Having worked in science for over 2 decades, I can say that the number of brilliant scientists (and also the not-so-brilliant ones) who light up regularly is... large...

Okay, so that's why I failed chemistry and other science subjects at school... I didn't [and still don't] smoke pot.

Never too late to adopt new, more effective, tools. 

Nah, can't touch it... something in it makes me ill, and the effect lasts for several days.  I did try it in my teens, but with a result like that I wasn't going to persist with it.  Some years later I had the same violent reaction when someone baked it into some choc chip cookies and 'conveniently' neglected to inform me of the fact.  I was ill for over a week.

Thing is, whether it made me ill or not, I still wouldn't use it because I'd rather face life, however hard or unpleasant it may be at times, in complete control of my faculties, not in some drug altered state. I did substance abuse when I drank alcohol to excess some years back and spent way, waaaay too much money to enter an altered state of being, so never again. 

Not that I go there, AA that is... but my name is Mark and I'm now in my 14th year of sobriety.  And so much better off for it, both physically, mentally and financially.

Good for you Mark. Weed is definitely not for everyone, same as alcohol. I know people who are allergic to it and others who just can't handle it but do it anyway. Those dudes I've seen go to jail quite often for stupid stuff. One thing with me...I keep my nose clean and never stick it where it don't belong. Even my drivers license is squeaky clean.

You should take your wallet out of your pocket before you toss your pants in the washing machine.

Latest Headlines D.E.A BUSTS F.B.I IN POT STING!!! And you are correct weed is by no means for everyone but for serious medial conditions I can see it's use as in the case of my brother he is terminally ill and does consume weed for the extreme pain he has to endure on a daily basis. He doesn't have alot of time left so I say consume all you want 

Apart from the prohibitive cost, I'd rather face whatever life may put in front of me with a clear mind and the ability to deal with it.  I could never use weed for the abovementioned reason, it made me quite ill, but alcohol clouded my judgement more than once and I couldn't always manage things that were confronting me. 

Besides, what I thought made me happy and helped take away the pain, actually ended up making me more miserable.  Nowadays I'm a happier and better person for being sober.  I have the occasional shandy now and then to quench my thirst, but it's never more than a couple because I promised myself I'd never get drunk again... and into my 14th year I've kept that promise, which in turn has helped improve my relationships with family and friends.

As for your drivers license being squeaky clean, keeping it in your back pocket will ensure that nothing whatsoever sticks to it (friction) as you sit here, there and everywhere. 

Oh, did you hear the one about the career criminal who reckoned he'd never been charged with anything... it wasn't that he hadn't done the crimes, he'd just never been caught.  Now I'm not suggesting anything here... but you know all about the shoe story and if it fits.

Wouldn't be the first time I heard that. Thing is I never hid it from anyone including the 'man'. If you're honest about it no one bothers you, at least in my experience. Most of the people I've encountered here, which isn't saying much for this part of town, are afraid of cops for obvious reasons. I'm not, no reason to be. So its really a question of not doing those things to be caught at. 

As a 60's child it was fun and costly.  Those were the days.(California)  Don't do drugs, smoke or drink(now).  Damn, leaves a lot of money to do other things.

Yeah, I know... was just yanking yer chain cos RND ain't around.

Ain't that the truth.... 'cept I still can't afford Viagra.

Actually Pfizer said they couldn't afford you.

They lied!  There was a time I was being offered free samples if I did some testamonial ads for them.  They even offered to throw in a free blow-up doll with all the bells and whistles, but there was no way I was doing a video testamonial for them with one of those.  So yeah, their saying that is just sour grapes.

"Testa"monials, huh?  Where's the brain bleach?

You used it all. Think it was during Bichur's "My throbber's Broken" thread.

Never mind, Doc could always perform a lobotomy if/when you feel things getting too far below the waist... or was that waste?

Yes, Mark.  You GO!  Sobriety (of whatever flavor) is a worthy endeavor.  Don't let anyone steal it!

On the other hand, after watching parts 1 & 2 of The United States of Secrets, a sting would be entirely superfluous.

Thank you, I always appreciate support and encouragement in my quest to remain sober always.  Fortunately, I have it under control and feel confident I will never revert to serious drinking.  It would be a complete to myself if I did and I'm not blowing the last almost 14 years oiut of the water for the sake of something I would deeply regret the next morning.  The last thing I need is a hangover to exacerbate feelings of vertigo and nausea, so it's not on the cards, regardless of what confronts me.  Besides, I have a handle on my depression and alcohol to exess would mess that up as well.

As for stealing it, only I could do that, and to prevent that I remind myself every day of just how good life is not to be dependent on alcohol.