Moving on, in accordance with the comment above. I first tried marijuana after a school dance in Junior High at the age of 12 or 13 with a couple of other students of the same age. Three or four out of the five of use were honors students. Now I am aware of a substances different reaction within different people so I will only be speaking from the experience I have had as well as that of those immediately around me. In High School marijuana was rampant with many kids experimenting or doing so daily with the expected plethora of results ranging from dead beat students who drop out to high performing ones who also participate in sports and other activities. As the above statement puts it, a whole spectrum of influences determine how a child performs in school from the home to extra curricular activities to the education system as well. I know I went through the International Baccalaureate program at a public high school not necessarily smoking every day but doing do often, I also participated in Varsity sports, Junior ROTC, Student Council, Key Club, etc. I finished HS with scholarships and an honors diploma as well as with the friendships and relationships that accompany a socially healthy individual. Not surprisingly many of my peers also smoked and excelled in many areas including very high level mathematics and sciences. My first two years of college were a party experience like many other people who turned out fine and I can honestly say that my lack of commitment and academic success can be attributed almost entirely to the consumption of alcohol and not deciding to fully apply myself. After realizing I was wasting money I switched Universities and began Architecture school. I went through Architecture school (which is not a joke) partying (but with more regard for what I had to do) and increasing my marijuana consumption. As I came to the end of my academic career I was smoking more than I ever had in my life and also making excellent grades including a couple of straight A semesters. Now I’m not in any way saying that I made the grades I did because I was smoking so much but it sure didn’t keep me from making grades. I am fully aware of how everyone is different and reacts differently but I was able to write papers and execute creativity just fine if not better while high. Mathematics on the other hand I would not want to be baked while doing. It all comes down to knowing who you are, how you handle a substance, and executing within the parameters of logic.

Now that I am a young adult out of college, I still blaze out of control while managing to not only keep but perform well in a professional career but also paying taxes, maintaining healthy relationships with my friends and family, and otherwise being a law abiding citizen. This bill is only logical and I would hope that the powers that be in Washington get past the Aslinger Era prohibitionary tactics and adopt a much more logical and effective drug policy not unlike our European counterparts who have less of a problem while having legal not to mention potent marijuana available at a coffee shop available for those who want to do so.