If you are pro-marijuana, what do you teach your kids?

[transformed]

If you are pro-pot, what are you teaching your kids about the "drug" status?

(Also-state your position, some are pro-medical marijuana, some are pro-everything pot, etc....so many different views!)

I am pro-lealize marijuana...and so is my dh. But he still want to teach the kids its a dangerous drug. I think I caught him offguard with the question. He hadnt ever thought about it.

But honestly, I dont have a better answer so I was just wondering about you all!:

[rambunctiouscurls]

My dd is only 14.5 months old so I still have some time. But I like this book for kids

http://www.justaplant.com/

and Oh, I'm pro-pot all the way.

[transformed]

Originally Posted by Mommy2Amira

My dd is only 14.5 months old so I still have some time. But I like this book for kids

http://www.justaplant.com/

and Oh, I'm pro-pot all the way.

I saw this guy on Bill oreily! I think you can get it on youtube!

[rambunctiouscurls]

Ugh Bill O Reily. I bet he wouldn't even let the author talk.

[transformed]

it wasnt bad, actually. I mean, clearly Bill Oreiley was not an advocate for the guy but I think he was surprisingly respectful!

[Ruthla]

I've talked to my kids about the science of drugs and medications- what marijuana actually does to the body, the politics surrounding it being illegal, etc. I also explain about other illicit drugs that actually ARE dangerous, responsible alcohol consumption, and the appropriate times to use pharmaceuticals.

Marijuana education is just part of an all around drug/health education.

I will not use marijuana because it is illegal and IMO the legal risk isn't worth the potential physical benefits. If it was legal where I live, I'd consider using it medicinally just as I'd consider any other herb.

ETA: I haven't had this conversation with my 6yo yet.

[rootzdawta]

Well, I'm pro-marijuana (although I don't smoke myself). I will tell my son when he's old enough (and I tell my nieces and nephews who are old enough), that it's a plant, a herb with healing and nutritive properties. I also tell them that like alcohol (which I'm not against either) you have to be responsible with how you use it. You can't be reckless. You have to respect it's power. I'm just honest about it. Just because someone says something is illegal doesn't mean it's wrong or bad. I juxtapose the MJ issue with civil rights/apartheid issues--at one point, it was illegal to drink from a certain fountain and attend certain schools.

[ShaggyDaddy]

I will tell my kids what I believe to be the truth.

The government is so zelous about prosecuting drugs like marijuana because they do not have a very good infrastructure to tax and regulate them. Since Nixon gave way too much power to the DEA, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 provided them a direct pathway around the constitutional legislative stystem to designate the illegality of drugs without the need for pesky scientific or legal basis. As a result drugs used by Nixon's enemies (hippies) were deemed the most "dangerous" and therefore the "most illegal". Today the government spends more on drug enforcement (including police, DEA, border, customs, and 60% of our prison spending) than they do on education or healthcare. All for a failed political agenda in 1970.

I don't think it's a good idea to smoke pot. I have found through personal experience that it makes my friends boring, lazy, makes them act unintellegent, and it is expensive. I don't think it should be the government's choice, however. If you don't smoke pot cause it is illegal, you have not improved yourself at all, if you don't smoke it because you would like to remain the master of your own thoughts and senses then you are exercising true personal development. I don't think they should smoke pot, and pot happens to be illegal, the two are hardly related. I don't think they should eat trans fats either.

I am not pro-legalization, I am pro-constitution, and since illegalization is not constitutional, I don't believe action should be required to "elevate drugs" but rather to remove illegal political strategies against people who use them (removing their citizenship and political right to vote by making them felons for instance).

And yes, I have made parts of this rant to my 2.5 year old, and no he does not understand a word.

[carmel23]

It's a plant.

[MamaB2C]

Although I have years before this is an issue, and things can change, we plan to tell our son that thought we disagree with the marijuana laws and feel they are ill-informed, that it is safer than legal drugs like alcohol and tobacco, and that it should be legalized, it is currently illegal and we do not advocate him breaking the law.

[mistymama]

Oh my, how I struggle with this. I'm subbing so I can read all of the replies.

I think pot should be legal, I feel it is safer than alcohol. We occasionally smoke pot well after DS is in bed. I know I don't want him to go through the public school DARE program ... but I have no idea what I want to tell him.

I've shared the link before about the children's book It's Just a Plant, but I've yet to buy or share that with him. It's such a tricky subject. It's not a bad plant, it can be used recreationally IMO better than most other legal drugs, but at the same time it IS illegal.

Ok, I'm watching this thread.

[WuWei]

Originally Posted by ShaggyDaddy

And yes, I have made parts of this rant to my 2.5 year old, and no he does not understand a word.

I thought this was the case!


Pat

[cutekid]

While my DS is only 3.5, I do have a step daughter that I recently had this conversation with. She was bellowing to me the evils of marijuana. She soundled like one of those bad anti-drug videos from public school.
I told her that Marijuana was illegal because some people thought it should be. While I have my opinions of the legal status of the drug she should continue to respect the fact it is still a "drug" and so long as its illegal she should treat it as such. She was asking me what I thought of things like cocaine and heroin, and I told her those drugs were man made and not the same as marijuana. She asked me about how addictive it was, and i told her it wasn't..but most information would lead one to believe it to be addictive. Most of peers tried marijuana and realized what a lie it was that it was addicitive. Then they tried heavy drugs and many ended up in rehab for meth, or OTC's. sigh
She asked her dad some questions, and he wasn't ready to have such a talk. He told her that for now she should stay away from all illegal drugs and a day will come when marijuana would be legal to smoke and enjoy.
Her dad and I are both pro-marijuana. I have always figured if I could get stinking drunk from some strange brew I had to buy, Why couldn't I get high as a kite from something I grew in my garden???

Now at this time in my life I do not advocate the use of this plant for parents and those who drive or are irresponsible.

Denise


Denise

[ecstaticmama24]

I am all for legalizing, but by no means do I think it's just a plant... well, I'll take that back, if it's grown outdoors in Jamaica than yes, it's just a plant, but "rarely" do you get "just a plant" in North America. On the other hand, if and when it's legalized there would be so much gov't control in the production of it that it would be better, or rather, closer to "just a plant".


The only reason I think it should be legalized is because it's a freedom of rights thing, just like alcohol or smoking. I don't believe people should go to jail for using, although I do think drug dealers who push on kids should. I wouldn't choose legalization because I think it's healthy or something. I would still teach my kids the facts about mj just along side any drug including alcohol and nicotine. I'm not pro-legal because I think it's a great drug, only because people need to make their own decisions.

Clear as mud? LOL

[thismama]

My kid is 4 and we have had no discussion directly about mj, but I have told her that some rules are good rules because they keep people safe etc. and some rules are silly. That's the pre set up for the mj conversations, and many others as well...

[ecstaticmama24]

Originally Posted by cutekid

She asked me about how addictive it was, and i told her it wasn't..

Marijuana is addictive, and so is shopping believe it or not. It's on a per person basis. Process addiction releases chemicals in the brain like chemical/drug addiction does, even food addiction for that matter.

I currently live with someone who has to smoke a j maybe 4 times daily (I really don't know the #, but like cigarettes), and if he doesn't he's a mess, very irritable, and impossible to be around. It's dependency, full blown. He can't go one day without it. So addictive? Yes. Anything can be really.

[karina5]

Pro-pot/pro-legalization here. I have no idea yet what we will tell DS, but I already know it's going to be difficult for me to be even a tiny bit objective about the government seeing how they have scammed people with their bullcrap "war on drugs" and ruined so many lives. I have HUGE issues w/ what a crock it is that pot is illegal, and the methods the DEA will use.

[*Aimee*]

I dont smoke pot (it makes me very dizzy and sick to my stomach) I believe it should be legalized. I will be completely honest with my children about each and every drug. That being said I will push that it is illegal, and we need to obey laws. I would hate my son to go to jail over something like smoking weed. I will also teach that it can be dangerous. I have a good friend who smoked weed laced with PCP and has never been the same. If it were legal we could tax it! and make sure its from a safe source.

[UnschoolnMa]

I liked much of ShaggyDaddy's post.

I do not smoke pot, but I may one day. Who knows...I've got a lot years left ya know? (Well, I sure hope so anyway lol) Ds says maybe he'll make me special brownies someday.

The kids and I have talked often about drug use. My Dh used to smoke pot quite a bit back in the day. We want the kids to know our past experiences, and as much info as we can give or lead them to. I don't think it should be illegal. I also have beliefs about substances or activities that prevent me from being mindful. I drink alcohol in moderation so that I can stay in control of my thoughts and behaviors, and I know the kids understand that.

I've cautioned them to know what the consequences of smoking pot may be for them. I hope that they will consider legal, health and other issues in their decision. They have both said repeatedly that they won't even consider smoking pot until they are responsible for themselves legally. So far so good

[AlexisT]

Originally Posted by transformed

If you are pro-pot, what are you teaching your kids about the "drug" status?

(Also-state your position, some are pro-medical marijuana, some are pro-everything pot, etc....so many different views!)

I am pro-lealize marijuana...and so is my dh. But he still plans to teach the kids its a dangerous drug. And thats rediculous. LOL. IMO. I think I caught him offguard with the question. He hadnt ever thought about it.

But honestly, I dont have a better answer so I was just wondering about you all!:

Alcohol's perfectly legal and it can be a dangerous drug. I don't see a contradiction.

I would not approve of my teenaged kids (when I have them) smoking dope any more than I would approve of them drinking.