Pubdate: Thu, 24 Feb 2011
Source: New Haven Advocate (CT)
Column: High Concept
Copyright: 2011 New Mass Media, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.newhavenadvocate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/291
Author: Wayne Dibner
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Cannabis - Popular)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

AVOIDING PARANOIA, AND JOINT-PASSING ETTIQUETTE

Making It Legal, Avoiding Paranoia and Joint-Passing
Etiquette

What's all this about Dan Malloy wanting to decriminalize marijuana?

It's true, he's for it. In Gov. Malloy's 2011 Budget Address last 
week, he alluded to decriminalization as a means of saving money -- 
which was a smart approach. There are many good reasons to 
decriminalize, but the one that will be most universally accepted is 
the one that affects the state's wallet.

"Despite the reforms of the past decade, we are still spending money 
we don't need to spend imprisoning people who, if given access to the 
treatment they need, would pose no threat to any of us," he said. 
"There are simply too many people who've been arrested or jailed for 
minor, non-violent or drug offenses who, if given access to 
alternative forms of punishment would take advantage of that 
additional chance to choose a different and better path."

Right on, brother.

That's how you raise a potentially controversial subject without 
ruffling too many conservative feathers. With tact like this, we'll 
have medical marijuana in no time, too.

I can't smoke because I get paranoid every time I try. What am I doing wrong?

We've touched on the whole paranoia thing in previous columns, but 
let's dig a little deeper. Last time we talked about maybe trying a 
different strain. You don't drink a Natty Light and then declare that 
beer doesn't treat you well. Mix it up and try some other varieties.

But I'd say the main issue here, as with any mind drug, is providing 
the appropriate set and setting. If you were holed up with Tim Leary 
doing LSD in the '60s, that's what he would've told you, and it still 
holds true today.

The "set" refers to your mood and expectations. If you think you're 
going to be paranoid, then you're going to get paranoid. If you are 
uneasy or unsure or unhappy, then that's going to carry over into 
your stoned state. The drug alters your consciousness, but you're 
still the one steering the ship. Don't expect the drug to work 
miracles... you've got to do some of the work too.

"It's all in the mind," as George Harrison said in "Yellow Submarine."

Train yourself to take control of your own brain. Will yourself to 
have a good time. You have that power. Be confident.

The "setting" is the environment, both physical and social. If it's 
not a safe, comfortable place, and your company sucks, then yeah, you 
might get paranoid. If you're in a happy, warm place surrounded by 
good friends, then you're going to have a better experience.

What is proper joint-passing etiquette in Connecticut?

There's no real answer to this.

Predominately, I find that most Connecticut smokers take a single hit 
and then pass it along to the next person in the circle. But this is 
just what I've experienced personally, with the people I've smoked with.

Other times, it can be OK to take a couple of hits before handing it 
over -- puff, puff, pass.

Everyone's got their own rituals, and when smoking with a new crowd 
it's always best to observe what they do and follow suit. And it 
never hurts to ask if you feel you're not sure what to do. Different 
parts of the world, and parts of the country, and even parts of your 
own neighborhood can all have their own customs and flavor.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom