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

[boristhespider9]

I agree you should just leave but you missed the point.

[TRichardsbass]

Originally Posted by DiabolusInMusic

Why is it so uncomfortable for you? Would it be different if they all pulled out cigars, coffee, or beers? Some folks start their day with a caffeine addiction some folks end their night with a marijuana addiction, different strokes for different folks. You wouldn't think twice getting a ride to work and having buddy stop for coffee would you? It is a stimulant more addictive than heroin, the same can be said for cigarettes.

As far as you failing a drug test because you are in the room with some smokers, they need to smoke a lot and you need to be in bad health to have your body retain it, a well hydrated person can smoke a joint and pass a pee test the next day if they aren't a hardcore smoker.

Personally I wouldn't bat an eye but I have been around drugs before, if they pressured me to do it that would be different, that has nothing to do with the drugs though, your in a band this cannot be the first time you have turned down drugs.

I am sorry but caffeine is not more or as addictive then heroin and if you believe that you are probably someone who says they want to legalize pot because it makes high quality paper and rope fiber.

Having said that I wouldn't stay in this situation because they did spring it on you. And like I said in another thread I find that pot smokers have the "it is no big deal" mentality. Show up to rehearsal late? No big deal. Not learn the song you were supposed to? No big deal. Play sloppy at a gig because you had a toke? No big deal. Ask you to continually buy them drinks at gigs? No big deal...

Do it in your own home on your time. Dont do it on my time. And it is illegal. Always better to play by the rules. I don't want to be in the van when one of the band guys lights up at the exact time the police decide to troll the bar parking lot.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by TRichardsbass

And like I said in another thread I find that pot smokers have the "it is no big deal" mentality. Show up to rehearsal late? No big deal. Not learn the song you were supposed to? No big deal. Play sloppy at a gig because you had a toke? No big deal. Ask you to continually buy them drinks at gigs? No big deal...

Well, to be fair, Ive known non-tokers who have the same mentality. Its a generalization to apply that mentality to all pot smokers. Its simply unprofessional behavior. The correlation of unprofessional behavior to pot smokers may be high (ha), but its not the case with everyone. Showing up late, unprepared, and unpracticed doesnt fly with me, and I see it all the time from people who dont smoke. As a pot smoker myself, Ive never asked anyone to buy me a drink, I can get my own.

[SquierJazz72]

Leaving the legalities and personal feelings aside, for a moment, the biggest problem I would truly have with it overall is when it becomes a threat to the band as a whole.

This is what killed my first band, just as we were getting some momentum going. None of us were angels, we all did stuff. But myself and the lead guitarist stopped short of letting it wreck us, or stop us from being able to play. And we both kind of outgrew it and moved on

Our bass player(I was on rhythm guitar back then) and drummer gradually went from casual use to being almost as interested in getting high as playing, to just as interested in both, to being more into chasing their respective highs than playing.

That was the beginning of a very quick end.

[Bert Slide]

Originally Posted by TRichardsbass

I don't want to be in the van when one of the band guys lights up at the exact time the police decide to troll the bar parking lot.

You'll never be caught offguard in that situation if you hire this guy as as head of security.

[Luke19Boarder]

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

Just remember, in most places it's illegal in to some degree (and of course illegal under Federal law). Hanging around people engaging in illegal activities can often ensnare the non-participants in one way or another.

Lots of folks here want to just brush it off as no big deal. But some of us have future ambitions it could affect or are at a stage in life where we perhaps have more to lose or more at risk. Some of our jobs are licensed professions, subject to ongoing background checks, polygraphs, drug tests, and "morality clauses." For young musicians who may eventually want to go into law enforcement, certain government work, or other positions requiring polygraphs, one question you may get asked is whether you've hung around people who've used drugs even if you didn't partake yourself? If so, why didn't you leave when you saw them engaging in the activity instead of accept it by staying around? Further, as others have mentioned, you can be in a practice space or driving to a gig with one of your user band mates and law enforcement comes along and finds it on his person or in his gig bag in your car or home. Don't necessarily think you're walking because it's not yours. (By the way, that doesn't happen with speeding or some of the other silly inapplicable examples above where only the perpetrator can be held responsible.) Plus, while it may appear that your bandmates have it just for personal use, you just never know if they are engaged in something bigger.

So, yes, some of us are more sensitive to it than others. Like it or not, agree with it or not, being around someone using or holding 420 can have legal implications as well as create major problems to a current or desired career. I think a lot musicians don't have that on their radar because they don't have as much at stake, don't look far enough ahead at the potential consequences, and don't have the desire to (or know a lot of people who) work in fields where this can be a barrier. Further, a lot of younger guys don't have families yet and that can (and probably should) change your perspective on everything including your tolerance for unnecessary risk.

If you are one of those people that have a lot to lose, I would think it would be in your best interest to make sure the band knows you are not going to tolerate being around 420 before you meet them.

[boristhespider9]

Originally Posted by Luke19Boarder

If you are one of those people that have a lot to lose, I would think it would be in your best interest to make sure the band knows you are not going to tolerate being around 420 before you meet them.

Agreed. Personally, I've done that and it's helped me screen out auditions and find the right guys to play with. I just think those who do engage should understand that there are many legitimate reasons why people don't want to be around it and that it's not part of everyone's music culture.

[Luke19Boarder]

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

Agreed. Personally, I've done that and it's helped me screen out auditions and find the right guys to play with. I just think those who do engage should understand that there are many legitimate reasons why people don't want to be around it and that it's not part of everyone's music culture.

[ChrisB2]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Im curious as to how many people would be okay with the situation in the OP if Pot were legal at the Federal level.

Like I said earlier, my aversion is totally and 100% because it's illegal. If it were legal, I'd say light it, smoke it, smoke your brains out, I don't give a flying ****. Guys in my band smoke cigarettes in a closed garage at rehearsal; doesn't bother me.

I used to smoke. I have no problem if people want to smoke. I just reached a point in life where I don't want to be around it. M'kay?

And I think all the mental gymnastics to justify participating in an illegal behavior, or pooh-poohing the law, or painting me and others as moral intolerants, or saying it's no big deal, or attempting to ridicule the whole situation and "your opponents" is all very entertaining. Keep it coming...

[nashvillebill]

So, after 21 pages, I think we've discussed what I would consider 3 factors:

1) Legality. Some areas it's cool, other areas it's not; some folks really don't want to risk getting busted, other folks don't think it's a risk.

2) Personal "morality" issues. Some folks see it as childish or 'bad", other folks think it's great.

3) Effect on practice/playing. Some folks take a few tokes and play great; other folks take a few tokes and can't play worth squat. Some folks focus decent enough to practice or play when they're stoned, other folks get dumber than a box of rocks. Some folks experience an upsurge in creativity, other folks turn into couch potatoes.

Hence the divergent opinions. They all may be considered valid, in one way or another.

[SquierJazz72]

I think those three factors work.

Some people don't like the fact it's illegal. I respect that, and at this point in my life, I wouldn't want to be around it myself, just in case. I really don't need to be guilty by association.

Not worried so much about morality issues, but again, respect those who are.

Point three is a big one for me. Some know when to stop, others not.
And, speaking from experience, it can destroy a band.

So there's my stand on it.

[Frenchy-Lefty]

Please do not post any long response in this thread, we are all too stone to read it and we don't care about what you think anyway.

[rainbownorth]

Originally Posted by SquierJazz72

Point three is a big one for me. Some know when to stop, others not.
And, speaking from experience, it can destroy a band.

There it is for me.

[Groovy_Gravy]

Originally Posted by Big Brother

This is so true!

Let me tell you who was a real musician. Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler, one of the great composers of the 60s. His band showed up on time and played with their feet forward and their chins high! You can't make timeless music like that when you are smoking the dope.

Imagine how good the Beatles or the Stones or the Who would have been if they didn't step into the abyss and toke up. What a waste! I bet they thought they sounded pretty good though when they were riding their dragons around the studio!

you are ignorant.

[Floyd Eye]

Wow, this thread never goes away. lol


Don't like weed, don't smoke it. Don't like being around it, find another band. Seems friggin' simple enough to me.

[jgroh]

Bahh, when they asked if it was ok, you should have told them your DEA...you know, just to be funny. Could even get a fake badge made up just to mess with the stoners.

[Hawkbone]

Originally Posted by nashvillebill

So, after 21 pages, I think we've discussed what I would consider 3 factors:

1) Legality. Some areas it's cool, other areas it's not; some folks really don't want to risk getting busted, other folks don't think it's a risk.

2) Personal "morality" issues. Some folks see it as childish or 'bad", other folks think it's great.

3) Effect on practice/playing. Some folks take a few tokes and play great; other folks take a few tokes and can't play worth squat. Some folks focus decent enough to practice or play when they're stoned, other folks get dumber than a box of rocks. Some folks experience an upsurge in creativity, other folks turn into couch potatoes.

Hence the divergent opinions. They all may be considered valid, in one way or another.

That about sums it up. These threads are hilarious.

On the legality issues, I wonder how many of you 'straight arrows' have ever broken a speed limit? How many will deliberately contravene any new gun control regs that may be passed in the near future? How many encourage religion and prayer in public places/institutions even when it's against the law?

Laws and rules are awesome when they support your worldview and suck when they don't.

[HertzWhenIPlay]

when you are in a band, all of the members are in a "relationship."
there are different types of relationships for different types of people.
we all know there are many smokey studios out there but also plenty that are smoke free.

been playing in bands for a long time and know what type musicians i prefer.
find what fits you best and leave alone the rest?

[AdamR]

It doesnt really bother me but when the drummer in my bad smokes he cant keep time and usually plays way to fast. If I were to smoke I would fall a sleep. I dont think Ive smoke pot since high school.

[mellowinman]

"A ray of light is alive. A drop of water is alive. Everything is alive until men transform it into something else, and even then some life remains. A tree is alive. When you cut it into logs, each log is alive. When you burn the log, you kill it, but you create a new life, which is the flame, and the heat; the energy you have re-channeled.”"

“"So even the ashes are alive?"”

“"Don’t be an idiot. Try to stay with me, here. Of course the ashes aren’'t alive; they’'re the ashes of a life that is no more. However, those ashes contain the very seeds for life itself, because out of all death, the cycle must be complete.” "