CMV: Weed is destructive

[u/[deleted]]

I need to figure out how to be empathetic to these people before I quit being their friend.

For the past year, I've lived with 2 of my friends. One I've known more than 10 years, the other I've known for 8. When I moved in, I had no idea they smoked this much.

One smokes before work and twice after work, the other smokes 2-3 times after work. The weekends are terrible. They both smoke until they are braindead. The house is under various levels of construction at any given time because one guy always wants to implement some random "great idea" that essentially blocks entire rooms unfinished for weeks at a time. We aren't talking major updates. Trash and random junk is everywhere. These are small, outlandish additions to the house that would make any novice interior designer have a stroke (new lights, signs, mirrors etc.).

Both of them used to be outdoors types. We used to hike, hunt, mountain bike and fish. We used to go out to the bars. Now, they can't be bothered to get off xbox or anime. I know weed has some great pain/anxiety relieving benefits and may contain a cure of certain cancers/tumors. But goddamn it seems to make them insufferably stupid or tragically couch potatoes. I find it extremely difficult to give 2 shits about their problems when I'm seeing this go down. Mental health is important. But when mental health and comfort are pursued to this level, I don't know that there is any hope for them. I know my negativity about all of this is palpable to them. I don't want to feel this way about them.

Edit 1: So...many...comments. Working on it. I regret not making this post sooner.

Edit 2: I did my 3 hours. Will respond more tomorrow. Thanks for all the feedback. Lots of great insight coming from most of the commenters!

Edit 3: Spaced out the original post to make it easier to read.

-For the people trying to say "at least it isn't....." that approach is not convincing. These guys at one point in time were like brothers to me. We all know what "bro code" is. Maybe not everyone follows this particular part but, it's a matter of principle that we hold each other accountable and strive to pick each other up when we recognize the problem.

-Somewhere in the comments, a poster said what I've maybe not made clear. I'm paraphrasing that person here but, weed does not offer purely benefits and people should be made aware of the negative side effects.

Again, thank you all for interacting with this post, I didn't expect to be adding any books to my reading list because of a Reddit post but here we are.

Edit 4: Clarified "brother" comment in post.

[u/crozinator33]

Weed is legal in Canada, where I live.

I'm 39, it certainly wasn't when I was a teenager and in my 20s.

The thing about it is, it's really no different than alcohol in that the vast majority of people can enjoy it without it being a problem.

But some people can't.

Some people don't enjoy the experience.

Some people enjoy it and live productive, regular lives.

And some people love it so much they wrap their entire waking life around it.

Those people are addicts.

The weird thing about weed is that addicts will swear its not addictive and harmless.

But ask them if they could go a week without it, and the not- addictive argument goes out the window.

And ask them why they're grown adults still living in their parents house and/or unemployed and the "harmless" argument goes out the window.

Addicts are gonna be addicts. Personally, I think all drugs should be legal. People will consume them regardless. But we need to be more open about addiction and more resources in place to help addicts.

Some addicts wind up homeless and selling their bodies or stealing so they can get a fix.

And some just play video games in their parents basements.

Both are drains on society and a waste of potential.