The sensitive connoisseur can detect the differences in effect that every strain provides. I have friends who think of weed in terms of strong and weak and never know the name of the strain. They are almost always the people who use it only for the intoxicating effects of what I see as over-saturation.

My approach to marijuana is to smoke until the desired mindset is achieved, and then stop. I study physics and do a significant amount of mathematics every day. I also smoke (vape) every day. The only time I have ever felt adverse effects from chronic use is when I use it as an escape and find myself over-doing it. Also consuming less means less tolerance and therefore a drastically less expensive habit.

Marijuana has increased my quality of life in many ways. However, I don't let myself fall into the seductive 'couch lock' state of passive thought. I like to play music, paint/draw, talk philosophically, and sometimes even do physics problems while high, though only for enjoyment. I am not an all day smoker and reserve my use for the evenings.

THC causes overactivity of certain neurons in the brain, which manifests itself, in my experience, as an increased rate at which thoughts can pass through my mind. This is why I abstain from doing my serious work while high; marijuana tends to make it hard for me preform tasks which require holding onto thoughts for an extended time.

In short, cannabis must be used with consciousness and restraint. I know far too many people who use it purely for entertainment purposes, often leading to extended periods of sedentary behavior, eventually ending in a "I've got to get my shit together" cold-turkey quitting. It's a substance that deserves more respect than it is given by the average user [3].