My first time around Weed

Surrounded by the sounds of the jungle I was looking for a soft place to rest my head and take a wink or two before we headed out again on a hike that was mysterious to me as I did not know where I was going. The dense foliage gave me a break from the wind but the humidity was overwhelming as my quench for thirst was constant and my need to sleep was overdue. 

 In fact, the density caused me to sweat more than I preferred. Surrendering to the environment I sat down on some soft green moss and as I leaned my head and shoulders against the tree, I felt a vibration like no other telling me I was sitting on something organic and that moving to another spot would be preferred. 

These things happen when you are traveling in the jungle where there are animals abound and many species to see. 

I was part of an exploration group, a heavily armed military style research team to find some evidence of people living in these parts and making it their home. It was a unique experience as we were isolated from the human race and didn’t know when we would return again to join them in their societal happenings. It was a strange expedition but one that had to be done.

The group was six man strong. They were all well trained and all well skilled in the art of tracking, destroying and killing. The break gave us a chance to rest but not to relax as there is a distinct difference between the two. Some lit up their smokes, myself included as these cigarettes were free and came with our C rations packed for this trip. 

As someone who was not a staunch smoker, I moderated my puffs and did so only to relieve myself of the stress and anxiety within in me. I had to do it in order to cope with the potential environment and keep myself busy since there was no chewing gum or other form of stress relievers near. 

An interesting fact was how this group separated themselves into a half circle and how well trained they were to disperse their gear in such a fashion it was readily available. Something we call survival in these parts. 

Another part of survival these days was the smoking of weed. A pretty unique experience if you have never tried it before. As a mature adult I chose not to engage in it but I can’t deny those around me refrained from taking the stuff. It was the best stress reliever we really had and safer than smokes. 

Some expressed they had smoked weed or pot in the states before. Some said they took it as a habit while here in the jungle. No matter which way you turned, everyone else you talked to about it had smoked pot for a pretty long time. 

The reality of this matter was that pot was an acceptable form of entertainment, medicinal treatment and a way of coping with the stress. None of the group members saw it as a hideous or malicious life ruining substance and gladly offered to share if interested.

Passing it off as a medicinal herb was most common and tempted many to try it for the first time and then ever after. 

The conversations went like this as there were cannabis experts in this group. You can smoke it hand rolled, you can put it in a pipe or your can cook it. The fact is the end is only based on your own imagination. The most important factor so it seemed was where you are trying the stuff for the first time as the environment may determine whether you are safe warm and comfortable during your high. 

This is where I parted with the group. I didn’t feel the jungle was the place or time to light up a joint. However, out voted and unrecognized as a spokesperson, I was basically ignored. Sticking to my tobacco and smoking my free PX delivered cigarettes I watched while the other lit their fires. I thought it was a good idea one of us stayed alert and ensure the moment does not turn into a time of regret. 

Curiosity always gets the cat. I had to ask what it was like to smoke the weed. I did not want to join them but I didn’t want to be cast aside so I joined them in their conversation paying attention to what they had to say about the pot they were smoking. 

I saw myself as a man with a mission: to learn how it was inside the hazy world of the pot-smoker and come back with a description of what it's actually like to get stoned, from the perspective of someone who's never tried it, and for the benefit of anyone who's curious about what it's like.

It was interesting to hear them explain the effects. The first person to speak up told me it a means to change the perspective of what you see or feel. It changed the perception of reality. The other said it changes the way you see things, hear things and taste things but no different than how it really is. An oxymoron to say the least as he contradicted himself a few times or so. 

The other said it sharpens your mind and gives you more details of what surrounds you giving me an example that shows you notice things that you might have skipped. In his desire to describe it he called it a means to transport himself out of the reality like going to another place. Describing everything is the same yet different made no sense to me but it did to them. I can only imagine what they were saying. 

Other effects were how the weed gives you the munchies and how it heightened your senses. They said that pot slows time down but what they were really saying is that time is distorted and the reality is lost. Experiencing a state of euphoria was commonly shared by all but all I saw was people stoned and happy. Nothing could change my mind that it was worth trying, even for the first time.