56 here, started smoking at 15. We had really good weed up on the Philly Main Line. Columbian, Jamaican, hash oil, Thai sticks (strongest stuff I've ever smoked by far!). We had a dealer that sold hash that was shipped from India as the hard back part of books. If we bought enough he would give us the book and we would have to cut into the cloth binding for the hash, which was covered in thin tin foil. You could squeeze the oil from the hash!
I have a hort degree but this is my first real grow, which is why I joined here for the knowledge. It's been a very humbling and enjoyable experience so far and my hort knowledge has been strongly re cultivated.
I would wager that a lot of the older growers don't bother with weed forums as they've been growing for years and have no desire to get on here. We grew up with a very stealthy mentallity and the stealthiest are the survivors.
Oh, and I still smoke the leaves and even a green shoot fresh off the plant! Some of it is pretty good, especially after a week or so.
edit: forgot to mention that the books were in Indian. Would love to have those now!