From: morley@Apple.COM (John Morley)
Newsgroups: alt.drugs
Subject: Re: Daily use of mj
Date: 29 Jul 92 21:53:58 GMT
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, CA

In article <76752@ut-emx.uucp>, ben@ut-emx.uucp (Benjamin J. Sloan) writes:
> I have a friend who gets high every single morning before work, 
> every lunch, and most evenings.  His job allows for this sort of
> departure from his faculties.  He claims he couldn't deal with
> work otherwise. 
> 
> My question, as one in favor of recreational drug use but somewhat
> uncomfortable with more serious, addictive-type use, is: what is
> this doing to him?  Is he dealing with life?  Is he with us?  Can
> he accomplish the great things he hopes to and do all the hard work
> he expects to do?  Is he just a dreamer?  Is mj addictive?  What
> are your experiences?

I think that the only problem your friend has is that he believes that he
couldn't deal with work without getting stoned first.  What will he do if
his supplies dried up for a month, take a medical leave of absence?

As for what daily use of marijuana is doing to your friend, it depends as
much on him as it does on the grass.  If his body can tolerate the effects
of the drug and his work performance is acceptable to his employer (it sounds
like you are indicating that it is) then what's the problem other than the
scenario I mention above about being dependent on an inherently unreliable
marketplace for something that you believe is essential to your livelihood.
I am also assuming that his job does not involve controlling dangerous
machinery or other functions that might place others at risk by your friend
being in an intoxicated state while working.

Is he dealing with life?  Yes he is, but it may be a different perspective
on life than what you hold.

Is he with us?  That depends on who "us" is.  He may be more with "us" than
you suspect (gratuitous transcendental reference intentionally inserted :-}).

Can he accomplish the great things he hopes to and do all the hard work he
expects to do?  Again that is all up to him.  Would you characterize his
current accomplishments as great?  If so, then he is by definition able to
accomplish great things while regularly using marijuana.  If you don't think
he is doing great things yet, BUT he does think so, then mind your own
business.  If he is unhappy with his accomplishments to date, then he will
have to take a course of action to change things, regardless of how you
or others choose to judge him (assuming he is not engaging in some form of
sociopathic behavior).

Is he just a dreamer?  There are some very respectable religious and philo-
sophical systems that contend we are all just dreamers and the entire world
is contained in our dream.  Many people that have explored states of
consciousness brought about by drugs have corroborated this view. Perhaps your
friend is closer to reality than the you or I.  Even if you insist that the
world is solid and real, you haven't provided any evidence that your friend
is unable to cope with it (his belief in marijuana dependence notwithstanding).

Is mj addictive?  Well your friend certainly seems to have developed a great
fondness for it.  Does this mean he is addicted?  I think that depends on
what happens if he can't get any.  If he really stops functioning and cannot
continue to perform his job then I think that addiction is a fair character-
ization of his relationship with mj.

What are my experiences.  They are the basis for the previous answers.  Draw
your own conclusions.

- John

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