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

[Keyser Soze]

If you find the whole thing off-putting... There's the door.

It was an AUDITION. To see if there was, maybe, a "fit." For both parties.

If so, great. If not....

[1954bassman]

To answer the original post: Is smoking pot legal in your state / local?

Probably not. question answered.

[Stewie26]

Originally Posted by Mushroo

Seriously though, attitude on this does vary quite a bit state-to-state. I will stop giving the OP a hard time because I see he's in NH, which--although the state motto is "live free or die"--has not yet decriminalized.

Good point. I started to notice that also.

Edit. Here is link to the worst five states regarding 420 penalties. Very scarey to think you can get life in prision for an ounce in OK. I have been some what insulated from other states veiw points on pot because I grew up here in CA. I know lot people from other states think people from CA are all crazies.
http://www.alternet.org/story/150935...usted_with_pot

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by 1954bassman

To answer the original post: Is smoking pot legal in your state / local?

Probably not. question answered.

Driving over the speed limit is illegal too, and darn near everyone does it from time to time.

[1954bassman]

Brilliant response, quite intelligent actually.

[Big Brother]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Driving over the speed limit is illegal too, and darn near everyone does it from time to time.

Except paradoxically, the 420 people...

[boristhespider9]

Originally Posted by 1954bassman

Brilliant response, quite intelligent actually.

Really? This is not an analogous situation.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by 1954bassman

Brilliant response, quite intelligent actually.

Point being, laws only work to deter. If you avoided every single person who ever does something illegal you'd live a really lonely life. Saying, "it's illegal, there's your answer" only works if you're going to apply that logic to everything that's illegal; otherwise you just come off as being holier than thou. Let people be people. If they do something you don't like then feel free to not socialize with them, otherwise, get off the soap box.

[mellowinman]

Originally Posted by LiquidMidnight

Wasted Aerosmith wrote better songs, though.

Can't argue with that!

[Big Brother]

Originally Posted by Biggbass

I don't know anything about the pot laws of NH but you could be putting yourself at risk by associating with these guys. Pot smokers do tend to get careless and guilt by association is a pretty screwed up way to lose your freedom, your money, and your gear. Plus there's the issue of not accomplishing much that you'll retain for future practices or gigs. Sorry to sound gloomy but My time is more valuable than that and I Do mind when others put me at risk without consideration. I'd bail.

Yeah it is a good thing that marijuana never found its way into music culture because it would have ruined so many excellent bands.

[johnnynitro]

Originally Posted by mmoore1

My brother was formerly a probation officer; and unless you are in a 4x4 ventless room, it is impossible to fail a drug test via second hand smoke.

Yup !!

[LiquidMidnight]

Originally Posted by Keyser Soze

If you find the whole thing off-putting... There's the door.

It was an AUDITION. To see if there was, maybe, a "fit." For both parties.

If so, great. If not....

Yeah, got it the first time, chief.

...doesn't mean we can't have a discussion about it on TB.

[pacojas]

people who swear that smokers think they sound/play great, but actually don't, are so naive! i'll bet they idolize the playing of weed-heads and don't even realize it, lol. it's a given that some of us sound/play great when high, and others don't.

any slight impairment is easily dealt with. know your limit, Kiddies! seriously,... if you do too much of anything it can surely be a detriment. a toke for inspiration is what a dude like me needs. you wouldn't want me any other way if you knew.

[Frenchy-Lefty]

IMO: If it affects the quality of the playing it's a big fat no. Otherwise, where is the harm?
Now, I live close to Santa Cruz Ca. Here, you would be incredibly surprised if no one would actually light it up. You would be left wondering "what's wrong with those dudes?"
I still got to see that happen anyway.
You can play with 60 yrs old business men, university professors... same smoke. It is part of playing music in NoCal.

[DJ Bebop]

All I can say is, if you practice high you better play high

[ChrisB2]

Originally Posted by nortonrider

It's legal in Colorado now, so the whole "against the law" argument
doesn't fly around here anymore.

I really wouldn't care if they lit up or not. I've never had a problem with
the herb.
I smoked a whole lot of it, but then just kinda grew out of it. I haven't
partook in probably 10 years, but I am not the ganja Nazi.

Smoke 'em if you got 'em.
If it becomes an issue, I'll let you know.

That's fine for you and people in CO. If it were legal here, I would have no problem being around it. Most of the guys in my cover band smoke cigarettes and it just doesn't bother me. Yeah my clothes get a little smelly but it comes out in the wash. I've played in bars where the smoke is so thick you can't see, but after a few days the smell is gone from my gear. I used to smoke cigarettes and pot so I'm no smoking Nazi or Pot Police, I'm just a married father who doesn't want to be around illegal drugs.

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Driving over the speed limit is illegal too, and darn near everyone does it from time to time.

And it's in no way similar to speeding. THE POLICE speed. As long as you keep it to 5-8 MPH over the limit, you're fine. I drive past speed traps going 5 over all the time and nothing happens. I speed, but I haven't had a speeding ticket in over 20 years. The day you can go by a cop in my area flashing him a doobie and not get a ticket, that's the day you can compare speeding to using illegal drugs.

If someone in the band wants to use when I'm not around, I don't care. Two of my bandmates smoke pot, one uses a lot. But he's considerate and polite, and has never lit up or even shown the stuff around me. I never asked him not to, he's just a good guy like that.

Pulling out an illegal substance and blowing it in OP's face was rude and juvenile, and I would've packed up and left immediately.

[SteveHeissner]

I was in a similar position once. Didn't say a word until someone asked me, "uh, hey, by the way what do you do for a day job?" I replied with a straight face "I work for the Police Department". The look on their faces was priceless.

[hrodbert696]

Originally Posted by Mushroo

Also nobody has stated the obvious that the OP was a guest in this band's home/rehearsal space. Nobody tells me what I can and can't smoke, drink, say, or do in my own home, sorry. (That being said, don't get the wrong idea of my personality--I am a gracious host so I try to make sure my guests are comfortable )

This was an audition and the band went through their normal uncensored routine so the OP could make an informed decision whether or not to join. It's kind of like my philosophy on dating: I'd rather fart on the 1st date than hold it in until the wedding night.

On the one hand; yes, it was a good mutual test to see whether the band and I would be a good "fit" socially as well as musically. Better to have it on the table than lurking in the dark and slowly undermine things.

On the other: I'd stress your "that being said..." I consider it the host's job to make the guest comfortable (and the guest's job to make sure this isn't too difficult for the host to do).

Originally Posted by bass81800

I saw a Craigslist ad recently where the person looking for a band wrote 'not at all 420 friendly.' Maybe that is how you need to word it. As mentioned before, maybe they did not think your not being into drugs was related to 420.

I wouldn't want to do that because I think it would communicate that I wouldn't consider working with someone who smoked pot at all. As I've said, that's not the case; I'm not interested in living in some pristine bubble. It's more an issue of communication and sensibility.

[markbmbass]

The band that I play in is kind of split right down the middle on this subject. My drummer is a daily smoker, and does so before practices and gigs. The other 4 guys, and myself eithe do or don't smoke. I personally stopped smoking at all when I play. I tend to make more mistakes after toking a little. I see nothing wrong with 420 at all, though not trying to debate it here. I would say, do what makes you comfortable. Is the band tight when they are stoned? Also, they should have respect for a new person and at least ask if you mind. Common courtesy is usually standard w/ anyone I know that 420's. Good luck with the music/band though. I wouldn't let it ruin your fun if the band is good.

[AltGrendel]

I don't partake, don't care if you do. Just don't during practice. I was in a stoner band for a while, lots of talent, good bunch of guys. No motivation because of the pot. Waste of time and a real shame.