Confessions of a middle-class ‘pot’ smoker

Press, 4 March 1982, Page 17

Confessions of a middle-class ‘pot’ smoker

By

JOHN DURNING

It is like any backyard in suburbia: large amounts of lawn well burnt ;by the blistering sun, a clothes line, and a couple of vegetable plots. : - '■ ■' The flat is newly built, one of a block. The householder, Matthew, is in his. mid-30s; well educated, middle class, active in community affairs, and keen on sports.

There is. however, one anomaly. Matthew is a regular cannabis smoker; and he grows his marijuana supply amongst his vegetables in the back garden. Matthew has been smoking for 14 years and cultivating his crop for six years. He describes himself as a light to moderate smoker, indulging up to four times a week. “You could say that, alongside sex, the discovery of marijuana has been one of the most enlightening and positive discoveries of my life,” he says. “It goes well with food and wine, exceedingly well with tequila, and mixes in well with a group.”

Matthew believes there are thousands of plots similar to his in Christchurch backyards, and -he does not consider possible discovery by the police as a deterrent. “Unquestionably, marijuana has become socially more pervasive in recent years. It is common to find well-established businessmen and academics using cannabis on a regular basis.

“I would estimate that at least 40 per cent of the population between the ages of 20 and 40 are occasional users. In more cosmopolitan areas like Auckland, smoking is widespread.

“The situation with cannabis could really be described as ‘de facto decriminalisation.’ At present, people discovered with cannabis receive the same fines as a speeding motorist, and everyone, speeds;, It is just unlucky if you get caught.” Matthew grows between eight and 10 plants to cover his needs for the year. Because marijuana grows so tall, most city growers are forced to harvest before the plants are fully mature. Therefore, they have to grow more plants to make up for the drop in’yield. < ‘ “During February and March I get paranoid as the plants gel really tall and'this greatly increases the chance of detection,” he says. Some of the hassles experienced by growers in the urban area are landowners clearing empty sections where plants are growing; developers demolishing derelict buildings and garages that are overgrown

with grass and cannabis plants; and plants outgrowing the vegetables amongst which they are hiding and becoming too conspicuous. . Unlike many growers who establish their plants inside before transplanting, Matthew germinates his plants outside. This means that he may lose as much as 50 per cent of his crop. The seeds are planted early in spring in a sunny spot and are given ample water and manure to aid growth. Marijuana is remarkably resilient and highly adaptable but it does need a fair amount of shelter. This is why gorse and broom make a good nursery. “When I am about to harvest the crop I make sure I do not over-water, as this appears to cut down the THC

levels (tetrahydrocannabinol is the substance which gives the-‘kick’). Also, it is advis-r able to harvest the crop just before seeds are produced on the plant, as this is when the THC levels appear to be at their peak. “Experienced '■ growers have a plant put aside for seed production and the rest of the crop is for harvest•ing.” Matthew started with imported seeds but as his plants have adapted to New Zealand conditions the standard of homegrown marijuana has improved. “One shouldn’t knock the local product. Cannabis grown 'on the West Coast, Central Otago; or the Coromandel is of a high quality,’’ he says. “New Zealand marijuana sells well on the California market and it gives a good clear smoke and sharp sensation. On a scale of 10 I would. rate Buddha sticks and hash at 9, the top New Zealand green at 8, and good local cannabis at 7. “You can’t really get wiped out on New Zealand green, but most people .don’t want to do that anyway. For that you would have to use Buddha sticks or hash. “I am quite happy with a good supply of New Zealandgrown marijuana. “Marijuana has become weir entrenched in New Zea- , 1 land culture over the last 10 years without any serious social side-effects. “At parties where marijuana is smoked, the atmo-

sphere is noted for being more relaxed and less aggressive than at booze parties. '

“Smoking marijuana is a very pleasurable activity, with wonderful side-effects. It is a remarkable stimulant to creating original thought and it tends to encourage lateral thinking. Much of the thoughts generated may be meaningless and foolish but some connections are profitable and worthwhile. It is a source of new ways of looking at things and this is what New Zealanders need.” Matthew believes that marijuana lessens the shackles of the bourgeois mentality and allows one to use one’s mind in a freer fashion.

“Marijuana is readily available in Christchurch and this ease of access means than many younger people are trying cannabis. “One local high school is well known for the ease with which marijuana can be obtained by the students. This school also acts as a base for supply to other colleges. "Even in the junior classes pupils are getting small supplies of cannabis. ‘Bullets’ are sold at exceedingly high prices to these.pupils,- and in the spring when, the supplies of” marijuana are" scarce some users experiment with pill popping and other drugs. “Sometimes these experiments can be extremely dangerous —, take the cases involving datura for example.

“It is in the dealers’ interests to keep marijuana illegal as this keeps the prices high and gives them enormous profits. Such is the money involved in marketing cannabis that large scale pirating is going on where people are using helicopters to sweep the countryside discovering plots which are then stripped ' before the owner harvests his crop. “In many ways the spread of marijuana through New Zealand society is because ol the sterile nature of our way of life. Marijuana is a very attractive option. “Fears that marijuana smokers will move on up tc harder drugs are unfounded. In fact, the whole case against the drug has not really been substantiated; Until the 1930 s it was available as a prescription drug. “As a taxpayer, 1 strongly object to the large number of policemen used in drug squads,” Matthew says.

“If it could be shown that marijuana smokers were au. risk then the law could be justified, but I believe this is'" contrary to the experiences of hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders.”

Plant put aside