Puff the Magic Dragon is a fair-weather friend.You may think he’s your homeboy, but keep reading, smokers.

I’m not a judgmental person, mainly because I’ve seen the drug, marijuana, affect people differently. I know smokers who are mad chill, funny, creative and overall a joy to be around. However, I’ve also seen people take a toke, and freak out. I’m talking “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” trips. Worst case: I’ve seen people who were once motivated hard-worker become burnt out useless stragglers. Their lives are just stagnant, and that’s a really sad sight.

It makes me wonder just how harmless weed is.

THC remains in your system for a really long time. So, to all of you potheads who think a month is long enough to clear your system to pass a drug test, or plan to rely on that good ole cranberry pill, if you intend on applying for a government job or anything high-profile of that nature, know that a hair sample is a common test as well.

A strand of hair can trace drug use in the past 3 months. (Even farther if the follicle is longer.) So think about that, and remember,

Check out this discussion from Tariq Elite‘s radio show Mack Lessons Radio. He really puts the game down and explains how marijuana can effect those of us with a tad more “soul” in ways it may not affect our fairer counterparts.

He says weed stays in the systems of blacks longer because it binds with our melanin. And because it stays with us longer, we are more susceptible to crave it more often. In other words, it becomes addictive.

Now, with that said, how many of you guys smoke absolutely every day? You feel empty, or like something is missing from your daily routine if you don’t smoke? That’s a sign of dependence, and dependence equals…? You guessed it, ADDICTION. (No Ryan Leslie)

I’m not trying to convince anyone to quit, just offering food for thought. You’ve probably got the munchies anyway, so chew on this. Go ahead, give Tariq a listen, and at least consider a different perspective. He’s comical, but he’s real. Decide whether you agree or disagree, and leave comments below.

btw: This is a podcast of a radio show, so it’s about 30 minutes long. Everything he’s talking about is worth listening to, but he gets to the point about 23 minutes into the stream. If you’re at work and listening to Pandora anyway, you might as well press pause, and listen to the entire thing. If you’re in class, catch the last 7-8 minutes and think before you roll up today.

“Weed and Melanin” Mack Lessons Ep #255 by thebobbypen