Dr Dan makes some good points but I know to many successful and healthy people to be able to agree with him
There are a lot of people who are "healthy" in so many ways than one that once in awhile use pot or smoke cigarettes or whatever. Probably nothing will happen to them...but is it worth the risk? Is it worth the risk of driving 100 mph once in awhile on a highway to get home faster? Nothing could happen, but something deadly could happen. Is it worth secretly eating something nonkosher? Nothing will probably happen after eating it, but is it worth the risk for later on in heaven? What's the point of rebelling? Look what Adam and Eve did and it was just for a piece of fruit...they lost EVERYTHING.
Nobody's perfect..i get it...but when you don't do what the crowd does if it is something bad, it builds character. And when someone builds good positive character, they have more class. And it's not about how rich you are or the type of car you drive or the clothes you wear. It's not just about the amount of education you have or the job you have. It's not about how pious and religious you are either. It's about not doing what the crowd does if what the crowd is doing is bad and it puts your popularity at risk and you decide, "Forget it. I'm not going to do what the crowd is doing because it's wrong. And I don't care if it makes me unpopular and a recluse."
I know where I come from. I was unpopular because I didn't do what the crowd did and have no regrets. People look up to me because I have class. Some respect me now unlike before because I stuck to my guns and didn't do the wrong thing even though the crowd did it. Why do you think I'm drawn to JTF? For once I can believe in something that might be unpopular, but is right...and through that confidence encourage others to reconsider their old ways.
So what does the crowd have to do with the use of pot? Well, most people try pot because somebody else encouraged them to try it. Very few people go out on their own just to use it. Pot is associated with bad behavior of the crowd or bad behavior coming from a culture. Chai, you are good Jew. Don't do what the crowd does anymore. Set yourself apart. Be proud of who you are..and that will give you prestige.
American culture is horrible when it comes down to things like this. Any American that smokes pot reduces his/her class to people who are more powerful and important. So it's not just you, Chai..it's for anyone who is reading this thread.