@ babs;
if people weren't willing to "dabble" in their youth, there would be no adventure left in the world because all those open minded people would be couped up in their homes reading textbooks and learning about only the idealistic and nihilistic parts of the world, and not ever getting any of what i think is necessary social and worldly experience. (i don't mean just drugs, i mean "GET OUT INTO THE WORLD BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH TO SEE!" kind of experience. this often includes experimentation such as smoking weed, but it is not obligatory.)
how old do you think an adult is? the U.S. considers an 18 year old as an adult. i know plenty of people that have surpassed the age of adulthood while their maturity has failed to reach the age of 14. and these people will probably never reach real maturity. likewise, i know others who are much beyond their years. like poplars said, everyone is different.
i think NOT being a hypocrite is generally along the same mantra as serving as an example, so i'm not sure what your point is there.
...reading back within the thread, i'd say your anecdote actually was quite funny. and i quote: "LMAO." no, it's not funny that your mom was severely ill, but the general idea about the situation was humor.
i am a student currently. i am 19, and i will be returning to school in september to start my sophomore year.... along with about 20 other close friends that also "dabble," and they are all well on their way to completing their degrees.
personally, i never drank alcohol until after my HS graduation last year. i actually barely ever do, having been drunk probably 8 times in my life. i never smoked anything either until last summer, at which point i smoked cigars with friends occasionally (not inhaled). last october was the first time i encountered marijuana, and i have by now fallen in love with it. i have never smoked a cigarette. these were all my own decisions. i decided to wait, but not all people do. and that is also their own decision.
what i mean to say is that i resent your statement about people being able to happily smoke and also retain responsibility. i hope you realize how many tokers are also incredibly intelligent, reasonable, and responsible. there are also quite a few different kinds of responsibilities, such as the differences between smoking before school, during school, or after school; smoking in private or public; etc. all of these actions have the potential to screw up your life, but some are much safer and smarter than others.
that's all i have to say. no hard feelings - i just wanted to clarify things as i felt that your post attacked me personally rather than simply stating your beliefs on the thread topic. if i misinterpreted the tone of your post(s) then i am truly sorry, and i will recant what i have said above.
peace.