Weed smokers on the beach

[summermumma2021]

AIBU to think that it’s selfish to smoke weed on the beach? Especially when it’s a bank holiday and jam packed with families.

We arrived at Barry Island today with our family and sat down. Beach and sea were brilliant and the boys were happily digging in the sand when the tell tale scent became apparent. Right next to us both parents were smoking a joint with both their toddlers sat right there with them. It makes me so sad to see so many people smoking right by their kids…not to mention mine!

As the beach was so rammed we didn’t want to move away from them but we did just take the boys down to the sea only to discover several large groups of teenagers also smoking the strongest smelling weed both in and out of the water.

After several looks from me the man next to us said “she’s not happy” to his partner and I looked at them and said “No, it’s not on. I’m here with my kids and you’re right next to us and loads of families. Do it somewhere else.”

He got up and went and did it somewhere else. It was only later that my husband noticed the guy had an ankle tag on and said thank god he didn’t kick off about it.

Anyway just thought I’d offload and see others thoughts?

It's very easy, & legal, to qualify for medical cannabis.

I’ve got no issue with adults smoking weed in private as it's their body, their mental health and their choice. But doing it around others, especially children, isn't on. Secondhand smoke IS harmful to children and driving under the influence of weed is on the rise. Sadly, some people don’t seem to care about how their behaviour affects their own children let alone other people's children. It makes me sad that some people are like that.

We're currently on holiday in Pembrokeshire but we haven't come across any weed smokers yet.

Any kind of smoking on the beach is antisocial and foul. A beach is a place kids frequent and smoking should be banned. Good on you for saying you weren’t happy about it.

I hate it, and I hate how people think your supposed to just be ok with it.
my next door neighbours used to smoke it, I ended up moving house. I sold to a family with a toddler, felt bad about that, but I was so desperate to get out

I think you have a very skewed sense of morality.

Lucy Connelly - convicted of inciting racial hatred. Literally said she wanted to set fire to a hotel full of non-white people claiming asylum.

vs

Someone smokes a joint to relax and change their mental state.

Is medical cannabis smoked though? I can’t imagine it’s a delivery mechanism that a physician would recommend, what with the whole lung cancer and COPD risk that is associated with smoking.

I would have reported them to the police. They’re under the influence of a drug whilst caring for small children.

I saw the news about that! Thankfully not! It’s usually a fun day out but I’ve learnt my lesson to avoid during a bank holiday in a heatwave. Way too rough yesterday!

Yes, changing their mental state from twat to even bigger twat.

I've seen what long term weed use has done to my once kind and loving brother. It has caused severe mental health issues despite making him 'feel so much better' at first. He snaps if he hasn't had his fix.

Those kidding themselves that it is harmless are as delusional as alcohics thinking they can functiom just fine.

As well as offending and upsetting many people around them, like sending out an offensive tweet to someones nose.

What’s private though? In their own garden- so the smell comes over the fence and lingers in mine- no different from doing it on the beach.

in the car with the windows open? So the driver is under the influence and they might kill somebody, but I also get great wafts of it as they drive past?

the smell is so grim. When people say about legalising weed, it just makes me despair.

So many people now take it not because they want to but because so many restrictions are made to prescription painkillers and gps are given such a hard time for prescribing them . It’s the only option for some people.

Ah yes, and I’ve just remembered something from years ago (over 25 years now I think) , a conversation with a mental health nurse from the local hospital saying that the majority of their residents had had psychotic breaks and the common denominator was strong skunk - it had been bred to have more THC - as you say, that’s the bit that fucks you up. So it’s probably much stronger now. Back then none of us would touch it as we smoked for a relaxed buzz rather than completely mangled, but you could get brown hash and occasionally things like red leb and sticky black.
I don’t think hash/weed is without consequence though, it definitely causes paranoia for some who smoke it regularly and it represses dreams for many people, I knew someone who had very blue eyes that looked almost grey unless they came off the puff for two weeks and course there is the snack issue but that’s less problematic since the advent of Deliveroo, uber eats and so. No one has to make paranoid trips to the petrol station after midnight :-)

it’s a very effective analgesic - was great for period cramps back in the day.

Family member developed schizophrenia thought to be from smoking weed, another friend possibly had the same trigger. I don’t understand why people take it so lightly.

To counter this, alcohol abuse has brought on serious mental health issues for people, destroyed lives, involved in murder and violence, everything in moderation. There is plenty of people who lost their mind through alcohol. Substance abuse will do this, no matter what the crutch is.
Used in moderation it is fine.

I like weed and the smell, but i totally understand why people dont like it, its a very strong smell if not used to it.

Accordingly, I am always very aware / respectful of others who may be affected and would not indulge if it affected others.

That said, I would much rather have weed smokers than loud, lairy drunks as company!

Erm not all cannabis comes through 'county lines'?! 🥴

Good post, its right to highlight the double standard with alcohol.

Ultimately, intoxicants are not for everyone. A small minority of ppl may be predisposed to issues, or may react badly. But for the majority of people, responsible, moderate use is fine!

Tbh I much prefer the smell of weed to that of tobacco or vapes but I'd rather not sit next to any of it anywhere.

Any kind of smoking or vaping is anti social

I’m not particularly anti weed although I don’t smoke it myself, alcohol is far worse both from a health standpoint and an antisocial behaviour standpoint.

But I judge anyone who does it in front of their kids and in a public place. Why can’t people have some respect for others around them? Just wander around the corner if you have to.

If I’m having a glass of wine in my garden you have no idea though and it doesn’t impact you. If you’re smoking a joint then I have to go inside and close all the windows and then wait for ages for the smell to dissipate.

Thats a fair comment, its important to respect / consider others no matter what we are doing.

I think vapes smell just as bad. Not relevant really, but I’m not sure what can be done about people’s stinky habits.

It was great that you said something. Even better that he moved. But I think his tag may have had some bearing on that. He probably didn’t want an argument and the possibility of the police being called.

I hear what you’re saying op, but alcohol is far more likely than weed to cause anti-social behaviour. People aren’t arrested for fighting when they’ve had weed, but frequently are after alcohol.

Personally I find alcohol consumption far more offensive but realise we all have to rub along together and tolerance of others is important.

Controversially perhaps, but I also think if he’d ’kicked off’ due to your dirty looks and passive aggressive comments, that’s on you. Although I’ve yet to meet a weed smoker who would ‘kick off’, they’re normally pretty chilled.