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top 200 commentsshow 500

[–]PLeb5 108 points109 points ago

smokin blunts was a daily routine since 13, a chubby nigga on the scene

Biggie agrees

[–]Zrze 20 points21 points ago

I used to have the tre' duce And the duce, duce in my bubble goose.

[–]mryanbrennan 10 points11 points ago

now i got the mack in my knapsack loungin back smokin sacks up in acts and sidekicks with my sidekicks rockin fly kicks

[–]Tha_Contender 9 points10 points ago

Honeys wanna chat, but all we wanna know is where's the party at? and can I bring my gat?

[–]i_like_to_reddits[S] 11 points12 points ago

If not, I hope I don't get shot, better through my vest on my chest these niggas is a mess

[–]Zrze 9 points10 points ago

It don't take nothin' but frontin' for me to start somethin Buggin and barkin at niggas like I was duck huntin

[–]Tha_Contender 9 points10 points ago

Dumbin' out, just me and my crew. Cause all we wanna do is...

[–]Spaghett18 9 points10 points ago

Party and Bullshit!!

[–]Gumby1108 539 points540 points ago

I say college is a good time to start, if any. A lot of stoners I know in high school live in perpetual fear of discovery by their parents, and that's hardly a healthy relationship to have with them.

I think it's better not to spoil something good like that; wait until you're away, and on your own. They shouldn't have to worry for you, and you shouldn't have to worry about them, it's not right.

[–]Evari 207 points208 points ago

There's a time and a place for everything, and it's called college.

[–]vip3rfang 39 points40 points ago

Chef ftw.

[–]MrUppercut 4 points5 points ago

I fucking lived by that and had an awesome time. My kids will definitely hear me say that until they graduate HS.

[–]darkroomdoor 53 points54 points ago

You'd think college would be a good time to start. Too bad a possession or distribution charge gets all of your financial aid revoked.

[–]Messier111 9 points10 points ago

First time I got pulled over I also got charged for possession (less than a gram) while driving home from college. I was denied a public defender and couldn't afford a lawyer. Luckily, I learned that my college offers legal consulting and lawyers to its students days before my court date. While I would never be able to afford my college's tuition of 60k/yr without financial aid, they did save my ass with this service.

tl;dr If you get shafted by the police and you're a college student, check to see if your college offers legal assistance.

[–]casperteh_ll 7 points8 points ago

60k/yr is a bit salty, if you ask me, in Scotland it's 1.8k/yr and the government pays it for you (for EU residents), shit is so cash

[–]Messier111 4 points5 points ago

Yeah I don't even understand why so many people from Eastern countries, particularly within Asia, transfer to my school. My physics lab partner transferred from China and the tales he tells tell of everything being more expensive in America.

[–]bpmead 106 points107 points ago

Yeah I unfortunately discovered my love of trees in high school but once I got to college I realized how much infinitely better it is not to have to hide your smoking. If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have thought it was worth it to smoke yet.

[–]olivinogreen 118 points119 points ago

There is nothing like burning a bowl in your living room and not having to worry about your parents coming in.

[–]bpmead 68 points69 points ago

Or if you live in Seattle you can even smoke a joint while you walk to the store :)

[–]benisanerd 27 points28 points ago

I was longboarding around the U District with my friend a couple weeks ago, and whenever we took a minute to look for a smoke spot, we found a couple other people chiefing delightedly in public! Probably an awful idea to smoke behind Dick's or on a staircase in a neighborhood, but oh well, worked out fine.

[–]bpmead 21 points22 points ago

It's pretty much legal here. There are zero possession prosecutions per year and I've smoked a joint on my front steps while 2 cops cruised by checking me out but I just nodded and they drove on.

[–]Themadhatter13 23 points24 points ago

This happens in MA too. I was talking to a couple of older smokers (all out of college) who happened to be sitting under a bridge about a 30 second walk from the town common. They had about an ounce a half between them, most of which had been sitting next to them on the park bench when they were up there. The cops had only stopped by to ask them (really nicely) to move down to the bridge area because there were kids there.

[–]ToksicK 15 points16 points ago

I live in Boston and I can confirm that cops here GENERALLY will not give you any trouble for trees unless you're a minor or there are children present. I had a cop once tell me my buds smelled good.

[–]momsdayprepper 4 points5 points ago

That's like, the highest honor one could receive on their weed. A cop even tells you it smells good...

[–]aetheradept 11 points12 points ago

Man, I got to get out of Alabama.

Backward ass state...

[–]GMan129 10 points11 points ago

Time to look at colleges in Washington....

[–]Rampito 9 points10 points ago

Oh my god, I wish it was like that here. I wish it was like that so badly.

[–]Ostmeistro 1 point2 points ago

Brain damage is legal everywhere

[–]BeneficiaryOtheDoubt 11 points12 points ago

Oh God Dick's burgers. I finally had one this month when I visited Seattle for a weekend. The last time I had one before that was at least 5 years ago.

[–]benisanerd 3 points4 points ago

2damn tasty, in my opinion. Deluxe with fries and shake, flavor dependent on mood.

[–]BeneficiaryOtheDoubt 4 points5 points ago

The fries weren't as good as I remembered them. Don't get me wrong, they were good, I just remembered them being obscenely greasy (in a good way) as a kid. I've been sort of conditioned to liking In-N-Outs fries more.

If I could get some right now I'd get 2 deluxes.

[–]KibbzNbitz 23 points24 points ago

Yes! I'm glad that I started in college.

My parents were really strict during my early years of high school, they've threatened to beat/disown me multiple times if I was ever found with any sort of drugs. They really did use to hit me (Asians, watcha gonna do rite?), so as a kid, I thought they would most likely disown me too.

Trying to hide something like weed with those sorta parents would have been disastrous. Luckily my parents changed due to being white washed.

The more time we spent in America, the lazier and less Asian my parents got. Since the only thing they know about weed is from American movies, they think that it's just some normal teen thing, so they really didn't care that I smoked when they eventually found it in my apartment.

[–]Ostmeistro 22 points23 points ago

This is too specific for a. USA and b. people's personal maturity.

To me it seems as if very few commenters and voters understand that the problem is that the kids get brain damage if the brain is not developed. See it is not about an exact age. It is also not about maturity. It's about the brain. Permanent. Brain. Damage. Almost no ents seem educated.. it disturbs me somewhat.

[–]wazawana 10 points11 points ago

Just to input with a brief summary of my story: I started smoking at the end of 8th grade, and regularly smoked throughout 9th and the beginning of 10th. I'm 16 now, and I've cut down quite a bit, and plan to quit cold turkey quite soon. Smoking weed that early and that often (I'd say 500 times or so) is probably one of the biggest mistakes I've made in my life. It permanently ruined my thought process; my imagination is weak and warped: I can't dream anymore, and my ability to concentrate is very low. I get intrusive thoughts, which are a symptom of schizophrenia. I did damage to my brain, bad. I fucked it right up. I hope with all my heart I can get out of this spiritual slump that this drug dragged mw into. When I smoked weed the first few times, it was fun; all funny thoughts and crazy experiences. But gradually it became a dampener of the sober mind. I regret it so fucking much. Marijuana isn't good for everyone. I just wanted to say that.

[–]Contron 2 points3 points ago

You will get yr dreams back, don't worry.

[–]Claypool2112 6 points7 points ago

If your argument here is to not smoke until your brain stops developing, then no one should smoke until their late 20s. Your brain is still developing into your mid 20s. Also, please show me the study that has been done that proves it causes brain damage. By no means am I saying that someone who is 12 years old should be smoking. I agree with the original comment that you should wait till college (around 18/19), but from my knowledge, there is no proof that marijuana causes brain damage.

EDIT: Spelling

[–]ariz2797 2 points3 points ago

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1873768/posts There is evidence that marijuana can cause brain damage in adolescents. It definitely is not proof, but it points in that direction. My hypothesis on why it causes brain damage, in a developing brain at earlier stages, is that an adolescent doesn't really have their own views on society and how the world works and they leech off of their parents views until they are old enough to feel independent (18/19). Since marijuana can really impact the way you think on things, it isn't right to alter the way you are thinking when you haven't come up with many ideas/views of your own.

edit: here is a better trial conducted about marijuana impairing the adolescent mind http://dukespace.lib.duke.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/10161/1308/D_Moore_Nicole_a_200908.pdf?sequence=1

[–]xDUngeoNMastERx 11 points12 points ago

you mentioned parents and i think this is why i really believe you shouldn't start smoking until you're in your own place. if you smoke weed in your parents home without them asking you are pretty much telling the people who love you the most in the world that they can go fuck off because you'll do whatever you want wherever you want and if they don't like it tough. I don't mean to come over all high and mighty but we need to respect other people's possessions and feelings. Smoking in someone else house (and believe me, unless you are paying rent, your parents' house is not yours, you just live there) without their permission is massively disrespectful.

[–]casperteh_ll 8 points9 points ago

and that is why you fucking go outside, isn't it?

[–]pinetreeforrest 5 points6 points ago

I smoked occasionally in high school but actually stopped when I went to college. I'm so happy I did. After one year I got an internship with a great company and guess what, hair follicle drug test. One poor guy got sent back home because he had smoked some weed 2 months earlier. Imagine having to tell your family why you're not actually moving away to start an awesome paid internship?

Smoking in college is fine but not if you're looking for work in the professional world.

[–]Boyblunder 5 points6 points ago

What kind of company does hair follicle tests on their interns?

Did you get an internship at NASA or something?

[–]pinetreeforrest 2 points3 points ago

BMW Manufacturing does. It's a great place to work though.

[–]DrewMac 3 points4 points ago

You sound like a dick. I'm looking for work in the "professional world".. Hell, I've worked in the professional world. Just be smart about it, and I've never even heard of a company wasting the money to administer hair tests before you even begin working..

[–]pinetreeforrest 2 points3 points ago

I don't think I'm a dick, man. A lot of companies drug test prior to hiring, maybe we have different definitions of professional. BMW was the one I worked for.

[–]ALPHAMENSCH 112 points113 points ago

Holy fuck is everyone on /r/trees 14?

[–]warrenraaff 40 points41 points ago

yeah what the fuck is the average age of this place. I am 25 and I feel like a wise old man :/

[–]gergsie 29 points30 points ago

Shit, I just turned 40; I feel ancient. Last night I looked in the mirror and realized that the days of random college kids randomly offering to smoke me up are probably over. Made me sad.

[–]Luam 23 points24 points ago

Naw man, I'm 20 and I'd pass you a joint no doubt

[–]i_cant_fap_to_that 15 points16 points ago

42 here, you young'in

[–]imthehacker 8 points9 points ago

420 here, all of you are infants!

[–]PliskinSnake 6 points7 points ago

Haha don't feel bad man, I'm 23 and I smoke with my dad and his friends and they are like 40-42. Honestly they are more fun to smoke with than my age friends some times.

[–]ThousandArmy 2 points3 points ago

Your dad was 17 when you were born?

[–]mchugho 13 points14 points ago

/r/eldertrees my friend....

[–]eroticbassoon 20 points21 points ago

There goes the neighbourhood..

[–]imthehacker 1 point2 points ago

unfortunately that place is full of little kids too

[–]KiraEatsKids 271 points272 points ago

I'm 15 and have only smoked twice. Reason being is my mom is a neurophysiologist and has constantly told me how bad marijuana is for the un-developed brain. Apparently when you're a teenager, your prefrontal cortex(part of the brain that is responsible for decision making) and something in marijuana(THC I think) conflicts with that development. Your brain is believed to stop developing around mid 20's but it's not that bad if you start smoking weed at around 17/18 which is when I'll start smoking heavily(or at least more).

[–]lonequid 136 points137 points ago

This is the correct answer. Everyone saying young people aren't physically ready for it don't realize that you're not really physically ready for it until you're about 24-25. I agree that people very young shouldn't be smoking. I also feel that while you might not be fully physically ready for it, 17-18 is the age that you're able to start driving and voting, so you're able to make responsible decisions with mind altering substances.

[–]JohnixHD 75 points76 points ago

Shit, if only they only thought me the facts instead of that propaganda bullshit.

[–]tdrules 47 points48 points ago

a lot of pro-legalisation people sweep this sort of stuff under the rug because they think it might get in the way of their agenda. In reality no legislation should be made without all facts on the table

[–]Kempiet 18 points19 points ago

I'm 25, I started vaping weed and doing it more consistently last year, I would say it's a better time to start.

[–]Gremlinskaffa 7 points8 points ago

That's one thing I was thinking about, vaping more, less joints.. Only just seems so weird, sucking a bag. Plus I just love to smoke a joint over a full movie, toking up on the right moments.. :)

[–]Kempiet 6 points7 points ago

I smoked blunts last year, but it fucked with my lungs really badly, I would say vaporising is so much better and noticeably healthier for your lungs, I still take T-Breaks from time to time.

I'm now looking into tinctures. But you're definitely right, nothing like a big doobie for a movie. :)

[–]BadThoughtProcess 3 points4 points ago

Blunts are just murder on my lungs. Those things make me feel like I gotta wash my face and brush my teeth.

[–]Canarka 5 points6 points ago

You don't have to "suck a bag". I use a v-tower and I use the whip attachment. What's great is you're not wasting a ton of weed when it is not in use and you can go up to it and get another toke whenever you want (as long as you didnt cash the bowl of course). Joints are too stinky and waste a TON of pot.

Also, re-lighting a joint makes it taste all kinds of nasty. You're doing it wrong my friend ;)

[–]Gremlinskaffa 3 points4 points ago

Thank you for your kindness, my Lord. Once, I shall conquer this magical tower of mystery and these secret wonders of bagless vaporizing will be in our very hands!

[–]nats15 4 points5 points ago

If you're going to smoke weed, be old enough to live on your own, and be capable of supporting your self.

[–]Gregsbe 48 points49 points ago

This. I feel like this isn't stressed enough in this Trees. There are countless amounts of times I've seen 14/15 year old kids bragging to each other about how much they smoke, and no one even tries to tell them what they are doing to themselves.

[–]Ganja94 48 points49 points ago

You can thank prohibition for that.

[–]Gremlinskaffa 11 points12 points ago

Smoking weed since age 12, living in Amsterdam. Turned out to be just fine.

[–]brutenta 34 points35 points ago

Well we will never know how you would have turned out if you waited with smoking trees.

[–]schrodingersgoldfish 15 points16 points ago

and I'll never know how I would have turned out had I chosen not to.

You just can't ever know, would I be me? am I ok with that? If i could change to that me and be better would I do it? would that kill the current me? With every decision I make I could be killing thousands of possible future mes...

woah

[–]vanillaworkaccount 2 points3 points ago

Uh if you had chosen not to wait to smoke weed the present reality would be happening. Or are you saying you have no idea what's going on?

[–]maddenmadman 2 points3 points ago

Don't get me wrong, I am not against legalisation. But prohibition doesn't directly translate to kids that marijuana is not bad for you in any way. If anything I grew up around a lot of teenagers who refused to try it because they believed it was "evil" simply because the law told them so. Now that I think about it, maybe that was a good thing because they wouldn't see their misinformation until their brains were fully developed.

[–]KikiCVIII 21 points22 points ago

You're a smart kid. I'll smoke you out in three years.

[–]irvinestrangler 18 points19 points ago

And then fuck him?

[–]xXSmokeBlunts420Xx 20 points21 points ago

He'll take him out to dinner first.

[–]NoKidsFourDogs 6 points7 points ago

I did a shitty 45 minute talk on the adolescent brain in grad school and I know that the part about the development of the brain not being complete until the early 20s is true. (not questioning your mom but rather agreeing with you) Our neural networks have several growth spurts just like we have height growth spurts and one area that is the last to develop is the "second thought" center in the prefrontal cortex. This is the part of our brain that questions our impulses. There is also a pruning effect that occurs during this time in which greatly used connection are enhanced and less often used pathways are deprioritized by way of increasing and decreasing myelin along those pathways. If I recall this explains why our minds become less pliable in terms of learning things like languages as we age.

The big takeaways that I got from this were

  1. Kinda fucking nice for the government that we recruit for the army at 18 when the self preservation parts of our brains have not fully developed.

  2. Doing drugs at this time can create permanent changes in our brain by favoring some pathways and not others.

  3. We are susceptible to forming habits during our adolescence because of the growth spurts.

This is done off memory in a subject I haven't touched in 10 years so please correct me if you know I'm wrong but I was smoking at the time (had to quit in residency) and I remember thinking that this shit was crazy. It left an impression.

[–]jglee1236 5 points6 points ago

ALL YOU YOUNGINS: LISTEN TO THIS YOUNGIN.

[–]Octavarium_ 0 points1 point ago

I've always thought this. I had never smoked until I was 20 when I went to university. My friend started smoking when he was about 13 and now he forgets everything midsentence and can't seem to process thoughts. Thanks for confirming.

[–]ADD_attack 4 points5 points ago

I'm 16 and naturally do this. Every body thinks I smoke a lot. To quote one student: " I'll eat my shoe If ADD_Attack doesn't smoke weed." I think I'll start when I'm around 20, but even then I'll only vape.

[–]Octavarium_ 5 points6 points ago

I hope he was true to his bond and ate his shoe.

[–]R3Mx 5 points6 points ago

This is absolutely correct. I remember when I posted something like this, I was down voted into oblivion because no one believed me.

[–]CatAttacker 625 points626 points ago

Under 18, i agree with the legal smoking age, for tobacco and trees. when your that young that is not something you need to be getting into yet.

[–]Territomauvais 28 points29 points ago

My personal opinion is that you shouldn't smoke until you're at least 17 or 18.

But I feel, with informed parents and a matured (mentally) child, the ones should be on the parents to decide whether or not their child should smoke before the legal age. Never below 15, though; and I don't even like that idea.

A developing body and mind can wait to smoke pot for the rest of their lives. I might let my children try it at 16 or 17 a few times, but I would not allow them to smoke on their own until 18-21. I wouldn't be an advocate, either, I'd just let them know that I smoke and weigh the objectively true positives and negatives of ingesting.

[–]AaronToro 6 points7 points ago

I smoked once when I was 15, and not again until I was 17. But I quit for my job and my girlfriend

[–]LFC_sandiego 2 points3 points ago

girlfiend got you whipped

[–]Funbunion 2 points3 points ago

If you let them try it, and then don't let them have any more, they might use their own means to get some, and smoke it in secret, and then they might get caught. Hopefully weed will be legalized by the time my kids are around that age, though.

[–]xm1337 30 points31 points ago

Thank you, I came here to post "TWELVE?! What are you 16?"

[–]Vogey 398 points399 points ago

I honestly think 21 should be the age for smoking weed. I know i'll be downvoted into oblivion for this, but i don't think it's something that's good for a still maturing brain.

[–]clooneytoons 26 points27 points ago

I started 20 (22 soon) and I think I'm happy I didn't start earlier.

[–]mjbeidleman 88 points89 points ago

My age is bad and I should feel bad :(

[–]pegothejerk 32 points33 points ago

If you're not struggling, then don't feel bad. If you're having problems juggling things, take a break, see what happens.

[–]Murkin_erday 11 points12 points ago

I started when I was 18 and I think if I had to wait it prob would've benefitted me.

[–]bfv13 39 points40 points ago

The human brain doesn't fully mature until 26-27, so I guess we're all screwed...

[–]Quintuss 10 points11 points ago

I'm just about to turn into a mature adult. Fancy that.

[–]ctzl 0 points1 point ago

Huh? People used to die at 30. How is this even possible?

[–]brakedust 2 points3 points ago

Most people never fully mature. True story.

[–]nordpol 96 points97 points ago

strong upvoting

[–]yourcoolredditbuddy 179 points180 points ago

Sorry man, I think 21 is too high for alcohol, i believe it's too high for smoking weed.

[–]MorganTheCreator 176 points177 points ago

The age limit: the only time stoners say “too high”

[–]MrGMinor 63 points64 points ago

One time I got "too high." Puke.

[–]DIDNT_GET_SARCASM 16 points17 points ago

Did you actually puke? I have never seen anyone else puke but I always puked when I smoked. I wouldn't be drinking or doing any other drugs but I would always get way to fucked up. I had to quit.

[–]rabbit_trousers 25 points26 points ago

Not sure if serious or just username?

[–]Mickey_oNeal 56 points57 points ago

Totally agree. If we're old enough to kill and die in a war we might not agree with for our country, we should be old enough to decide whether or not we should drink or smoke.

[–]infrared_blackbody 13 points14 points ago

Why not be for an increase in age to fight in a war? Instead it seems like this stance which is commonly taken serves the stoner more than the soldier. Our brains are maturing until around 21.

[–]whitehat511 22 points23 points ago

Because many people join the army right out of high school so that they can pay for college.

[–]Dkid 5 points6 points ago

The way things work with how they get recruits straight out of high school would be totally fucked up if they changed the age to 21. It'd never happen.

[–]HeyCarpy 15 points16 points ago

19 is the age for alcohol in my province and I think that's more than reasonable.

You should not be getting intoxicated until you are an adult. Period.

[–]Fimbultyr 44 points45 points ago

Is one drink for a sixteen year old that bad? My parents allowed it. And since it wasn't some forbidden fruit, I didn't act like a dumbass once I was at college and had whole bottles to myself, unlike all the people whose parents never let them touch a drop. Let people start lightly when they're young, so they realize it's not a big deal.

[–]aetheradept 25 points26 points ago

Well, another thing. It's not like you're going to stop them if they really want to. I started drinking, and smoking in 9th grade and had my phase. Now I drink just to loosen up a little bit. I never get wasted anymore. When I was younger, getting drunk was, "cool", so I would try to get as drunk as I could. I'm so glad I'm past that. I haven't been sick in probably 5 years of partying, and I usually get pretty drunk. I just learned my limit, and felt my way through.

I smoked weed, got drunk, ate mushrooms, and did cocaine in high school. I took pills, and drank cough syrup. I think I became a pretty well adjusted person. I still do drugs, but I'm usually sober 9 out of 10 days every week. I think it has lots to do with your mindset. Some people would want to take drugs in school so they seemed cool, but others just like having fun. I think some people do it for an image.

I have a friend who buys suboxone, "which doesn't bring you up or anything." He takes it anyways even though it makes you feel like shit. He purposely got strung out on them just so he could have this image. It's really sad. It's like the guy who goes to a party, and talks shit the whole time. They can't loosen up, so they can't have a good time.

I think there shouldn't be an age limit on anything. I think the idea of protecting kids from things is just stupid. People forget that most people do drugs as a rite of manhood. Most people get drunk to prove their manhood, on a certain level anyways. It's like hiding a child from violet television, or "adult" themed things. You're trying to separate one from reality.

The world is a violent place full of drugs, danger, alcohol, dirty women, and scheming politicians. What do we do? We try to hide someone from it so they can have some innocence. We hold a veil over their eyes, and just kick them into the world with a superficial understanding of it.

Just because you don't like the way the world is doesn't mean it going away. It's still there, and it's still going to affect you, and your kids. What can you do? You can teach them to think, to have common sense, to question the motives of others. You can teach him to be careful what he believes in, and to not run away from himself. You could teach him to be strong, and diligent. You could teach him to be humble, and perceptive. What will you do? Will you hold a false world over your childs eyes, or will you face him with the truth?

[–]biiaru 34 points35 points ago

9 out of 10 days every week

them's some long weeks you got there

[–]HeyCarpy 0 points1 point ago

I was in the same boat as you. My parents raised me right, and while now I might go through more beer than I probably should, it doesn't interfere with any aspect of my life.

But the key is parental presence, like you said. And the big difference here is that we're talking about a drink. Marijuana is different than alcohol in this aspect because you're "under the influence" a lot quicker and easier than when you consume a beer or a glass of wine, for example. I think for that reason alone it needs to be kept away from kids.

[–]jesus_swept 13 points14 points ago

Personally I believe that maturity is relative. Obviously I don't know the physical effects marijuana would have on a still-developing brain, but emotional maturity is something that is wholly dependent of the individual, according to how that person was raised, how he or she manages personal relationships, and so on. A single age that puts a hypothetical ruler in the ground and says "anyone taller than this" is far too broad of a generalization. It's as if to say this person was immature yesterday, but today they're an adult.

For example, some parents raise their children around alcohol in a responsible manner. The adults will have wine with their dinner, and maybe as adolescents, if the child asked, they were allowed to have a sip. The parents weren't alcoholics, they didn't abuse alcohol, and so the children grew up to respect it. This way, when the children became teenagers, alcohol wasn't so much of a taboo for them.

I can imagine this same analogy can even be made with pot, with responsible parents.

The only reason the problem of irresponsible pothead teenagers exists today is because pot is still treated as a forbidden thing, where doing it could get you in trouble, so that makes it cool. I guess what I'm trying to say is in a utopian future, the idea of kids smoking weed won't be a problem.

edit: wording

[–]ihatenamingshit 55 points56 points ago

21, really? If you're old enough to vote in elections or kill for the army... you're old enough to make your own damn decision what you put in your body.

[–]AistoB 66 points67 points ago

Making the decision isn't the problem here bro, it's a matter of biology.

[–]HomelessHamSandwich 45 points46 points ago

So it's up to the government to tell me what's good for me? Fuck that. An adult is an adult. If you can enter binding legal agreements, take a bullet for your county, own guns, vote, hold a full-time job and kill your lungs with tobacco at 18, who the fuck has the right to tell you what else you can and can't put in your body?

I disagree with the 21 age limit for precisely that reason, including alcohol. If an 18 year old cant make those decisions, then you should be a minor until 21. Otherwise, an adult should not have to wait to finish gaining his/her right to control their body.

[–]ChubbyWordsmith 8 points9 points ago

I agree, if you're old enough to be considered able to make adult decisions, you should be old enough to decide whether to smoke trees. But you should also be made aware of the biological impact it may have.

Remember, studies that show some kind of link (although it's almost impossible to prove cause and effect) between mental health and trees all show that that link occurs far more often in people who start younger.

[–]infrared_blackbody 5 points6 points ago

You're against the government telling you what's good for you but you seem fine with them telling you exactly when you become an adult, since you based your argument off of it. The age for army and age of adulthood are arbitrary as defined currently. Age for brain maturation is science. I am of he mind that no war fighting or voting or smoking should be done until around 20-21.

[–]HomelessHamSandwich 2 points3 points ago

While the government shouldn't be able to tell me what I can put in my body as an adult, they have the power to decide the legal age of adulthood. That's a legitimate power it holds, and while it is arbitrary, we have to draw the line in the sand somewhere. If it's 18, then you're a full adult at 18. If it's 21, it's 21. Age limits shouldn't apply to responsible adults, regardless of age. Irresponsible adults will always exist at any age, and if it's a matter of biology (which it's not), then tobacco should never be legal.

[–]infrared_blackbody 2 points3 points ago

I see where you're coming from and I'd rather no get into a legalization debate over something like tobacco. But if the government can tell you when you're an adult and you say people can do as they like as adults, then the government is telling you when you can start doing drugs, which you seem to be against.

[–]beaulieu6 3 points4 points ago

If you allow for that argument there will always be someone saying its harmful to anyone. Just look at the white house's justification for keeping it criminalized. The point is that the government oversteps a boundary when they make that decision for informed adults instead of allowing them to decide for themselves.

[–]thepensivepoet 27 points28 points ago

Just compare all of the people you know that smoked in junior high to all of the people you know that didn't start smoking until/after college.

Shit's not that complicated.

EDIT : For extra fun try and think of anyone you know that smoked in junior high and even went to college (and finished).

Also TIL how to really piss off a bunch of adolescent stoners. :)

[–]Jipalio 16 points17 points ago

Biggest stoner I ever met in my life had 100% average for all semesters in grade 10,11, and 12. He now attends University of Western Ontario.

[–]chase17 4 points5 points ago

I agree with 21, however nobody is going to wait that long.

[–]mattoattacko 7 points8 points ago

I could have sworn I saw a study posted here recently that said exactly that. Something about marijuana use causing the brain to not grow properly in teenagers. I'll try find it tomorrow or maybe someone can post it before me.

[–]SirHenryMorgan 3 points4 points ago

Super serious weed smoker since 15..not so much anymore. This explains a lot.

[–]damastaa 2 points3 points ago

Shiet. Ive been smoking since i was 14. Still feels good man

[–]wtfmanquestionmark 1 point2 points ago

I was 21 the first time I smoked.

[–]Kaydye 1 point2 points ago

I was 23 and I have to say I am glad I didnt do it earlier. While I enjoy being high from time to time currently, I can see how it really could have messed with my motivation and decision making in high school and college. Now I have an awesome job where I make bank and can afford the good stuff :)

[–]FearTheHump 4 points5 points ago

Fuck, I'm 18 and now I feel bad :(

[–]phqu88 7 points8 points ago

I agree. While a lot of ents don't want to admit it, the brain is still developing even into the early 20's. As a Cannabis user I feel that it should be regulated exactly like alcohol, 21 or older. Sorry guys.

[–]TiadTheHero 2 points3 points ago

Your brain doesn't stop developing until around age 25-26. As a cannabis user, do you feel it should be regulated to prevent use before the brain has finished its development?

[–]pippaxdyllan 16 points17 points ago

My little sisters friend (14) smokes the ganja, supplied by her dad, to be honest I was horrified when I found out, and the thought of my 14 year old sister smoking made me sad.. I started smoking trees at 16 - back then 16 was the legal age to buy tobacco.

[–]YogurtShaker 1 point2 points ago

Agreed.

[–]wildfire2k5 131 points132 points ago

Under 12?! Are you fucking kidding me?! That is not acceptable. 18 should be the age you are if you are a consistent smoker. I know people try it young (myself at 14) but I didn't start smoking heavily until I was 17.5. Keep in school kids, and dont smoke pot too young.

[–]ilovecake123420 87 points88 points ago

17.5 dude

[–]WillyVWade 64 points65 points ago

If she insists on telling you she's 'X.Y', she's too young for you, bro.

[–]downagoldenroad 61 points62 points ago

i thought you were talking about chromosomes i was like...what

[–]JohnixHD 11 points12 points ago

glad i wasnt the only one.

[–]zebumps 25 points26 points ago

If her age is on the clock, she is too young for the cock.

[–]vip3rfang 13 points14 points ago

My clock has up to 60 on it...

Damnit. COUGAR LIIIIFE.

[–]ratajewie 15 points16 points ago

Here's my rule. If she doesn't know who loves orange soda, she's too young for you bro.

[–]lemonbowl 7 points8 points ago

Even more so if she tells you she's 'X.X'

[–]tyrell404 15 points16 points ago

If shes old enough to pee she's old enough for me. [5]

[–]angrysamoanstl 1 point2 points ago

HAHAHAA I thought the same thing.

[–]eifersucht12a 9 points10 points ago

17.5? Well you're a goddamn filthy hypocrite. Everybody knows those six theoretical months in your hypothetical and subjective opinion on what is appropriate make a night and day difference

lolthisishowlegalageswork

[–]zParasiite 75 points76 points ago

Level 16 junor in high school is when I started is that appropriate? [6]

Edit: changed level to age

Edit: changed age back to level because its funnier

[–]gunnersaur 67 points68 points ago

you high nigga

[–]thedudewashere 25 points26 points ago

yes. [8]

[–]Mr_Rawrr 7 points8 points ago

And there's the first thing today that made me audibly laugh. Kudos.

[–]snoogins1 2 points3 points ago

Dude.

[–]snoogins1 2 points3 points ago

M8.

[–]Taterhater540 12 points13 points ago

I'm sorry, call me old-fashioned, but I don't think any kid under 16 at the least should be smoking. I don't know what it is, it just doesn't seem kosher.

[–]xDUngeoNMastERx 20 points21 points ago

under 18. drugs are for adults. i'm sorry to say this but minors who smoke hurt the legalization movement. drugs and alcohol are for adults and if you are not one i'm sorry but you should not be using.

[–]gonzowisdom 5 points6 points ago

Prohibition is the main reason why young people smoke. It's way easier to have a criminal sell you weed, than it is to talk an adult into buying you booze from the store.

[–]tgeezy 23 points24 points ago

+1 to 18 and over. I'm 22 and only started smoking on a regular basis this year

[–]cky12qxz 21 points22 points ago

i started when i was 3

[–]nessticles 7 points8 points ago

D00D u r 2 cray

[–]duffman070 15 points16 points ago

12 wtf. Realistically nobody should start under 16.

[–]AnonCV23 7 points8 points ago

I, being 16, agree. I think 18 and out of the house is a good age to smoke regularly. I smoked my first bowl at 13 but realized what I was doing and only started up again this year. I don't smoke regularly, maybe twice a month or with some good friends in the mountains. I don't want to have weed get in the way of school and my family at this young of an age.

[–]B0rf 3 points4 points ago

I feel like as long as you are responsible enough to know when to stop/cut back at 16 you're fine. I recently went from smoking like 5 bowls a day during the summer to maybe a small one at night if I can't sleep and only on the weekends because I don't want my memory to be awful during the school year. Its all about being responsible and putting important things like family,friends, work, and school and things like that before smoking.

[–]dat_wud_be_gud 4 points5 points ago

God, im a senior in high school and you guys are making me feel depressed that i smoke trees haha...i try to just smoke on weekends though 3.6 GPA i would say that trees doesn't effect my school.

[–]SecretNerdBrah 13 points14 points ago

12? What the fuck.

[–]TheInternetBrit 7 points8 points ago

It's funny how this subreddit is complaining about children, when probably half the users are under 18..,

[–]HellbornElfchild 3 points4 points ago

24 here, started when I was 12.

Strange to think I've been smoking for half of my entire life!

Should I have waited? Probably, but I don't think I've turned out any worse because of it.

However I know plenty of other people who HAVE turned out much worse because of it.

In conclusion I agree with this sentiment

Do as I say, not as I do?

[–]Boner4Stoners 4 points5 points ago

12 is still fucking young as fuck.

[–]BeeRayDee 23 points24 points ago

I think it depends on your maturity, which seems to normally be around 14-16. But I do approve of punishing children with spray bottles.

[–]Gregsbe 19 points20 points ago

But it doesn't depend on maturity. Marijuana can have adverse effects on underdeveloped brains and to regularly smoke at all before the age of 18 is putting yourself at risk.

[–]BeeRayDee 0 points1 point ago

So, the fact that I started smoking weed at 15 makes me a bad person?

[–]eatsTheWaffles 6 points7 points ago

Like 6 months ago the exact same conversation was brought up and it went the completely other way. As in, " Yeah bro! Smoke as long as you'r responsible." Way to be consistent reddit.

[–]deviant_devices 7 points8 points ago

Responsible. 12 years old. Riiiigghhhhht.

[–]brof313 24 points25 points ago

Under 14 dude. But seriously. I agree

[–]xKazimirx 7 points8 points ago

I started smoking in the summer before my first year of high school, I was 14 at the time. I knew that it can be bad for the development of the brain, but I loved the effects of it, so I still toked, only 2-3 times a month though. As I got older I steadily started smoking more, a fifteen it was probably around ten times a month, at sixteen it was probably 1-2 times a week, I'm now 17 and smoke maybe 3-4 times a week. I haven't noticed any negative effects from starting to toke when I was so young, unless having a higher tolerance than the friends I toke with, that is, if you count that as a minus.
I told my older brother a couple days before the first time I was supposed to toke, however, he interuppted me one night while I was reading and took me out with a friend to get me high for my first time, to prepare me for the experience so I wouldn't be a complete fool while with my friends, and so if anything bad happened I'd be with someone I could trust. Me and him toked in secret for a while, my parents already knew he smoked, but probably wouldn't have approved of me doing it since I was so young. A couple months after I turned 15 I told my dad, who also happened to enjoy marijuana, and he told me that he didn't condone or condemn me smoking, merely that he tolerated it for he was in no place to punish me for it. Since then, me and my brother, and until about a year and a half ago, my brother's friends have regularly toked together. About a year and a half ago I got two of my closest friends high for their first time, and we have toked together regularly too. I have yet to smoke with my dad, though.
Anyways, that's my story, and I have no idea why I wrote it in this thread. I must've gotten off topic or sidetracked or something somewhere. But, by the time I noticed it I had already written most of this, so I didn't want to delete it.

[–]pyrusmurdoch 14 points15 points ago

Wait so 12 is a fine age to start recreational drug use? What the actual fuck is wrong with you people?

[–]Jillers420 4 points5 points ago

But they can have all the edibles they want; have fun you little rascals!

[–]PinkyENT 5 points6 points ago

I feel like you get to enjoy it more when your 18 too. Don't have to worry about getting caught by the parents your able to buy anything at a smoke shop don't have to stress so much on trying to hide it, it just seems more... Relaxed. But then agian I'm no one to judge anyone [6]

[–]Higgs_deGrasse_Boson 2 points3 points ago

What show is this?

[–]KIEL-D01 7 points8 points ago

Modern family!

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]SwagSwaggerson 2 points3 points ago

I think it should be of you are under 14, don't smoke weed. My little sister had a 12 year old fat friend who used to brag about how she's smoked 'marijuanas' and eventually she started posting her smoking (and it looked outright disgusting) on instagram... Merica'

[–]detailed_fred 1 point2 points ago

I started at 19. Anyone who says they smoked at 15 makes me...just...cringe.

[–]Garenzo 0 points1 point ago

I'm glad I never touched the stuff until recently (earlier this year, I'm 24). For the longest time when I first started, I was mad at the school system and my parents for telling me about all the "bad stuff" that weed does, all the negative stereotypes about it. I wished I had been smoking ever since I was a teenager.

Over the past few months of researching and learning more about it, I've come to the realization it was better that I had only just now started. I have Asperger's Syndrome, and thinking back, I would have been way to immature about it and wouldn't have handled it properly. Probably would have gotten myself and/or others in a lot of trouble and fucked up my life in the long run. Admittedly, starting a few years earlier would have been nice, but I'm happy with what I got now.

[–]corycannabis 0 points1 point ago

Dabs = no smell weed = dank smell. Therefore, smoke a dab of bho and your parents won't be able to smell it kids!

[–]pedophilepenis 2 points3 points ago

how about 16? 18 would probably be better honestly. kids cant respect the herb man!

[–]upupandaway420 2 points3 points ago

12 is even a bit too young. I think maybe 16, that way you can get a job and buy them with your own money rather than usining your parentsd money,

[–]akmalhot 2 points3 points ago

The later you start, the better it will be for your brain development. A possible - and I stress the word possible - link between early use and certain cognitive functions related to executive function and attention. There are numerous studies that demonstrate this, one cites a difference between early and late onset smoking (before the age of 16 or after).

"There were no differences in IQ between the three groups. However, the early-onset group performed significantly worse than the late-onset group and the control group on tasks which tested their sustained attention, impulse control and executive functioning..."

However this is not to say that at 16 it will have no effect. "...Teen brains are only about 80% developed and don't fully mature until their mid-20s..."

"...THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM SHOWS FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY FROM EARLY STAGES OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT: it plays an important role in fundamental developmental processes such as cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation, thus shaping brain organization....[affected by use] in adolescent cannabis users during neural maturation..."

"...Early-onset chronic cannabis users exhibited poorer cognitive performance than controls and late-onset users in executive functioning. Chronic cannabis use, when started before age 15, may have more deleterious effects on neurocognitive functioning. The results of these studies are preliminary and there are errors with the data (ie in 1 study ~%40 of the early onset heavy users also used alcohol regularly, small sample sizes etc)..."

There is much room for improvement in future studies, however knowing as much about smoking before you enjoy yourself is important. Is it possible early smoking will diminish certain cognitive functions - absolutely. Will smoking early ruin your future - most likely only if you get busted or abuse it. The line between use and abuse is different for everyone.

source source Other sources include stronger evidence found through PubMed

note: the aforementioned articles draw upon studies in which are no way are of a high level of evidence and do not warrant drawing definitive conclusions. Also it is unknown if the ages that separate the early and late groups were predetermined or based on the data -> is it really the age of 16 that makes the difference?

tl:dr - possible link between early use and impaired brain development in certain cognitive functions.

[–]Cptnwalrus 0 points1 point ago

16.

[–]asldjflsfdsawe 1 point2 points ago

If you are under 18*

[–]eXX0n 5 points6 points ago

Under 18!

[–]Devout 2 points3 points ago

Lmao.

"Seriously. If you're under 12. Don't smoke trees."

~ A 13 year old

[–]Lion-King 2 points3 points ago

I COULD NOT agree more

[–]bigniggamcthugnasty 3 points4 points ago

Christ, I was a daily smoker at 14. I feel like a problem child now.

[–]CGeeryProjected 2 points3 points ago

Seriously, If you're under twelve and you live in an area where cannabis grows naturally and your culture supports you consuming cannabis, do so if you wish. IF YOU LIVE IN THE U.S.A. AND YOU ARE UNDER TWELVE... DON'T SMOKE TREES.

[–]jking000 2 points3 points ago

Everyone in this thread is just throwing around ages they think are an acceptable time to start smoking without any justifiable warrants. Since trees are illegal regardless, I don't know why 18 matters. Also, lets not assume everyone develops at the same rate.

My opinion is that it is best to wait until the early to mid twenties as that's when the brain is usually developed enough to not be seriously damaged by regular smoking. That being said, I first smoked when I was 10 and smoked probably a dozen times before I became a teenager. I started smoking regularly around the age of 16 and after 6 years of daily smoking, began to realize the harm I had caused myself so I quit for a little while. Now, at the age of 26, if I could go do it again, I would try to wait until at least my early twenties to start smoking regularly. All you younger (hell, I'm still 'young') ents please exercise caution. You only have one brain.

[–]Ostmeistro 1 point2 points ago

Very well said. Helping youngsters avoid brain damage is worth the effort, even if it seems like most kids here respond with threats maybe some can be reached :)

[–]RonyG 6 points7 points ago

I started at 15, felt like a pretty good age.

[–]StaticDude 1 point2 points ago

This is a stupid argument. The older you are the less mature you think the people younger than you are.

[–]NinjaScenester 5 points6 points ago

I don't know why you're getting downvoted, because you're absolutely right. It's like going through high school, when you're a freshman you feel fucking awesome, but once you're a senior or even a junior, you despise almost all of them because they're so immature.

[–]facepwned 3 points4 points ago

I started at 15, i knew my limits, told myself i would not smoke cigarettes, ever, and i started doing it once or twice every month, maybe even less, until recently the summer came and my 16th birthday has just come, got lots of money, bought a piece and an eighth, at a [9] right now to high to understand if my post makes sense or anybody would read it and this is too long. i love you guys <3

[–]rambopr 1 point2 points ago

LOL we should totally start doing that....