VIANARCHRIS
Well-Known Member
I wrote this for cannabis candor but thought I'd post it here instead and see what others are feeling with less than a week to go...
So here we sit on the eve of legalization, and it just seems surreal. What a long, strange trip it's been!
I have a bunch of thoughts and emotions in my little cannabis-impaired brain and they all seem to conflict. I thought it would be interesting to put them in writing and see if others are experiencing anything similar, or if I'm just stoned!
The first thought I have is the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment at finally having 'beaten the man'. Although it has been a 40 year mission, no one would have believed legalization would become a reality in our lifetimes back in 1979 when I took my first toke. It was as crazy an idea as 'video phones'...lol! But here we are....
My next thoughts drift to the nostalgic side. This is the end of an era for many of us, and in many ways that's kinda sad. We were in the minority when we first used cannabis, and were shunned by society and harassed by the police, but we kept up the fight. It got to be an art form for some, and ever so gradually we wore them down. Remember the first time you went to class high? I got kicked out of science because I couldn't stop laughing at the teacher. It was to be only the first of many “too high for school” incidents I endured.
Can you remember the first time you had to talk to your parents after you just smoked a joint? Mine was a military family who equated cannabis with heroin and cocaine. It was a rush to say the least. My best friend was the son of the assistant attorney general and we used to hot box his bedroom. Good times! The time we stashed joints in the headliner of a '71 Chevelle – and getting caught for the one in buddy's cigarette pkg. We played scared and remorseful when the cop made him destroy it – then laughed when he drove off...too funny! Those times ended with maturity for most, but we never lost the rebel inside us.
But even into adulthood, we carried a sense of pride-of-community and an ownership of the 'outlaw' or 'rebel' culture we had created or advanced for the last half century. Although much rarer, In the 2000's, Canadians were still having to hide their cannabis activities from overzealous cops. Some risked losing their jobs and homes because of a plant, but we didn't back down. The advent of a demand for medical exemptions started the major shift in public attitude and our many court wins solidified our resolve to make cannabis 'mainstream' –It worked, but it cost us 'the culture'. Us old-school 'potheads' are the end of the line – it's the start of a brand new chapter, and we are relegated to the history books.
The other thoughts I have revolve around the uncertainty of what 'legalization' will look like once it goes 'live'. A lot of seasoned tokers are worried about the rules being too restrictive and punitive, but how much of that is simply 'fear of the unknown' is up for debate. I'm not convinced it's all bad, but there are things that are just plain stupid and will be challenged. I think we'll see the hype and fear-mongering die off once the sky doesn't fall on the 17th.
So as I roll another one...I'm going to smile at the past, live in the present and be ready to continue the fight in the future if need be.
Whether you are missing the past or looking forward to the future, this is going to be an interesting ride. Buckle up!
So here we sit on the eve of legalization, and it just seems surreal. What a long, strange trip it's been!
I have a bunch of thoughts and emotions in my little cannabis-impaired brain and they all seem to conflict. I thought it would be interesting to put them in writing and see if others are experiencing anything similar, or if I'm just stoned!
The first thought I have is the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment at finally having 'beaten the man'. Although it has been a 40 year mission, no one would have believed legalization would become a reality in our lifetimes back in 1979 when I took my first toke. It was as crazy an idea as 'video phones'...lol! But here we are....
My next thoughts drift to the nostalgic side. This is the end of an era for many of us, and in many ways that's kinda sad. We were in the minority when we first used cannabis, and were shunned by society and harassed by the police, but we kept up the fight. It got to be an art form for some, and ever so gradually we wore them down. Remember the first time you went to class high? I got kicked out of science because I couldn't stop laughing at the teacher. It was to be only the first of many “too high for school” incidents I endured.
Can you remember the first time you had to talk to your parents after you just smoked a joint? Mine was a military family who equated cannabis with heroin and cocaine. It was a rush to say the least. My best friend was the son of the assistant attorney general and we used to hot box his bedroom. Good times! The time we stashed joints in the headliner of a '71 Chevelle – and getting caught for the one in buddy's cigarette pkg. We played scared and remorseful when the cop made him destroy it – then laughed when he drove off...too funny! Those times ended with maturity for most, but we never lost the rebel inside us.
But even into adulthood, we carried a sense of pride-of-community and an ownership of the 'outlaw' or 'rebel' culture we had created or advanced for the last half century. Although much rarer, In the 2000's, Canadians were still having to hide their cannabis activities from overzealous cops. Some risked losing their jobs and homes because of a plant, but we didn't back down. The advent of a demand for medical exemptions started the major shift in public attitude and our many court wins solidified our resolve to make cannabis 'mainstream' –It worked, but it cost us 'the culture'. Us old-school 'potheads' are the end of the line – it's the start of a brand new chapter, and we are relegated to the history books.
The other thoughts I have revolve around the uncertainty of what 'legalization' will look like once it goes 'live'. A lot of seasoned tokers are worried about the rules being too restrictive and punitive, but how much of that is simply 'fear of the unknown' is up for debate. I'm not convinced it's all bad, but there are things that are just plain stupid and will be challenged. I think we'll see the hype and fear-mongering die off once the sky doesn't fall on the 17th.
So as I roll another one...I'm going to smile at the past, live in the present and be ready to continue the fight in the future if need be.
Whether you are missing the past or looking forward to the future, this is going to be an interesting ride. Buckle up!
