I was born and raised in Texas, and I am a mother, wife, homeschooler, photographer, waitress, and cannabis advocate. I wasn't raised in the cannabis community, actually the opposite. I grew up in the 90s and I was taught as a child that drugs were bad, and pot wasn't just any drug. It was a gateway drug. I was taught that if I tried pot, it would lead me to using all of the other drugs like crystal meth, etc. The schools, the media, even my family taught me that.

As a young adult, I was dating a boy for about two years in high school. We both made a promise to each other to refrain from pot and sex until we were eighteen and prepared. One night I went to bring him some food at work where he was closing until eleven, and at 6 PM he was gone... I didn’t hear from him for two more days, as his mom and I frantically searched for answers. He had smoked weed with friends breaking our promise and passed out for a whole day.

Legalization is not only about sitting stoned on the couch all day people. The generations that have suffered through war fighting for this country have everything from PTSD to pain in their bodies that legalization of cannabis can help relieve.

Weed is legal in Canada now! Yay! So I finally decided to buy my first bottle of CBD oil; mind you, my oil had .25mg of THC in it... however, I don't feel like I notice it at all. Probably because it's such a small amount.

Society has this very negative association with cannabis, and its time that it's addressed because its quite childish really, but we are so misinformed its not even funny and the things in life that are actually good and helpful for humanity have been painted in a completely negative light to seem like the worst thing in the world for us, and those things that are actually very destructive and detrimental for the wellbeing of humans are painted in a strangely positive light.

In western countries it is standard and normal to attend primary school, high school and afterwards say goodbye to carefree days and go to university. People often say that a key to success is education and having a job of your dreams. As much as it’s true, not everyone is fortunate to have the opportunity to have one or even both of them.

Our American cousins,

Millions of Americans smoke marijuana, the majority of Americans have at least tried the drug, and 22 percent—more than one in five—use the drug with some regularity. These marijuana users come from all walks of life. Some are doctors and lawyers, some are teenagers, and some are country music stars. Virtually anyone and everyone can enjoy marijuana.

There's one thing that is quite clear, cannabis is on the rise. It's medicinal purposes are real and effective. The side of marijuana, that the government has long time neglected, is making a come back into doctor's office prescriptions. The United States has had a back and forth tug-a-war happening for decades regarding this plant. But what's gonna happen when/if it reaches full maximum potential for legalization? Are we mature enough as a nation to accept this "hail-Mary?"

I know everyone says you shouldn't smoke marijuana as a kid. It causes brain development issues and all that. Well, we smoked it quite a bit. I will be indulging in some of my memories when I used it. So I first smoked it in the 9th grade. It was okay but it got more fun when summer came around. The first night we ordered pizza and ate the whole thing. At some point, I knocked over my dog's water bowl and had to mop it up. Over the next few years, we would smoke it any chance we could.

Our latest smoke sessions have started requiring blankets. The leaves are starting to fall, and it's no longer 80 degrees midday. What we're most excited about is the fact that the mosquitoes have finally returned to Hell, where they belong. Our friend, Brittany hasn't been with us to smoke this week, but we've all definitely been keeping in touch.

Ah, marijuana. Is it good? Is it bad? A debate that has never quite died down since it appeared in the United States in the 1930s. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion, but fact trumps all. Both sides of the marijuana debate should know that marijuana can be both good and bad. Take it from a former stoner.