Big John tells it like it is. He couldn't do this if he still worked for the SAC.

I've had the unfortunate luck of being jumped by a group of "potheads" here in Toronto, because they asked me for some, I had none on me, and they seriously didn't believe what I said. Like John, I don't smoke. Up until that point, I'd heard every arguement under the sun about pot having non-addictive, quasi-theraputic values. Who's users aren't prone to withdrawl or violence. Man. Did I learn the hard way. Maybe those guys were the exception to the rule. I don't know. But I sure won't be the farm on those aforementioned theories, anymore. While I don't feel pot makes you as unstable psychologically as alcohol does, it obviously still alters your brain chemistry. In this case of these guys, it certainly wasn't for the better.

I used to sell pot out of my garage. I was hit by a drunk driver and injured so I couldnt work. I wasnt getting any money from anyone at the time, and couldnt do anything else because of my injuries so I sold dope. I'm not proud of it. As soon as I was able to work, I stopped. But from that end of the spectrum I can tell you one thing. The argument that it isnt addictive and relatively harmless may be valid, but while I sold it, I would come across people who would spend about a hundred and twenty dollars cash a week, and have no idea how they were going to pay their rent. I only sold weed because I didnt want to push death to make ends meet. But that stuff does take a huge financial toll on people who become dependant on it. And people do become dependant on it. It can be an awful addiction as well, and while the high may not be destructive to ones body or mind, being in that state of mind everyday takes you out of the realtities of life and out of this "World". While it may not be physically addictive, it provides its users with a way to escape the world and their own reality. It's a sad state to have to be in, when you spent 30 percent of your annual revenue on leaving your current state of mind for a large part of your day....What does that say about your life? What does that say about this world in general, when we spend so much and risk criminal persecution to escape the realities of this life by getting high? I wonder, but may never know.

Very well said.

I agree that marijuana is probably a better alternative to alcohol consumption and definately less addictive and users are less volatile. Some people prefer to "check out" of life at times... while others use alcohol to "check in" and loosen up. Different strokes for diferent folks... I would be taking a wild guess but I would bet that most violent crimes in this ENTIRE COUNTRY are performed while intoxicated. Even by those that were using other, harder drugs were probably drinking as well. Not to mention lives lost by drunk drivers...
True, most pot smokers are kinda laid back, but I bet they could get aggravated when looking to score some weed... so what? I get aggravated looking for a good place to eat lunch...

Although I personally think it be best if none were tolerable as there are way to many downsides (and hurting people) with any drug and alcohol consumtion. Honestly the bad outweighs the good in my opinion... Many lives are ruined by people trying to wrestle with controlling their consumption. Those who do not have an issue prefer to move on and disassociate themselves with others who may be suffering.

I have not drank or used drugs of any sort for nearly 10yrs (since I was 26) although I had tried most everything at one time. It was something I wrestled with myself at an early age as I felt I was mearly a shell of what I had the potential be. I believe this is the case for most people although they may not come to that conclusion. Even those that are doing great, even outstanding, in life could be EVEN MORE succesfull were they not "checking in" or "checking out" throughout life. People settle for a fraction of their potential.

Just my opinion ;-)

Regardless of its effects, potential addictiveness, etc. there is one reason I don't do it any longer. Because it is illegal - right or wrong - , the idustry is pushed underground and consequently people are being abused and even killed in the process of supplying it to us. It's not the marijuana that's the issue but rather the associated violence and crime. I suggest people, if they want to use marijuana, press their government to legalize it and hopefully clean up a violent, criminal industry.

Big John, as always, very isightful and well stated, and as impressed as I am about your overall candor and insight on this subject, I have to say that response NO. 3 "Some Guy", has the effects of mare-hi-ji-wanna pegged to a "T". I think that it is not the odd "J" that will kill you, but the escape of reality on a constant basis that removes one from socioty as a reponsible contributing human being. I, like you BJM, have never indulged and I am past the age where I can see the logic of giving it a go. At this point in my life I know that I can obtain much more pleasure sucking on a beer glass full of Crown Royal and Coke than a doobie. BJM, your acceptance of peoples beliefs, honest aproach and common sense is much appreaciated by all age groups, making you a revered asset to the MMA community...but don't stop there...an election is comming up in Canada not too long from now...BJM For PM.

The bottom line is booze, weed and any other crap is a waste of time. I've never met a person on weed that did not make my head hurt. You have to repeat yourself 1000 times cause there damn near asleep. Drinking is the same thing. I personally belief is that we should all be straight edge. I think life is a great thing even on a bad day. I want to be clear headed and remember every thing that I've ever done. Life is short and who knows what comes next. I wanna have the best life I can and not one drug or drink is going to make that better only worse.

I believe marijauna should be decriminalized, but not legal. If one has a joint or two, you shouldn't be charge with possession, but if you have a huge bag the size of a bread-box, then it is an entirely different matter. You should be charged with possession with the intent of selling. If a person choose to get high on his own time, that is alright. What scares me is if an airline pilot, nuclear attendent or surgeon is high and it diminishes his or her capacity to perform tasks of decisive thought and action. The medical establishment should administer it more for it's pain relieve attributes. I can understand why Ricky Williams of the Maimi Dolphins was tempted to "smoke-up" during his bye week. He was obvious in some form of discomfort. The media blew it out of proportion by sensatioalizing him as an addict who can't control himself. The NFL should allow it to be used as a pain reliever for it's players. Times change so should society's morals on recreational drugs. I don't consider myself in conflict, but I try to draw a line what could be harmful and what is harmless.

I think that some people are missing the point. Legal, illegal, it doens't really matter. But what DOES matter is that should a ruling athletic body be testing for something that is clearly NOT a performance enhancing drug? Oh and dude that got jumped by some "pot heads?" You got jumped by assholes. Plain and simple.

well said John i have alot of respect for you and what you have done with this sport and this blog proves even further you are trying to get this sport into the right direction . i myself smoke pot and have for longer then i care to mention , and my thoughts have been the same about it beeing a banned substance in mma some people use it to relax their mind and body and after a hard day of training , no different then sipping back a cold beer .

for 6 (CJP): although i'm sure there're plenty of dangerous criminal elements surrounding marijuana, for the most part ( esp. in n. america) it's locally grown and sold by regular people who's greatest fear is the police. otherwise, the cannabis trade is not really comparable to cocaine, heroin, etc. . not too many people being killed or harmed because of weed.
for 8 (Joe), how many people do you think you deal with day to day that are high on weed and you're unaware of it? does joe rogan seem unintelligible to you? fight commentary, stand-up routines - he seems pretty quick although high, doesn't he? scientists like david suzuki and music greats like louis armstrong (just two out of countless others) are examples of proud reefer smokers with great minds and spirits. good for you and your clean lifestyle, it's your right and a good attitude, as well- but please stop stereotyping pot smokers. i'm afraid you're just hanging out with dummies, high or straight!

The guy who said he got jumped for weed is an idiot.

i agree totally baby j, what an idiot. good luck john on your next quest, hope to see you ref again. shame on fight network for losing big john, your also idiots.