Mother's little helper — pot

[Vicki Larson]

I feel like I'm behind the times. Evidently, minivan-driving suburban soccer moms are smoking pot to chill. Well, nobody told me; I'm still having my Lemon Drops, Cosmos and zin!

I don't want to begrudge any mom her doobie — I'm sure she earned it. But, I'm a little worried about the "crutch" factor.

What do you think?

[Val]

Interesting topic as I just researched the whole medical marijuana issue for WA state 2 days ago. Hubby told me that my disorders were included. UMM, sure, but you still have to buy from a dealer or you have to grow your own and then you have to worry that the court may not like your reason. It's not sold in a pharmeucy here so there is not "prescription" for it, it's a docs note.

I plan on talking to my two really good cop friends about it in the morning. One's a capt and the other has been in for 20 years, over 40years between them. So I'm interested in their take.

But my take is, if I have to sneak around to get it I just can't. I'd be here freaking out waiting to get caught and waiting for the cops. I couldn't chill. That's just my guilty conscience and that SUCKS! lol I don't take painkillers cause I'm afraid to be addicted with the huge family history, so some pot for the bad days sure would be awesome.

I'm not saying that my wine, martini's or beer are any better, not by any means. I'm just saying I don't have to worry about the cops coming to my door if I'm drinking alcohol. If you are not driving under the influence of any substance, I'm all for legalized drugs. Stupid, is stupid, doesn't matter what you are drinking or taking, you need to be responsible.

[Jennifer Reed]

I don't smoke, I know those that do. This is the way I see it. I look at smoking weed like drinking alcohal. In moderation and there is a time and place for everything. The kids are up and moving about... not a good time to toxify the body with something that alters the mind and your reaction pace. So, those that smoke, thats fine. Just be responsible about it.

[Alicia426]

I think that pot should be legalized. But until it is I will not be smoking it. It was one thing when I was in college and had no real responsibilities, but now that I have a daughter I don't want to make light of any law. I don't want her to think it's ok to drink at 15 because Mommy smokes pot. I may be being a little dramatic about it, but who knows what reason she will come up with for future rebellion. As my mom used to say, "Everything is going to be my fault one day anyway, so we are doing things my way whether you like it or not". That being said, I do wish the powers that be would legalize it because sometimes after a rough day of potty training I would love nothing more than to sit on my deck and light a bowl, especially since I have been trying to get back in shape and drinking no more than 2 glasses of wine a week.

[Val]

Alicia426 said:

As my mom used to say, "Everything is going to be my fault one day anyway, so we are doing things my way whether you like it or not".

My best friends and I pass the Mommy of the year award around as a joke. LOL But our main thing is the kids will go to counseling for something. May as well be something we believe in!

[Noelle]

.. honestly? It's idiotic! Smoking Pot is no better than smoking tobacco..and let me tell you.. cancer SUCKS!!! .. and any self respecting mom should keep that crap away from their kids.

Need to chill? Drink ONE glass of wine... Go for a walk...crank the music and dance around the living room..or heck... buy a vibrator, use it.. and take a little nap.

[Meg Hansen]

I think if you need to smoke pot to relax then you have a problem. There are so many other options out there than this. And, smoking pot opens the door to many other problems. Pot smokers will debate you on this but I know plenty of people that have gone on to do more harmful drugs and I think it just makes you stupid after awhile.

A lot of people do it and more than I realize. It's kind of scary I think.

[carmen miranda]

There are some big leaps made in here! Smoking doesn't necessarily mean you have a problem, as Alicia said, sometimes it's nice to relax. That said, I have only engaged about 5 times in the 18 years that I've had kids - I just don't like it as much. But, such sweeping statements don't help the problem. The "mommy nights" scare me far worse where moms think it's fun to drink wine and let the kids play. Yet - what do people think happened in the 60s and 70s? I remember my parents having a drink as soon as my dad (and then later my mom, too) got home from work.

Like anything else, it's about intelligent decision making, responsibility, being wary of dependency, and healthy choices.

Meg Hansen said:

I think if you need to smoke pot to relax then you have a problem. There are so many other options out there than this. And, smoking pot opens the door to many other problems. Pot smokers will debate you on this but I know plenty of people that have gone on to do more harmful drugs and I think it just makes you stupid after awhile.
A lot of people do it and more than I realize. It's kind of scary I think.

[RSLaughlin]

I couldn't agree with you more!

Noelle said:

.. honestly? It's idiotic! Smoking Pot is no better than smoking tobacco..and let me tell you.. cancer SUCKS!!! .. and any self respecting mom should keep that crap away from their kids.

Need to chill? Drink ONE glass of wine... Go for a walk...crank the music and dance around the living room..or heck... buy a vibrator, use it.. and take a little nap.

[RSLaughlin]

It is a crutch, just as any drug is. Drugs (legal or not) are to help the person escape from something, be it pain or mental anguish, boredom or to just take the "edge" off life so they aren't so cranky. Pot is nothing- mom's have been doing that for awhile. Many moms (females) have takin' to popping Ritalin, so many so that they are claiming their children are ADHD so they can score the drug through their childrens Pediatrician. What people won't do. No one wants to actually "feel" anymore. No one wants to take the time to actually "deal" with their stress and problems. I think its very sad and an easy way out. I'll burst several mom's bubbles on here, but the cold hard truth is that if you (as a mom) can't deal with your issues, don't ever expect your children to learn how to handle their issues, that would make you a complete hypocrite!

[Cara]

Just my two cents, I'm against it... period! Now, I've been around my share, hubby used to before our son was born, and we still know people who do, but everyone who knows me or my family, knows that they aren't allowed to have any of that around our house or family.

[Lissa B]

An absolute AMEN to this. I have way too much experience with it in my house - not personal use. Oh yeah I tried it. Three times. Every single time I've thrown up my toes, my stomach and everything in between. But my husband and my oldest son (who has now been clean for a year) are or were long time users.

Anyone who "wakes and bakes" first thing in the morning or has to get high as soon as he comes home from work and will do nothing but sit on his can and do 12 ounce curls for the next 8 hours (yes - he's also an alcoholic which is a relatively recent development) is clearly addicted to marijuana. He says it's to "chill" - calm down from his day.

Bull.... he's been using since he was a teen ager, has lied to me repeatedly about quitting. Yes, there are those who can and do use it in very limited moderation, but I don't care what researchers say, pot IS a gateway drug. A gateway to laziness, a gateway to cruddy attitudes, a gateway to responsibilities piling up, a gateway to things not getting done, a gateway to needing more and more to chill which is a sure gateway to not having enough money for the important things in life. Like say a power bill or groceries.

Sign me "Been there and still doing that..."

RSLaughlin said:

I couldn't agree with you more!

Noelle said:

.. honestly? It's idiotic! Smoking Pot is no better than smoking tobacco..and let me tell you.. cancer SUCKS!!! .. and any self respecting mom should keep that crap away from their kids.

Need to chill? Drink ONE glass of wine... Go for a walk...crank the music and dance around the living room..or heck... buy a vibrator, use it.. and take a little nap.

[Lori Radun]

I relax in natural ways...no alcohol or smoking pot. I did that in my teenage days. I suppose I've outgrown it and prefer to relax by taking a bike ride, lying down and relaxing, changing my thoughts, listening to great music, lighting candles, etc. I don't want to put that kind of stuff in my body. Call me a prude, but I prefer to practice and teach my children healthy living.