This has been bugging me ever since this stupid storyline started.
Two elderly people secretly consuming cannabis through brownies. The writers obviously think this is comedy, but i think it's terrible. There's been no mention of the side effects etc (i missed the more recent episode last night, so perhaps it was discussed then?); it's just been a case of watching two people getting the munchies and acting silly.
I used to watch Corrie along with my family from about the age of 14. And i know several of my friends did, too. This storyline seems to be making light of cannabis, and could be wrongly influencing young viewers - or even older - to give it a try.
These characters started off using it for pain, but are now clearly quite addicted to its effects, and are looking for any excuse to use it.
Growing up, i have horrible memories of my parents battling with my eldest brother for two years because he used to smoke it in the house. He eventually grew out of it. However, while he was using it, he developed terrible anger issues.
My younger brother has been smoking it for around 8 years now. My parents fought with him, too, but now he's an adult (but still lives in their home), they've given up. So long as he doesn't smoke it on their property (house or garden), they pretend he's not doing it. So he goes on long walks every morning before work and every evening after, smoking joints. He also smokes it at work during breaks.
He has terrible anger problems in between smokes. He is paranoid and is aggressive. He never goes out either. His life is the Playstation and work.
He came off it last year for a few months (he lost his job so had no money to buy it) and became a completely different person. He was lovely to talk to, seemed really happy, and went out to visit old friends.
But now he's back on the stuff, he's reverted to his moody/agressive former self.
This has turned into a bit of a rant. My point is, i think something like this shouldn't be treated as if it's comedic. It should be balanced, so also showing the negative effects of it.
I'm probably only this sensitive to it because of my experience with my brothers.