Why I’m Still Smoking Weed.

I’m Alcohol-Free, Not Fun-Free

A few weeks ago I made a list of nine positive things that have come from not drinking and number four stated how much more I enjoy weed without alcohol, but how that was another conversation for another week. Well, this is the week. We’re talking about weed. 

Why even use weed?

Because it feels good, obviously.

So what’s the difference between weed and alcohol if they're both substances?

I would argue that there are no benefits to alcohol, not even one. Weed, on the other hand, is a different story. I can think of three positives right off the top of my head:

1. Weed brings you back into the moment. I’m… a tightly wound person, shall we say. I have zero chill. I get frustrated by small things. But I smoke and I’m reminded that all we have is now. That minor inconvenience I melted down over doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. 

2. Weed helps you connect with people. There’s a vulnerability that happens – a perspective shift. You realize that the greatest gift you could ever give anyone is love and everything else is meaningless. What I mean is it’s easier to be nice when you’re stoned. 

3. Weed calls you out. This one doesn’t necessarily feel good (sometimes it’s scary AF actually), but it’s a positive nonetheless. Making choices that don’t align with your values? Not doing things you know you should be doing? Get high and watch the weed name off the things in your life that need changing.

The last one is a big deal, because Drinking Me™ could never really enjoy being stoned. I was perpetually anxious about everything, overthinking everything. Feeling guilty because I knew my drinking was beyond my control.

This small list doesn’t even begin to include the physical benefits of consuming weed compared to consuming alcohol. For starters there’s the whole no-hangover thing, which is yuuuge. I don’t need to go on and on about this, I know I’m preaching to the choir for the most part. I also know weed isn’t perfect, but let’s be real here: you can get addicted to literally anything if you try hard enough. Shit, I’m now addicted to La Croix’s now. However, I’m not neglecting work or being a terrible person like I was when I was drinking, and I think that’s the benchmark that should be used.

I proclaim with gusto that weed has helped me stay alcohol-free these past 69 days (nice) and there’s merit to that, especially when you combine it with the other plusses. Is it mind altering? Yeah. Is it healthier than smoking cigarettes? Also yes. You need to pick your battles. I would like to not smoke weed at some point. But that time is not right now – I can only do so much and I’m not going to beat myself up for doing something that ultimately helps me reach my goals. Maybe my next goal will be a year without smoking weed. I’ll cross that bridge if and when I get there, not before.