It's 4/20...

I don't mean to generalize, but let's be honest here. It's a pretty safe assumption to say that many of our esteemed disc golf brethren also have another hobby, one that seems to have claimed today, April 20th, as it's unofficial holiday. I'm well aware because I was once a part of this crowd. Yes folks. I used to toke up.

Now, if you were to ask me about it, I'd shoot straight with you. Ask me if I enjoyed doing it, and I'd say "hell yeah". Ask me if I thought it was a bad thing, and I'd say "absolutely not". Fact is, you show me a guy smoking a bowl in his beanbag chair, and I'll show you a guy who's not causing any trouble. But this blog is not meant to be about whether marijuana is good or bad. That's really up to the individual, isn't it?

No, friends, this blog is more about forward progress. You see, back when I was still a member of the "green persuasion", I associated with a few people who, let us just say, weren't pillars of society. They did things that were quite inappropriate, often stupid, and sometimes illegal. This is not a representation of all those who toke, just a fair amount of those that I knew. A significant portion of these individuals didn't stop at weed, either. One such fellow, who I see on the disc golf course quite regularly (but rarely speak with), moved on to meth and cocaine and, subsequently, lost his marriage and the rights to see his daughter because of it. Whether he still has these issues is unknown to me, as I've long since distanced myself. What I have noticed, at least in the cases of those I'm most familiar, is that although there have been little or no changes for the worse, there have been no changes for the better, either.

They still have an "unsettled" living arrangement. They find it hard to gain or keep employment. They still have some difficulty taking responsibility for just about anything. They still text me to say "Happy 4:20!!" even thought I haven't smoked rope in years, and they know this. They may be comfortable in their situation, and if so, then good for them. Personally, I wasn't. Again, and I say this again because it bears repeating, this is not a representation of all those who toke, just a fair amount of those that I knew. I put it behind me, knowing that it would cause problems for me. Although I maintain that there is nothing wrong with smoking weed, it's something that will affect the way others perceive you, usually for the worse. I still have friends that smoke up, and I love them. They respect my decision to abstain just as I respect their decision to partake, and we have plenty of good times together without marijuana being an issue. It’s funny how the rest of the world finds this so difficult.

[Rickinator]

lol code for smoking pot...makes life so much more enjoyable. "have ever you done life on weeeed?" playing sober is just fine w/ me tho n I try to stay content like that so I dont ever jones for anything but maybe a water or gatorade. and may good your writing continue!

[Chainz-4-Brainz]

Interesting side note: I was smoking pot long before I had even heard of disc golf. One day, when one of my bud-smoking friends called me and asked if I wanted to play disc golf, I wondered "Disc golf? Must be some sort of code for "smoking pot"." So, of course, I said yes. Best move I ever made. And it just goes to show how marijuana can't possibly be a bad thing...

[David Turner]

Great post and I agree with Ben... I drink and smoke, but I'd say its safer to be a pothead then a alchy..


At our local courses we have smoking holes for "safety meetings"... we just sit and let people pass us, we never try to hold up anyones game, if your going faster then we want to play, you can throw thru and keep up on your own speed.

[Chainz-4-Brainz]

Thanks for reading, guys! And thanks for the kind words!

[Mike]

Great post! I used to smoke everyday, roll up two- five for a day of discing with friends but am a occasional smoker now, one hit wonder. Our course has been exploding especially this year (now in its 3rd year). People don't understand that some of the traffic out there are police officers going out and trying the sport, they see you and your buddies smoking on the tee pad. Now the course is getting patrolled by a cop on horseback and they bitch and wonder why he is out there. DUH, be smart about it, keep it inconspicuous you never know who is out there playing.

[wayhighoffire]

sweet blog

[Ben Calhoun]

I don't partake. Don't takepar much either. Alcohol is worse but it's somehow legal. Go figure.

[Scot Lambert]

Kudos on another well written blog post. I can again agree with your experiences bro,but it was my son that got me off the path, back on the road. I see allllot of it on my local course, and for the most part it doesnt matter one zig-zag to me. The only complaints I have with Greeners is: Keep your round going...there are really people behind you, your not being paranoid. And most importantly is respect for the course. Folks who smoke are complacent!...Ill take the hate! Too much vandelism too much F23ck it attitude, which is cool at your friends moms basement, but not on the course. GO NORML!