My early experience with marijuana was first observing a family member, then different types of people in my neighbourhood who smoked it. Then when we moved from an all African community to a mixed community, there was a group of Whites, light-skin and African guys who hung out on the block in front of our home smoking marijuana.

They were always into silly behaviour, and when they smoked and their inhibitions loosened, they got on worse. I observed them while I sat in the garage after school carving and doing other bits of handicraft to sell. They were always loud in front of our home. They would stone dogs, houses, cuss loudly, and I never heard them engage in any meaningful discussion (they may think otherwise). They mostly chatted about football and cricket, getting more marijuana, parties, and their exploits with females. The Black guys (African and Indians) would usually buy the marijuana for the Whites and ‘lights’. Sometimes these Blacks got arrested. Some of these Whites and ‘lights’ whose parents owned businesses, stole from them and sold their stuff on the block. One of the African guys used to fight with his parents at times after he smoked. Some of them attended the same school as I and they were not doing well there either. We did not hang out as I was more into going in the mountains and doing art back then.

Then in the mountains up by a waterfall -- about twenty minutes walk from home -- I used to hang out with some people who after smoking were more lucid. They shared about racism, history, colonialism and I even learnt to drum from one of these guys. They actually made me consider smoking.

The guy who taught me to drum won a scholarship together with I to what was considered to be a prestigious secondary school (just a school built by Whites for their children and they allowed some Blacks to add a sprinkling of color). He was unhappy in that school and eventually gave up school and took to the hills with a woman. He planted food crops and came down every so often to sell the excesses. He still lives that way. He was the best example to me of someone dissing the system (to a large extent). In this environment I tried marijuana. I felt I lost clarity and I did not like the intense hunger and feelings after. I decided it was not for me.

The thing was, even among these more informed guys, when they did not smoke they were unable to clearly articulate what they understood and I did not like that. I felt I should investigate further in search of a high that was not temporary. I also felt that the difference with them and the others on the block was what they learnt and engaged. So while I understand some of the limited benefits in using marijuana, I discovered later on that I could get high without smoking and have the light-head feeling, intense pleasure and heightened clarity. The high I get used to fade after some time but over time it remained longer.

Based on my personal experiences, I do not promote smoking or using any other kind of herb or drug to get high, and if people are engaging me and are interested in my experiences, I usually ask them not to smoke or use intoxicating drugs. I want them to be able to experience a high and be clear it was not related to smoking or any other type of intoxicating herb, alcohol or drug. This way they can distinguish one from another.

Also, from my experiences with different people, those who mixed development that involved the high I get with external boosts, got into trouble. A few ended up in the mental hospital. I usually warn folks about this.

Other than that, if people wish to smoke or use any other type of stimulant, that is up to them. I will not recommend any though.