Marijuana is a controversial topic no one seems to talk about, but everyone seems to know about. You can go onto the streets and ask a complete stranger and they can either be for it, against it or not care about it whatsoever. "Stoners" seem to get a bad rep, but is there such a thing as a successful stoner? One who can smoke and still work and function like a 'normal' sober adult? I interviewed 10 individuals, five who smoke weed and five who do not, about their opinions on marijuana. I asked them questions such as what makes a stoner a stoner, whether they can really function and be proactive while high and what each one has to say to the opposing side.
So we start with what exactly is a stoner? What differentiates someone who smokes and a 'stoner' or a pothead? One says, "A stoner is someone who worships weed and their face just lights up with excitement and love before they toke up." I have realized through the variety of answers that smoking is more about cherishing the high, because it is like a "gift" that brightens individuals moods rather then the fact that they are participating in the act of something illegal.
Another continues by adding "A stoner is someone who smokes frequently, and who appreciates the weed—rather then abuses it." Another stoner gives a different input by saying, "Someone that smokes might not turn down an opportunity, but a stoner will actually go out and buy their own pot, smoking it regularly as much as they want... Which typically is on the daily."
Those who don't smoke also had their opinions on this. According to a majority of those who don't smoke, a stoner is "Someone who can't stop smoking," and someone who "cannot go a day without smoking or they will have withdrawals." Another added, "A stoner is someone who smokes everyday and cannot stop no matter what they do." So as a conclusion from both sides, a 'stoner' is someone who loves smoking and does it on a daily basis.
An average person has many responsibilities and tasks they have to get done during their day, but can being high impair these activities? According to the "stoners" I interviewed they said they can do pretty much anything when they're high without a problem. One individual I interviewed said, "I always get school work done first, and never don't do it because I'm smoking." Another added, "If I don't get everything accomplished, I don't smoke. It's simple as that." The last one added, "Some people definitely cannot smoke and be functioning adults at the same time, especially if they aren't stoners, but us stoners definitely can."
Now, when I asked the non smokers, their input was different. One's input was "Yes and no, because when you're stoned you're in a different world, it's almost like a 'LaLa Land'— they're not fully there." Another added, "Sure they can do the things they can when they're sober, but they won't do it correctly. Like, they will mess something up or not be able to function properly."
So according to the stoners, they can get high as much as they want as long as they get their work done. They can be functioning adults who pay taxes, go to school and work and be a normal citizen. The last question I asked this group was, If you had something to say to the other side, what would you say? Expecting something vicious to be said to the other side, I was shocked when everyone I interviewed had nothing but nice send offs. The potheads all said things along the lines of them understanding that people don't smoke and they are considerate of their feelings, but not to knock it until you try it. The non stoners understood that anyone can do what they want but to not bring it by them or force it upon them.
As our nation is getting closer and closer to the legalization of marijuana everywhere, I'm glad to have spoken to stoners who seem to be able to function well.
(Thank you to everyone who gave me their time and allowed me use their statements in this article!)
