Stories of my older cousin Ron were all my parents could talk about when they found out I was smoking weed. Ron is the son of my father's sister. He got caught growing plants in the attic long before the days of legalization. Moons before my parents learned of my partaking.
James is the one who really gave me away. It was my hanging out with him that alerted my parents, so it's not like it was his fault. That's what happens when you start chillin' with someone who everyone knows is a stoner.
Get Off The Pot!
Weed was a huge cause of friction between mom, dad, and myself as I entered the post Highschool part of life. It was a moral as well as a generational gap that existed between us.
Not the most strict of Catholics, my parents still weren't open to any hippie kind of lifestyle. They studied hard during the 60's and never participated in the civil rights movements of the time.
I was all about civil rights, equal freedoms for all, and I detested the establishment. That didn't fit well with the expectations of a doctor for a father and lab technician for a mom.
Francisco Spilled The Beans
It was about a year after Highschool graduation when I began to smoke out with James.....and the real trouble started. We would go out back through the sliding glass doors of the downstairs playroom.
Bringing the bong and bag-o'-weed, we'd scoot over to the side of the house where it was tough to see us. There we'd snap a few hefty rips, then head back inside to our video games.
One of those bags we were smoking on one of those sessions was a seedy batch of brick weed. Nasty, I know. The seeds spilled out as we stacked the herb and they fell into the dirt at our feet.
In time they were watered by sprinklers and sprouted, unbeknownst to us. Francisco was the regular grounds keeper my mom had hired to tend to our landscaping. He found the sprouts and told my mom.
The FBI Would Come & Seize My Parents House!
This was the rap my mother placed on my shoulders when she learned about the plants. I have no idea how many sprouts there were, but we never had the intention of cultivating them. Shoot, we didn't even know they sprouted.
Besides, there was a spacious storage area under the stairway from the middle to lower floor. It wasn't part of the foundation which left the dirt exposed. James and I talked about setting up a grow station in there, but we figured the smell would give it away.
How do you explain to your mom, who knows nothing at all about the intricacies of marijuana, what had happened? Not very easily. I'm glad my dad decided not to get involved in this one.
To Make Matters Worse
Federal agents never did make an appearance at our home. In fact, I never got in any real trouble with authorities till much later on in life. What became worse was an already strained relationship with my parents.
What helped make things worse was an intercom system built into our large new home. To the day they sold that house, I never did figure out how that system worked.
Our dumbasses would leave the speaker on so that my mom upstairs could hear our conversations. Half of our banter was centered on the topic of weed. This didn't make mom happy.
She was also able to click a button from the kitchen that allowed her to listen in on us. There was a way to prevent the two way speakers, but like I said, we were too high to figure it out.
Now Weed Is Legal & My Kids Aren't Interested
At least, I'm pretty sure they aren't. I know the little one isn't cause he's autistic and takes his own medication. Our 14 year old spent his first five years watching me drink to the point of destruction. Those days are gone, but he still remembers them.
My guess is that if he hasn't tried ganja already, he probably will in these Highschool years. I hope he's smarter about it than I was. His parents, at least, are a little more understanding than mine were.
Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading.
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Societal stigma is usually a bigger part of the problem alongside the generational gap as you mentioned. Was there something specific that happened as a consequence of you smoking weed which made the relationship with your parents complicated, or was it just the fact that you did it?
Coincidentally I just got some seeds myself to feed my ever growing hobby of planting anything I can during the pandemic. Started with tomatoes and peppers and now I'm here. 😅
Initially, it was the simple fact. Later, I'm certain they felt it was the cause of my struggles. Drinking took over and weed was the least of their concerns. It's good I finally embraced recovery. My parents don't have to worry as much anymore. 😁😁👍
The drinking and possibly the weed are usually coping mechanisms for deeper underlying issues or at least that's what I learned from the psychologist I live with. 😅 But I'm glad you got over it. I'm sure it made you a stronger role model for your kids.
I plan on sharing some of my gardening adventures soon, probably gonna start of with the peppers first tho.
Hehe. I took Psych in college and thought I had every ailment we studied. Psychology is like that. It can Psych you out! 🤣🤣
I completely agree. 😂
And good luck with the seedlings. Maybe share some pics once they vegetate a bit. 😀
Cool story! Next cannabis post you have, you should post from the weedcash network.
Lol. that classic scapegoat of the fed will take your house. That shit was and is saved for more than a couple plants usually.
Yeah we have a friend who can attest to that. My parents had nothing to worry about, besides me. Lol.
I dont blame them for being worried. Thankfully that sort of issue is slowing ending. My only real concern with "black market" growing is fire hazards. Most people seem to know what they are doing or dont over do their set up. But, some people are dumb/greedy/lazy/etc and ruin it for the rest of us.
Isn't it funny how things go around in cycles! Each generation must need to rebel against their parents, one way or another. Kudos to you for getting out of your destructive drinking cycle. That's got to be counted as a good example to set.
@tipu curate
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Oh my what a story! Catholics can be known for being strict, I am a Catholic but I grew up quite free in spirit.
I appreciate you telling your story, it's inspiring that you overcome your adversities and be the father that you are today! Congrats!