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I haven't made it much of a secret around these parts that I enjoy the use of recreational marijuana. In fact, tonight's offering has been inspired by a toke or two. It was my brother who introduced me to my first joint when I was 17 years old. Lo these three decades later, my brother and I still enjoy bonding over a bowl when we see each other. Judge us as you see fit, we are not ashamed, just stoned from time-to-time. We are both successful people who hold down responsible jobs while enjoying our families. We also like to herbally unwind and see no harm in it.
Recently I took a 10 day hiatus from work and Daily Kos and joined my entire family in Florida to celebrate my father's 75th birthday. We rented a little McMansion close to his retirement community in Port St. Lucie. It was spacious enough to house my brother and his wife, my nephew and his girl friend, my aunt and uncle and me and Brian comfortably. With a pool, jacuzzi and all the bells and whistles you could ask for, it was one hell of a party house. Knowing no party to be complete without a bit of kind bud, my brother and I both smuggled (gasp) small amounts in our luggage. I've been doing the very same thing for the last three decades I have flown so I was willing to take the risk just this one more time.
Getting through security with less than an 1/8 of an ounce wasn't what was worrying my brother this trip. It was the fact that I told him I had decided to out myself as a proud pot smoker to my hard right wing conservative father. Since I had outed myself as a proud gay man and he didn't clutch his heart and keel over, I figured he could handle knowing I liked both boys and pot. My brother wasn't so sure. After some back and forth, we came to the decision that yes, we would tell him that we both smoked pot, but out of deference, we would not smoke around him. Fair enough.
Just after the first of the year, I obtained my California medical marijuana card. It is true that you can make up just about anything as an excuse and get approved for your card in California. I would have, but I actually had a legitimate reason. I have adhesive capsulitis, commonly known as frozen shoulder and marijuana really does do wonders for it. I consulted with the clinic I get my bud from and they suggested an Indica that helps me sleep through the night. I only smoke it when the pain is bad enough that I know I'll have difficulty sleeping. Otherwise, I'm a fan of Sativa or blends. But I digress (as pot will have one do). Along with the bud I brought with me, I also brought my certificate and card.
My father's big birthday bash was held at his retirement community center. Dad seems to be very loved by his peeps. In fact, he appears to be a sort of de facto mayor. The day after the party, all the family and a few of dad's closest friends came to our party shack for a day of pool and BBQ. As everyone was getting well lubricated on Brian's Whiskey Sours, I spotted my dad talking alone with my uncle. I sat down and steered the conversation to California politics and medical marijuana. My dad surprised me when he expressed support for the idea. At that point, I pulled out my medical marijuana card and showed it to him. Both eyebrows went up at once. Suddenly he was asking me all sorts of questions. I had my laptop handy and pulled up the website of my local dispensary and showed him the menu. Instead of the staunchly conservative response I expected, there I was, sitting with my 75 year old father looking at buds of Girl Scout Cookie. I couldn't wait to tell my brother.
At my first opportunity, I grabbed him and escorted him into the empty three car garage where we had set up the pot bar. Just as I was puffing on a big fat joint and telling him what had transpired, in walks my dad. At the age of 53 and 51, my brother and I were busted smoking the dope in front of our fundamentalist right wing father. What he said next will live in my memory until the day I pass "Don't bogart the joint, boys." My stunned brother handed it over to him while I asked "Dad, when is the last time you smoked?" His answer, "Three days ago." Our collective laughter nearly blew the roof off that joint.
It turns out that marijuana is regularly smoked for recreational as well as medicinal purposes in his retirement community. Those who can illegally get their hands on it share it with each other, no stigma attached. My dad expressed envy that it was so easily obtained by anyone who wants it or needs it in our state. It made me not want to lord it over him, but help Florida adopt better laws for their huge elderly population.
Remind me why is this stuff still illegal again?
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April 11, 2014
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