Letters to the Editor
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Depressing number of middle-aged stoners here
LOL, is this really representative of Salon readership? (If so, it's kinda embarassing, Ms. Walsh.) I don't think marijuana should be criminalized; however that's not the same as endorsing middle-aged and older adults who still sadly hang around in their free time lighting up and thinking they are cool. One of the things I have observed about dope smokers is that THEY always think they are fine and have it all together, and that the dope is just making them relax, but any sober person in the room can see their glazed eyes, slack rambling talk and air-headed behavior. Again, it's usually not a hideous crime against humanity, just stupid (unless you drive, of course).
As far as I understand it, in a couple of states (CA, Oregon and Alaska, I think), you can get permits to smoke medical marijuana, but that's a state thing and the feds don't see eye to eye with the state about this, so you can still get prosecuted at the federal level. Also, that some of the controversy was and is that people would get medical permits for the slightest condition ("I have a hangnail! It really really hurts!), and that appears to be the case with the Mom here.
It's one thing to say that marijuana relieves the nausea of chemo and let's cancer patients eat and deal with their illness. It's another to take it for ANYTHING. As many have pointed out, it's not even appropriate for back pain. Clearly, the Mom has a corrupt physician who simply handed over a medical prescription because she's a doper and likes to get high, not because of a real medical problem. (Hint: if you really have serious back pain, you need to A. see an Orthopedic Surgeon, B. exercise and physical therapy and C. appropriate prescription meds -- not sit around toking up. Certainly not following the Grateful Dead, LOL.)
I think a 15 year old who saw his suffering mother take small amounts of MJ for her terrible pain would not be as harsh as this boy is being. It's pretty clear he's sick and tired of having a stoned, glazed-eyed slacker mom who lays around the house all day. You are not an SAHM if you spend every hour of the day in a drug-fueled stupor. I should add that the husband and the LW have really fallen down on their jobs as spouse and friend if they have sat by and allowed this pathetic juvenile woman who seems to be continually reliving her teen years (following rock bands, etc. instead of having a job) at the expense of her children's lives.
This is also further proof that wealthy white people seem to get away with drug use that would put any minority welfare mom straight into jail or rehab....because they can usually avoid social services, they can hide in their big houses and they have plenty of money to buy their drugs with.
The individuals have observed who are long-time marijuana users, while they may not be killing or knifing anyone for their habit, are often sort of sadly detached from their lives, and often stuck in very passive situations, where the MJ helps them avoid change or growth. The only thing that seems to get their passionate interest is when you challenge the legality of their drug of choice -- boy, then (as here), the passive smoker turns into a vocal social critic, on a dime.
If marijuana laws are wrong, then protest, march, vote, write your Congresspersons and make your voice heard. But the way to fight a law you feel is wrong is not to skulk about in your backyard, toking up in front of your kids. Alcohol is legal, but it would be equally wrong to get drunk into front of your children. If the Mom in this story was really a responsible user, she would get high in places and at times where her children were not around -- when they were at friend's houses or when she was out of town. The fact that she can't discipline herself to do this is glaring proof that this is NOT something she has "under control", but that it's a dependency that has HER in its grip. Marijuana is psychologically addictive after prolonged use.
Also, what seems left out of this story curiously is the Dad's role. Is he also using dope in front of the kids? Or is he clean? Why is he enabling this woman to live this frivolous lifestyle, not working and following rock bands around? BTW: if by some chance the Mom did get sent to jail (unlikely), the boys would NOT be in foster care, since they have a father in the home, and probably some grandparents and other relatives as well.
It is worth considering that even if the state of California turns a blind eye to marijuana use, that is not true in most other states, so the Mom (or any of the stoners posting here) need to exercise some caution when traveling or visting other areas. It's still illegal most places. And most work places won't tolerate it, and test for it -- probably why the Mom can't hold a job -- do you guys honestly want someone high on dope doing brain surgery on you? flying the airplane you are on? driving in the car in the next lane? Gee, didn't think so.