I am probably going to get flamed by this, but thats ok because I know anyone that flames me is probably 14.

I am the only American in a PhD Econ program. I've successfully finished the hardest year (the first) and the other Americans all quit or failed out. I am the only smoker in the program. Plenty of drinkers, but no one that smokes weed.

I've been a smoker since I was 14. I've been smoking for about 50% of the last 12 years. I can say two things regarding the whole weed scene. I love smoking it, but I am really tired of the stoner image presented in the media.

This image is bolstered by every damn 15 year old that posts on this site, or adds "420" to the end of his screenname on AIM. Even though I smoked, I don't think teenagers on the whole should smoke. Most of the guys I smoked with when I was 14 are now flipping burgers. I don't think most teenagers have the maturity to handle smoking and still accomplish something. If your 15 and smoke weed, prove to me that your mature and remember its illegal. Don't flaunt it, the image of you smoking hurts our cause.

If weed is ever to be legalized, we need to change the image of a smoker. Get rid of High Times. Yes, I said it. I've read it, but when they put articles in there about a guy that founded a church based upon smoking weed, IT HURTS THE CAUSE. It makes every potsmoker look like a freaking weirdo. Also, I've seen articles in there talking about legalizing more than just weed. STOP IT! When the average person sees that, they associate everyone that wants weed legalized with people that want LSD legal. It hurts the cause.

If you want it legalized and your a smoker, prove the world wrong by doing well in life. The image out there is that pot makes you a loser. I don't think this is true. Its just that losers are attracted to smoking it. I've smoked it for years and I am very ambitious.

I think there are lots of accomplished smokers out there - but we're not dumb enough to wear a hemp necklace or wear a t shirt. The reason I don't is that I don't want to be associated with the rank and file stoner that I detest.

SO yeah, I realize I just posted onto a mj smoking forum that I detest most potheads. Id imagine a lot of you out there do too. Im tired of telling someone that I smoke weed and they immediately see me as a lazy stoner EVEN THOUGH I MAKE MORE MONEY THAN THEM. I also work hard, seven days a week.

You know, I somewhat think right now we have a sorta happy medium in the laws. If you want to smoke, grow a little bit and you will be ok. If you can't grow your own or don't know someone that does, your probably shouldn't be smoking it anyway.


Anyone else out there in agreement?

yeah the stoner image is not for me but you can't exactly tell people to change if thats how they want to be.. i get what your on about though, not that any of it should matter. also being an economist do you will have probably hear what friedman says on drug prohibition, not saying i necessarily agree but he makes some good points? I mean weed is bad for you, heroin is worse no doubt but its the same principle, should the government intervene becuase it thinks it knows whats best for us. the whole argument about crime related to heroin is a symptom of the prohibiton.