew did drugs, it certainly wasn't mainstream. I went to a lot of parties, and I can't ever remember seeing others doing drugs... if they were, they certainly weren't pressuring me to do any.

It's illegal, it affects the way you think, it's dangerous when driving, it costs a lot of money to do it that often (who is paying for it???), and like another poster likely said... they are bored.

You can't really break up the friendship, but I'd have serious talks with my daughter about why she was doing it, and all the circumstances surrounding it. I would punish her, make her stop, and she would lose a lot of my trust. If I found out she was still doing it afterwards, she would again be punished.

And for those who said it is just like sneaking a beer... sorry, but a 15 or 16 year old doesn't need to be drinking beer either. There's a reason the legal drinking age is 19 here!

.

Having three kids, youngest of which is 19 now. We've been down this road a few times. Reality is...it's illegal, and you will be drug tested by almost any employer. So if you want to go the route of "no big deal"...that's wrong, it will be a big deal when they can't get a job. All of my kids know of someone who was turned down for employment because they smoked weed.
I'm also probably the only mom of a teen that wishes the drinking age was 18 again. (which it was when I was young and dinosaurs roamed the earth). When kids today drink, they drink as if they're never gonna see alcohol ever again. Thus the binge drinking. Back in the "old days" if you wanted a beer after work, you could have one. You didn't need to drink a case, thinking that you might not have another any time soon. I think EDUCATION is what was needed in regard to drinking responsibly, and that's what made a difference, not raising the drinking age. Yet, I digress..
As for pot...the thing is, its WAY more potent these days. So while some here are getting a chuckle from reliving their youth and shrug their shoulders with a "no big deal" response, the "product" has also changed. It's also often laced with more potent and addictive drugs.
I agree with the poster who works with kids who use regularly. Now it's pot, then it's laced with other things to give it more kick.
I think condoning it as no big deal to 15 and 16 year olds..is the wrong message to send. I wouldn't condone alcohol for kids that young either. Are you going to supply them a list of drugs that are acceptable, and a list that aren't?...Really, where do you draw the line.
Again, it's been my experience that so many kids turn to drugs, as it's readily available and so EASY to obtain. Certainly drug dealers aren't asking for their ID.

You made some great points too - this is my thing, as I mentioned above. If you allow one drug, and not others, you've lost all credibility as a parent, not to mention, you look like a fool. Teens love playing their parents for fools, and this is a great example of that. Seriously, will you supply your kids a list of what substances are acceptable or not?

As we've learned in the highschool area, silence is consent. If you don't teach or guide children, they will make the wrong choices, and smoking pot on a regular basis is a bad choice. People shouldn't wonder why kids have a hard time understanding this, when the adults in their lives find it perfectly acceptable to do so...

It is a hard topic for some, and it really doesn't need to be. Pot is illegal, it changes your brain chemistry and it could lead to other more dangerous and risky behaviours. In our neck of the woods, we like to set our students up for success, so we don't condone, nor encourage pot in any way, shape or form. It's a very hard battle to fight, as the pro-pot attitudes on this thread show...

Tiger

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

.... If you allow one drug, and not others, you've lost all credibility as a parent, not to mention, you look like a fool...

What complete bunk. So, if I have a beer then I look like a fool for not supporting the use of heroin? Sorry, the one who looks like a fool is the one who thinks that all drugs are equally dangerous.

 

[Acklander]

. If you allow one drug, and not others, you've lost all credibility as a parent, not to mention, you look like a fool.

I don't see where anyone says they would allow it, and it's not how I would choose for my teen to spend his time, however, I'm able to keep it in perspective. There is a big difference between a teen smoking a joint now and then and someone mainlining heroin; and if I found out my teen was occasionally getting high on pot I'd treat it differently than if I found out my teen was shooting up.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Personally I would take a middle of the road type of response. Not simply saying it is no big deal, but then again not treating it like a huge issue either.

I think that for the most part smoking pot is less dangerous to one's health than smoking cigarettes. EXCEPT that pot is not legal and that adds all kinds of ramifications such as the possibility of being prosecuted, the possibility of getting a drug mixed with other (worse) substances, the danger of being involved in any way with people who are illegally trading drugs, etc.

I would probably talk to my teen and make sure she understands all of the practical reasons why smoking pot could be trouble (well, I have had this talk already with my kids and it crops up from time ti time anyway--but I guess if I were in the situation described in the OP I would need to reiterate the message).
I would also want to know more about what is really going on. Are they growing it themselves just for their use? (thus taking away some of the worst concerns). Does she feel she is addicted and may need help to stop? Does she go to class or drive high, or is she only using after school when walking home? How does SHE view what she is doing (is she defensive and clearly trying to rebel? Is she trying to fit in with friends? Does she truly find it relaxing? Does she NEED to get high or just do so when the opportunity arises?).

My reaction would depend largely on what I found out from this talk. I MIGHT seek treatment for her (for addiction or an underlying depression, etc). I MIGHT take away driving privileges (certainly if I felt she may have driven while high). I MIGHT want her to only be places with adult supervision (but she could still be with her friends as long as a trusted adult were also there).
I would not try to tell a child (especially not an older teen) who they can and cannot be friends with. Nor would I take away a ton of stuff and set up a me vs. them situation.

I'm also probably the only mom of a teen that wishes the drinking age was 18 again. (which it was when I was young and dinosaurs roamed the earth)
. . . .
I think condoning it as no big deal to 15 and 16 year olds..is the wrong message to send. I wouldn't condone alcohol for kids that young either. Are you going to supply them a list of drugs that are acceptable, and a list that aren't?...Really, where do you draw the line.
Again, it's been my experience that so many kids turn to drugs, as it's readily available and so EASY to obtain. Certainly drug dealers aren't asking for their ID.

The legal age to drink beer and wine where I live is 16. I think that is great. The kids are learning how to handle drinking, how much is appropriate, etc. while they are still young enough to be living at home and have a parent's guidance.

You made some great points too - this is my thing, as I mentioned above. If you allow one drug, and not others, you've lost all credibility as a parent, not to mention, you look like a fool. Teens love playing their parents for fools, and this is a great example of that. Seriously, will you supply your kids a list of what substances are acceptable or not?


Tiger

While I don't actually supply my kids with any such list, YES, I do think my kids (and most) are perfectly capable of handling shades of grey and knowing drugs (like most other thins) are not an all or nothing thing. I guess the drug/substance list for my kids would include this type of thing:

alcohol: never okay when driving. Otherwise fine (maybe even healthy) in smaller quantities but can be dangerous if not used appropriately.

cigarettes: legal (after 18 in the US I believe) but deadly to you and those around you (slow, painful death) and highly addictive. I hope you avoid them always.

Glue: use it to glue things (be sure there is good ventilation) but not to get high this can really be quite dangerous.

Caffeine: Fine in smallish doses, but don't get so hyped up on it you are shaking and don;t use it excessively to short change yourself on sleep.

Pot: Not all that bad for you in truth, but like alcohol it could be easily overused if not careful AND because it is illegal it is fraught with other issues. If you are in a country where it is legal and you know the source is okay, trying it in reasonable quantities is probably fine.

Prescription drugs: mostly good when used according to doctor's orders. Pay attention though and stop and get help for weird reactions and also pay attention to the research for anything you will be on long term. Drug companies are out for profit and not always as honest as they should be.

Meth: Could be deadly the first time out. Stay away from this!!!!

and on and on and on (you get the idea, right?).

Oh, and no I do not think I look like a fool when I allow my child to drink a Coke when they are sleepy and need the boost to make it through a late night show (they are in theatre) but not to smoke crack. I think I would look like a fool if i failed to recognize that different drugs have vastly different uses and reactions.

 

[DVCLiz]

Personally I would take a middle of the road type of response. Not simply saying it is no big deal, but then again not treating it like a huge issue either.

I think that for the most part smoking pot is less dangerous to one's health than smoking cigarettes. EXCEPT that pot is not legal and that adds all kinds of ramifications such as the possibility of being prosecuted, the possibility of getting a drug mixed with other (worse) substances, the danger of being involved in any way with people who are illegally trading drugs, etc.

I would probably talk to my teen and make sure she understands all of the practical reasons why smoking pot could be trouble (well, I have had this talk already with my kids and it crops up from time ti time anyway--but I guess if I were in the situation described in the OP I would need to reiterate the message).
I would also want to know more about what is really going on. Are they growing it themselves just for their use? (thus taking away some of the worst concerns). Does she feel she is addicted and may need help to stop? Does she go to class or drive high, or is she only using after school when walking home? How does SHE view what she is doing (is she defensive and clearly trying to rebel? Is she trying to fit in with friends? Does she truly find it relaxing? Does she NEED to get high or just do so when the opportunity arises?).

My reaction would depend largely on what I found out from this talk. I MIGHT seek treatment for her (for addiction or an underlying depression, etc). I MIGHT take away driving privileges (certainly if I felt she may have driven while high). I MIGHT want her to only be places with adult supervision (but she could still be with her friends as long as a trusted adult were also there).
I would not try to tell a child (especially not an older teen) who they can and cannot be friends with. Nor would I take away a ton of stuff and set up a me vs. them situation.

The legal age to drink beer and wine where I live is 16. I think that is great. The kids are learning how to handle drinking, how much is appropriate, etc. while they are still young enough to be living at home and have a parent's guidance.


While I don't actually supply my kids with any such list, YES, I do think my kids (and most) are perfectly capable of handling shades of grey and knowing drugs (like most other thins) are not an all or nothing thing. I guess the drug/substance list for my kids would include this type of thing:

alcohol: never okay when driving. Otherwise fine (maybe even healthy) in smaller quantities but can be dangerous if not used appropriately.

cigarettes: legal (after 18 in the US I believe) but deadly to you and those around you (slow, painful death) and highly addictive. I hope you avoid them always.

Glue: use it to glue things (be sure there is good ventilation) but not to get high this can really be quite dangerous.

Caffeine: Fine in smallish doses, but don't get so hyped up on it you are shaking and don;t use it excessively to short change yourself on sleep.

Pot: Not all that bad for you in truth, but like alcohol it could be easily overused if not careful AND because it is illegal it is fraught with other issues. If you are in a country where it is legal and you know the source is okay, trying it in reasonable quantities is probably fine.

Prescription drugs: mostly good when used according to doctor's orders. Pay attention though and stop and get help for weird reactions and also pay attention to the research for anything you will be on long term. Drug companies are out for profit and not always as honest as they should be.

Meth: Could be deadly the first time out. Stay away from this!!!!

and on and on and on (you get the idea, right?).

Oh, and no I do not think I look like a fool when I allow my child to drink a Coke when they are sleepy and need the boost to make it through a late night show (they are in theatre) but not to smoke crack. I think I would look like a fool if i failed to recognize that different drugs have vastly different uses and reactions.

 

[Tink888]

OP here - thanks to all for the responses. I am going to show this thread to my friend.

I talked to her again and she has been talking to her daughter about it and will continue to. I guess her DD just seems to feel that everything is just funnier (her words) when her and her friends are high. And I do think that maybe boredom might factor into it also.

Friend said DD told her that they aren't always smoking pot. Sometimes they smoke something called Posh?? which apparently is a smoking spice that has the same affects as pot without the ability to show up on drug tests and apparently you can buy it legally in some stores. I have never even heard of it.

Friend also said that where the friendships are concerned.....that I guess this isn't the only reason she'd just as soon see the friendship end. She said there have been some instances in the past with lying, etc and she's just getting more and more of a bad vibe in the past few months so I guess there's a lot more behind it. I still don't know how she'd enforce it and not have it completely backfire.

She's just worried. We've all done our share of stuff when we were young, just gets harder to keep perspective and not over-react with our own kids. How can you not worry? I tell her to TALK, TALK, TALK.

 

[goofy!]

There are many people who smoke cigarettes or drink for 40 years, and don't get cancer either, yet it doesn't make it right. And I would say just because your husband has an MBA it still doesn't make his decision to smoke drugs each day a good one. Why stop once you have a child - if it's ok before, it should be ok after? He's lucky he didn't have any adverse effects - do kids really need to hear these stories though? All this does is encourage the behaviour. Like I said, I can show you hundreds of teens where the marijuana does affect them negatively, as well as a few adults who smoked so much, that it resulted in special needs children (it had a serious effect on their sperm). There are always exceptions, but kids don't need to know this...

If you are smoking each and everyday, you are addicted to the way it makes you feel, or, the act itself. You can get addicted to marijuana - we have lots of research, as well as workshops from police and drug counsellors that shows us that it is indeed addictive. There is physical addiction and emotional addiction, and that is what is at play here. If a young child is smoking each and everyday, then she is emotionally addicted and invested in that drug - something is working for her, because if it wasn't, she more than likely wouldn't continue the behaviour at that age. It is not social use or experimentation at that point.

This is all a moot point anyway, since I'm assuming your husband was in his 20s, whereas the OP's friends' daughter is in junior high - maybe 11 or 12 years old? Totally different as she is developing and growing, so putting drugs into an already confused brain and body, is not the greatest of choices. Your husband made the choice to consume drugs as an adult...totally different perspective.

Tiger

Please provide a scientific link that proves pot causes birth defects due to changes in sperm

 

[goofy!]

The legal age to drink beer and wine where I live is 16. I think that is great. The kids are learning how to handle drinking, how much is appropriate, etc. while they are still young enough to be living at home and have a parent's guidance.

Ahh Europe.

Come to think of it, none of my cousins are meth dealers, heroin addicts, have had sperm changes, are raging alcoholics living under a bridge. They are all very, very successful adults.

and.....

growing up, you could go into any cafe in Amsterdam and not only order a coffee, but also a joint. I used to marvel at the menu boards where the types of pot available were listed right next to the coffee.

And they could go into a bar and drink. As somebody up thread said, they didn't have that thought process that they may never have another beer until they were 21, so lets get as much as we can now.

So, to the mom who said she might be the only one who wants the drinking age lowered again, nope, you are not alone. But I will take it one futher; I am all for legalizing pot too. And lowering the drinking age back down to 18. Even down to 16 like Europe.

Excellent post btw, NHDisneylover! But then, being European Boulderites might give one a skewed view