Yes but there's a kicker to this. I would still stay away from designer and hard drugs. THC is the only one I'd use, only because it does a lot to keep certain brain quirks I have in check. Insomnia, racing thoughts, manic episodes, depression and anger control issues are all quelled with THC usage. I've been on pharmaceuticals for those issues and none of them have worked near what THC does for me.
I also believe, from experience, that it isn't the drug that necessarily makes people lazy (still talking THC here) or stupid or any of the so-called negative effects. Those who I've known who "fit" that category already have those negative qualities because they don't take care of their mental state, or simply don't give a rat's ass. THC just brings out those negative qualities more.
Everything you ingest has an effect on your body, whether its "healthy" or not. This is not an argument that certain drugs are harmless, nothing is harmless if taken to an extreme amount. Water can kill you if you drink too much, and thats one of our most BASIC needs. Moderation is key, in any case.
I also won't argue that THC is for everyone, because its not. Just like some people can't eat shellfish, some people react strongly (and negatively) to THC. But I will say from personal experience that THC has done more good for me than any of the things that an M.D. has prescribed and I've not experienced any withdrawls or any addictive tendencies with it. Rent was still paid, lights were still on, food was on the table. Hell the quality of my work improved noticeably. Also I didn't really start using it until my late teens/early 20's aside from random encounters between 14-17.
I think the harder drugs are taking things too far because you have to refine them from the base ingredients, and it just doesn't sit well with me. But THC can be taken from the plant and used as a cooking ingredient, you don't have to smoke it to get the effect and harm your lungs with the extra crap you inhale. Interesting note, speaking of refining/making drugs, meth is the drug I'd say is most harmful considering the ingredients used to make it. I mean its just a ton of harmful shit mixed together in a process in which making the most potent form of is about 1/2 a second from blowing up your lab. And people fucking smoke it.
Still there's a lot of fearmongering when it comes to Pot/THC and thats unfortunate because its beneficial to people with chronic pain, sleep issues or anger/depression/manic tendencies. And the whole "gateway drug" thing is bullshit. Getting high on pot doesn't lead to cocaine/crack/meth/LSD/MDMA/etc. use, its the fact that it is still illegal and therefore carried by drug dealers who most likely have a source to another drug. If merely getting high/fucked up was a gateway to hard drugs then everyone who got drunk would be moving on to something harder since THC gets you much less fucked up than alcohol. Most it leads to is laughter, munchies and (in some people) paranoia... Everybody's different.
Quoth the late Bill Hicks:
?I know this is not a very popular idea. You don't hear it too often any more ? but it's the truth. I have taken drugs before and ? I had a real good time. Sorry. Didn't murder anybody, didn't rape anybody, didn't rob anybody, didn't beat anybody, didn't lose ? hmm ? one fucking job, laughed my ass off, and went about my day. Sorry. Now, where's my commercial??
And one more:
?Here is my final point...About drugs, about alcohol, about pornography...What business is it of yours what I do, read, buy, see, or take into my body as long as I do not harm another human being on this planet? And for those who are having a little moral dilemma in your head about how to answer that question, I'll answer it for you. NONE of your fucking business. Take that to the bank, cash it, and go fucking on a vacation out of my life.? -Bill Hicks
