How to Stop a Friend From Smoking Pot

Pot, otherwise known as marijuana, has been a recreational drug for many years. Myths about pot's safety have unfortunately encouraged many, young and old alike, to underestimate the effects the drug has on the body. It is not considered a hard drug, because people rarely overdose on marijuana. Nevertheless, the effects of pot on the lungs, brain, and other internal organs are harmful. Pot effects memory, raises heart rate and blood pressure, damages the lungs, and can cause emotional instability and other psychological problems. In addition, people under the influence of pot have slowed reaction times which makes them more prone to accidents. Just because the THC in pot has medicinal uses does not mean it is a safe drug any more than morphine is safe. Many drugs appropriate for treating certain ailments should not be used recreationally.It is not often easy to get a user to stop smoking pot. If you want to get a friend to stop smoking pot, youhave an advantage. As a friend you have much more influence than a teacher or a stranger. While your friend may not pay any heed to a stranger's opinion, he may pay attention to your opinion.

Instructions

How to Stop a Friend From Smoking Pot

• 1

  Tell your friend that you are concerned about the effects of pot on his brain and other organs. Be sincere about it. You don't want your friend to throw his life away just for weed.

• 2

  Show him medical literature describing pot's negative impact on the body. Be explicit. If you can also get a hold of a photo of damaged lungs, do so. Smoking pot causes at least as much damage as smoking tobacco. Many pot smokers do not realize how bad the drug is; others simply don't care. If the latter is the case, your friend is suffering from low self-esteem or depression and may need professional help.

• 3

  Tell him how stupid he looks when he is high. No one looks anything but stupid when they are high. It is the truth. Users don't look cool--they don't look classy, they don't look like rebels, they just look stupid. If the first two steps didn't persuade your friend to stop smoking pot, then maybe ridicule will. If words are not enough, film him and show him how he looks when he is stoned.

• 4

  Remind your friend of the stiff penalties for possession of illegal drugs. Laws vary state by state, but most states have strict penalties for drug possession. And if your friend has a habit of keeping more than a couple of joints around, he could be charged with intent to sell--which has even stricter penalties with longer jail time. Ask him if his temporary moments of bliss are worth 10 years or more in a prison cell.

• 5

  Organize an intervention. Get other friends together and plan this well. You want to show your friend that many people care about him and that his drug problem is a serious issue. In other words, don't scare your friend or try to be manipulative. Interventions should make a user feel cared about, not attacked.