[skeet]

First let me congratulate you on staying clean for 2 years. If you had help getting clean though you KNOW that most people go back to it..just like the alcoholics that kick drinking...or even the people who quit smoking. Talked to quite a few docs in the past on the subject and they almost all agreed it was harder to kick smoking(permanently) than most illegal drugs(I quite smoking at least 10 times). Mainly because it isn't illegal to smoke...yet. But they are trying to fix that one too. Now as to grass being a gateway drug...I'm sorry...maybe not for you..but the preponderance of facts say that you are wrong. I'm not talking of addiction...it's just that kids, especially, use marijuana and because it doesn't provide the zing that they want will go on to try other things. Usually people who get into the drug culture are the type who have what we called addictive personalities. I had two of that type in my Fire Dept. I knew of their problems because it was my job to get them help. I couldn't(and didn't) even tell the chief of the dept about those guys. I set up their appointments and helped with what I could. One of 'em felt the same way you do about What goes into your body. He lasted about 3 yrs and finally went back into grass..alcohol coke and other stuff. Eventually lost his job, wife, home... after I retired. The other guy has been clean for 17 yrs now...and continues to go to meetings for drug users.

Now The facts are that under the influence is just that..whether it is pills, grass, coke or whatever... legal or illegal. And even if you don't want to believe it marijuana definitely influences your mind...much longer than alcohol. One joint can be detected in your system for 2 weeks and longer. Maybe 2 days for alcohol mainly cause the body converts alcohol into sugar eventually. Can't do that with grass or any other illegal drug that I know of. You don't have to like the facts about drugs...but you do have to accept them. To do otherwise could help put you back into the culture. Not many people who use drugs start out with strong resolve. That is what got them into the problems in the first place. Luck to ya man...I know I am not going to change your mind...The only thing that will change your mind is experience...and maybe having a kid or 2! Would you want YOUR kid to follow in your footsteps? I hope not.