Trying Marijuana later in lifeI had tried “pot” in high school, but when I decided that I would join the military it was no longer an option. I was in the Marine Corps where they had a zero-tolerance drug policy and the risk outweighed any benefit for me at the time. 
It would be years later when I was informed how marijuana could help me with some of the PTSD issues I was struggling with. I became a serious drinker after the war and marijuana was not what I thought I wanted in my life. I didn’t want to be a stoner, sitting on a couch. For years, being taught that pot makes you stupid, I thought it would put me further away from my goals.
I was in Chicago, sitting with my Marine Corps friend before his wedding, talking about the good ole days and the crazy things we did and luckily got away with. We started talking about life and how things had changed. I told him the issues I was dealing with and the constant anger I always felt. Knowing full well that I was a classic example of PTSD, he directed me to his kitchen to find a gift…. inside was a new medicine. It’s proven to have positive effects with PTSD symptoms, he said. I did some quick research online and in 10 mins I was taking my first pull in years. It didn’t take long before I was eating chips and laughing like a teenager again.
It honestly took sometime to get use to… I liked how marijuana made me feel, but only in moderation. Too much made me anxious that I couldn’t control it. I didn’t know much about marijuana: sativa/indica, THC/CBD etc. While smoking I lost the urge to argue and started to listen. I tried smoking consistantly after a few months when I returned to Connecticut. I discussed the option with my wife, whom I dated during my time in the military. I wanted to start smoking to improve our homelife, it is the relationship with her that I value most. She agreed and here we are today.
