Over the past three months or so, I’ve sent several messages to my father via facebook (sadly, it’s the only way we can keep in touch) but haven’t gotten a response. I sent another message on the 17th to say happy St. Patrick’s day, and just finally got a reply this morning. I was rather taken aback by what he had to say, and I figured this would be the perfect place to share…

gonna get weed is not a very good thing to post ….im a little disappointed in that,all the steps you were taking to better yourself seems like you went back to the old ways , i hope you can understand this, i feel we are a little closer and hope this wont piss you off on what im saying i want to see you move foward and have something betterthen to stay in a rut … well anyway sorry its taken me a while to respond i was just thinking how to put it all so you wouldnt get offended love you and talk soon

- dad

My father’s entire side of the family used to make any holiday or birthday an occasion to all get together and smoke weed. I can’t imagine why he’s disappointed in me… I replied with the following:

you don’t have to worry about offending me – it takes quite a lot to do so. we’re both adults and we should be able to talk things out. also, you’re my father – i’d like to think i can talk to you about anything.

i’m sorry you’re disappointed, but that’s not going to change that i smoke pot. I’m still taking steps to better myself; there’s no reason to think that i’ve stopped. i’m self-employed, i’m getting my license soon, saving money to get out of my mom’s house, the right way and for good this time, i have amazing friends and a great boyfriend (though you may not approve). i’m finally happy, for the first time since i can remember.

people that smoke pot can still be successful. instead of getting upset about it, you should ask _why_ i smoke. it’s not to get high and it’s not for recreation! i smoke because of my anxiety and the constant pain in my back. it’s medically proven to help both, and without insurance it’s hard to get any other kind of medicine to help me.

there are 13 states in the US that have legalized the medicinal use of marijuana – new york could be the next. would you still be disappointed if i had a prescription to smoke it?

I haven’t gotten a response yet, but I can’t imagine it will be anything pleasant. Although it sucks to have disappointed my father after just getting him back in my life after 18 years without him, I am extremely proud of myself to have stood up to him and defended myself and my beliefs.

A group of eighteen researchers in Xinjiang ((Xinjiang is considered an original source of many cannabis strains worldwide.)), near Turpan in northwestern China have found the world’s oldest marijuana stash! According to this article, the seven-hundred-eighty-nine gram (28.17 ounce) stash was buried next to a 45-year-old man, likely a shaman of the Gushi culture. It was found to be about 2,700 years old, the oldest so far that could be tested for its properties.

The study was published this week by the British-based botany journal. The lead author was American neurologist Dr. Ethan B. Russo, also a full-time consultant for GW Pharmaceuticals. The company operates a cannabis-testing laboratory in England and allowed Russo use of the facility for tests on 11 grams of the tomb cannabis. “To our knowledge, these investigations provide the oldest documentation of cannabis as a pharmacologically active agent.”

The substance has been found in two of the 500 Gushi tombs excavated so far in northwestern China, indicating that cannabis was either restricted for use by a few individuals or was administered as a medicine to others through shamans, Russo said, It certainly does indicate that cannabis has been used by man for a variety of purposes for thousands of years.

Due to the dry conditions and ingredients in the soil, the stash was very well preserved – It was still green! It was put through a bunch of tests, including carbon dating and genetic analysis. Researchers say the marijuana was found to have a high content of THC, and was “clearly cultivated for psychoactive purposes.”

The stash was in a leather basket and in a wooden bowl, and was likely meant to be used by the shaman in the afterlife. Researchers could not determine whether the cannabis was smoked or ingested, as there were no pipes or other clues in the tomb.

Do you have a teenage child you suspect is doing drugs? Are you too scared of confrontation to say something to them about it? Sniff Dogs has the perfect solution: For only $200 an hour, you can now rent a retired drug sniffing dog to scout out the drugs in your home!

According to Sniff Dogs, a company founded by a mother who was surprised to learn her oldest son smokes marijuana, “half of American school children have tried marijuana and and most drug taking takes place when they get home from school.”

The company is confident in the animals’ ability to smell marijuana from up to 15 feet away and residue on clothing from drugs smoked two days earlier. When the dogs detect the drugs, they sit down, leaving the actual inspection to the parents.

Sniff Dogs claims their service is discreet, due to the fact that the search can be completed without the knowledge of your children. Critics claim the service may break down family trust.

Pat Winterstein, a New Jersey mother of three, used the Sniff Dogs service to search her childrens’ bedrooms and stated, “I trust my kids, but you can only trust them so far. They’re kids, young adults, they’re going to make a mistake.”

Talk about invasion of privacy and lack of trust… If you have kids that you suspect are doing drugs, my suggestion would be to TALK TO THEM! If they find out you brought a sniffer dog into your home to search them, the fact that they’re toking up is going to be the least of your worries.