6 Struggles Only People In States Without Legal Weed Understand

We’re now at a point where people that want to try weed for the first time can do so legally—in some states. For the rest of us, finding, possessing, and smoking weed has always been a challenge. And the struggle is still real. We’ve put together a list of struggles only people in states without legal weed understand.

Dealing With Dealers In States Without Legal Weed

There’s a lot you have to put up with when there’s only one source of weed in town. They could be sketchy, unreliable, skimp, or have straight trash buds. That’s not all. They can be arrested or stop dealing at any point. Then you’re left to fend for yourself like Abbie from “Broad City,” walking around Central Park whispering “weed” at strangers looking sus AF.

Even if your dealer has the fire on deck at all times, you’ll have to put up with their personality. Dealers are people, too. They can be awesome or super annoying. They may talk your ear off before you get your bag. If they hold you for a bit, it looks less suspicious to the neighbors so you’ll have to respect and expect that. Finding a tolerable dealer with high-quality buds is like finding a unicorn in states without legal marijuana.

Watching Other States Legalize Weed

One of the hardest struggles only people in states without legal weed understand is watching other states legalize weed. It’s like your parents telling you that you have to go to sleep early but they stay up watching TV. You see other people doing it and no harm coming from it, but doing it yourself will get you in a world of trouble.

This is a sad reality that won’t change until cannabis is made federally legal. Until then the same nug will get you a slap on the wrist in one state, nothing at all in another, and in the worst states, criminal arrest.

Ducking the Law

In many states without legal weed, being a cannabis user is hardly worth the effort. Getting your weed alone is a risk every time unless your hook-up delivers. If you’re in possession of cannabis on-the-go you’re vulnerable to arrest.

You can also be arrested for smoking in public. Weed smokers in states without legal weed struggle to find smoking spots. It needs to be a place where you can’t be seen or smelled. You don’t want to attract any attention because the stigma is still strong. People suck, so there’s a good chance that somebody might snitch on you. Be on the look out because those lights and sirens will kill your high every time.

Having to Live a Double Life

If you have a professional career in a state without legal weed and smoke you, probably keep parts of your life secret. Since it’s against the law it’s not the easiest habit to explain to a parent or neighbor. You can’t just go posting pictures of your loud pack on Facebook. Photos of paraphernalia are Snapchatted to an exclusive set of friends that share your love for weed.

Meanwhile, people in states with legal weed can live with their masks off. You’re less likely to get a negative reaction over your weed habit in a place like Los Angeles where it is legal. So people are less secretive about it there. They can share those frosty nugs on Instagram without fear of judgment or consequence!

Speaking In Code At Smoke Shops

Having to speak in code just to get your smoking supplies is one of the struggles only people in states without legal weed will understand. Simply saying “bong” can get you kicked out of a smoke shop in the wrong state. Apparently calling it a “water pipe” makes it okay, but the word bong is associated with cannabis.

You can’t ask for a grinder that will save the most kief. They want you to call kief “pollen” instead so there is no association to weed. Everything they’re selling is “for tobacco use only” so you’ll have to pretend that is what you’re using it for.

Finding Places To Smoke

In states like Colorado, you can find weed-friendly housing, hotels, and businesses. You can even find 420-friendly Airbnb hosts in California. Unfortunately, people in states without legal weed have none of these luxuries. In fact, if you don’t own your own property good luck finding a landlord that is cool with you using illegal drugs on their property.

A lot of times, people end up hotboxing their cars or smoking outdoors. But this sucks because you’re constantly running the risk of getting arrested. Finding a place to smoke is one of the biggest struggles only people in states without legal weed will understand.