420 at practice - at what point do you tell somebody?

[Red_Merkin]

Originally Posted by dalkowski

Ditto.

Maybe by "don't do drugs" they thought you meant harder stuff. Or because you drink in moderation, you don't mind being around a little smoke. Or maybe they just think all musicians burn at practice.

You're not off-base -- they could have handled it better. But in that light, keep in mind that you're auditioning them as much as they're auditioning you.

This right here. It may have been an honest misunderstanding about the drugs thing, but you need to decide whether you're okay being around it physically or if it's a problem for you from a professional standpoint, and whether the lack of communication around this incident is something that carries over into other aspects of the band.

Just some things to consider.

[QORC]

it's obviously druggies who are coming up with these absurd comparisons to justify pot smoking.

I'm with the OP. I wouldn't be in a band with a bunch of potheads and certainly not if they are going to expose me to it in a confined practice space.

But is there really a question here? Many things can be deal-breakers and that's for each of us to figure out. If you don't want to be around pot smokers, leave the band.

[bwardmusic]

This is where life intersects with your personality...for me, I would take this as a sign of how they might behave in the future and would not like it one bit. They KNEW they light up in practice, but decided to withhold that information to get you to come to the audition, using your time, and disrespecting the fact that they KNEW you didn't do drugs.

So, I personally would think they will use this aggressive approach in the future. For example, rather than saying "What do you think about [insert important band issue here]?" . they will say "We are doing this...your job is to [insert assigned task here]". Basically, they are not democratic and do not respect others.

I would run from this band and find another one.

[Mushroo]

The real issue here isn't justifying legal/illegal activity. Rather, it's the breach of etiquette of springing it unannounced on the OP. I absolutely agree there was a "party foul" here, but disagree the OP is blameless in the situation. It's a two-way street. OP is insisting stoners must behave a certain way (flagrantly advertising their usage in a public forum) which let's be honest, is not in-character for a lot of stoners. OP insists on full transparency from others, but was not completely open about his own preferences/needs/values. OP should have told them "if you smoke pot at rehearsal, I will get huffy and post about it on talkbass" in the interest of full disclosure.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by nashvillebill

Distribution (even of a seed) in OK is still a felony. Possession of much more than a small quantity is still a felony.

Man, that really is something compared to California. I know people who have been pulled over by the police with a pound, and were only given a warning.

[Big Brother]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Yes, these are relevant examples because they're EXACTLY the same as smoking pot. ALL of these things will get you arrested and possibly thrown in jail, forcing you to post bail, hire an attorney and go to court. Yep, great analogies, spot on.

The named examples (speeding and illegal file-sharing) are bigger crimes in California and many other states that represent a significant portion of this country. Getting caught here is a ticket and a fine, like parking - so bail, attorney, judge and court are not needed.

There are many good arguments to not want weed around and I agree with them, but being condescending about the legal aspects are kinda hypocritical because there isn't a person here who doesn't bend laws and think it is OK for them... Anyone who says otherwise is a liar, and a big one.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Big Brother

The named examples (speeding and illegal file-sharing) are bigger crimes in California and many other states that represent a significant portion of this country. Getting caught here is a ticket and a fine, like parking - so bail, attorney, judge and court are not needed.

A fine that will be waived for $40 and 8 hours in a Drug & Alcohol awareness class (for possession of under an ounce). A $45 MMJ recommendation will prevent that.

[Big Brother]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Man, that really is something compared to California. I know people who have been pulled over by the police with a pound, and were only given a warning.

I imagine it went to a special confiscation room.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Big Brother

I imagine it went to a special confiscation room.

Nope, it was left with the owner, who is a grower.
Pot is a big part of the city's economic system.
The sheriffs wife rode by a buddy's property on horseback, and told him the Christmas Trees were looking good.

Im curious as to how many people would be okay with the situation in the OP if Pot were legal at the Federal level.
Sure, there would be some who wouldnt want to play with those guys because they smoke (same as not wanting to play with people who drink at rehearsal), but how many people wouldnt play with pot smokers only because its an illegal activity alone?

[millsbass5]

To the OP: It's 2013!!!! Do you realize how many states allow it for medicinal/recreational use? I'd rather toke up any, any, any day, than drink alcohol. People are just gonna have to get over it. It's becoming the norm for a lot of Americans. It certainly wouldn't surprise me that in a few years, you "non-partakers" will be in the minority. I can't do it, due to my job. But every now & then I'll partake, and then "flush the ol' system out" real quick. I'll admit it, I miss the hell out of it when I sit down at night to watch a good movie, or when I gig on the weekends. But, I worked too damn hard to get where I am financially. And, I just can't risk losin' my job. It just pays too well.



LEGALIZE IT!!!!!

[hrodbert696]

OP here. If anyone bothered to read the original post, you may notice that I said I was NOT interested in a discussion of the pros and cons of pot smoking, whether you do or don't, whether it ought to be legalized, or any of that.

What I DID ask was what people thought the protocols should be for TELLING a new or auditioning band member that pot gets smoked at your rehearsals. Is it something you should mention in a CL ad, something you mention in emails or phone calls beforehand, or (as was my experience) do you just pull it out and light up with no prior mention of it?

[millsbass5]

"Plus there's the issue of not accomplishing much that you'll retain for future practices or gigs."-QUOTE

Are you friggin' serious!? You have an open invitation to my band's gigs/practices anytime. We may partake just a smidgen, but our practices run like a well-oiled machine. We have fun, AND get it done. There is a reason why we have over 300 songs to choose from.... And stay booked 50 weeks out of the year.

[Bert Slide]

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

OP here. If anyone bothered to read the original post, you may notice that I said I was NOT interested in a discussion of the pros and cons of pot smoking, whether you do or don't, whether it ought to be legalized, or any of that.

What I DID ask was what people thought the protocols should be for TELLING a new or auditioning band member that pot gets smoked at your rehearsals. Is it something you should mention in a CL ad, something you mention in emails or phone calls beforehand, or (as was my experience) do you just pull it out and light up with no prior mention of it?

I must be from a different era, scene, location or something because I've never been around musicians who objected to a little weed smoking whether they partook or not.

Last time I went on an audition the BL whipped out a bowl within five minutes and "you don't have a problem with weed, do you?" I assured him I did not and he fired right up. I wouldn't have been offended if he didn't ask. I was in his house afterall.

[Bald Steve]

About 16 years ago, I played a gig at the Mercury Lounge in NYC on a Monday night to maybe 10 people after driving in from Boston. I got blazed with the drummer before the gig. We thought we slew it - like banging grooves, insane improvised licks, band tight as a drum, firing on all cylinders, all that magical ****. Left the stage beaming. As we were leaving to make the 4+ hour drive back, the soundguy passed us a tape he ran direct from the board, grinning ear to ear. We thought is was because he was amazed. I mean, he had to be, right?

So we listened to it the next day at a meeting.

And I never smoked before, during, or after a gig or rehearsal again.

ADDITION: And yeah - 420 should be discussed up front in person at a meet-up/pre-screening when bringing new people into bands, so everyone is on the same page. It should not be put in ads online. 420 is, you know, illegal in most markets, and putting your use on CL in an ad with your contact info isn't really a smart thing to do. Call me crazy.

[millsbass5]

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

OP here. If anyone bothered to read the original post, you may notice that I said I was NOT interested in a discussion of the pros and cons of pot smoking, whether you do or don't, whether it ought to be legalized, or any of that.

What I DID ask was what people thought the protocols should be for TELLING a new or auditioning band member that pot gets smoked at your rehearsals. Is it something you should mention in a CL ad, something you mention in emails or phone calls beforehand, or (as was my experience) do you just pull it out and light up with no prior mention of it?

You gotta understand. there's not a lot of people that see it as taboo anymore. Believe it or not, it's just about as accepted as someone getting wired outta their skull on 14 cups of coffee. I just know that I'd rather deal with that than a bunch of raving drunks staggerin' & breathin' all over me. IMO,if that's all that concerns you with this band, then your're doin' pretty damn good! At least they didn't bust out a kilo of blow and lay rails across your amp to snort!
But, I understand your view. But, I wouldn't have mentioned it in an email, either!

[nashvillebill]

I understand what you are meaning, OP. Certainly a few people have gotten off onto the "pot is good" or "pot is bad" tangent...

My point is that some localities (like CA) don't have any problem with pot smokers. Some localities (like OK) have a major problem with pot smokers. So in a location that's lenient, a non-smoker might not have any problem if he/she finds themselves in a house full of weed. In places like OK, however, merely showing up to a band audition (not knowing that weed would be present) can bring a WHOLE LOT of heartburn if Officer Friendly suddenly shows up.

So for the band that smokes, it's my opinion that they should've hinted a little bit, in advance, that some smoking might be going on. Like when they gave the directions to the OP, they coulda mentioned "hey you like Chech and Chong" or dropped some sort of 420 hint, fellow tokers can usually pick up on that.

Conversely, when I've responded to CL ads and suspected that they might be a bunch of stoners, I've even mentioned "hey I can't be around any drugs, what you do away from band is your business, but I can't risk my job"

(Incidentally, I think it should be legalized and taxed, but even if it were, I wouldn't be partaking again, I quit decades ago)

[Big Brother]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Nope, it was left with the owner, who is a grower.
Pot is a big part of the city's economic system.
The sheriffs wife rode by a buddy's property on horseback, and told him the Christmas Trees were looking good.

Im curious as to how many people would be okay with the situation in the OP if Pot were legal at the Federal level.
Sure, there would be some who wouldnt want to play with those guys because they smoke (same as not wanting to play with people who drink at rehearsal), but how many people wouldnt play with pot smokers only because its an illegal activity alone?

Given the sense of outrage about it, I think it is more about morality than legality.

[rainbownorth]

It really does depend on the degree to which it affects their ability to play, IMO. If they're a trainwreck afterwards, I'd cut and run. I've cut and run from that exact scenario in the past. And not cause I'm a prude, I've partaken plenty before. I just try and keep it subdued at practice, and not at all on gigs.

I just think, bare minimum, give yourself at least an hour to warm up before you get baked, or there's no point in turning up at all. Once my old band was well on their way, they'd get through a couple songs (only just), start noodling, and all of a sudden everyone is playing something different at once, to the degree where you cant even yell out "shut the hell up, lets all play something at once", because noone can hear over the guitarists stack or the drummer bashing away. And the worst is when you see yourself doing it and think "good god, what a waste of my time."

Anyway, if youre cool with youre cool with it, youre not and youre not, I dont care either way, it takes all sorts to make a world. If youre happy in the band otherwise, make them set a couple of acceptable rules like, one joint a night, practice for an hour THEN smoke it. Otherwise it's just an obstacle to getting anything achieved.

[millsbass5]

"I would simply ask others if they wanted to join and then move forward accordingly. I don't see it as something that needs to be fleshed out before hand. We're all grown ups."-QUOTE "Baba"


Thank you!! I mean, it's not exactly the end of the world.
__________________

[millsbass5]

Originally Posted by bluewine

My opinion, smoking weed at rehearsals is strictly "high school".

Blue

Wow.