Taking marijuana affects and stimulates thinking and leads to a philosophic, positive life attitude. It causes an euphoric feeling. You start feeling very happy and it stimulates your mind. Someone who is "high", has a positive view on the world and on life.

Marijuana doesn't cause any mental harm. There aren't any cases known of persons who are crippled for life, neither physically, nor mentally, but marijuana can intensify latent, suppressed fears, that were already existing.

In the Netherlands marijuana is mostly smoked in a joint. The hash or weed is crumbled on some tobacco and sometimes covered with even more tobacco. Then a big joint is rolled, often very ingeniously, and it is shared by a number of blowers. The consequence of mixing tobacco and marijuana, is that the smoker does get STONED, but not HIGH. Being stoned is a pleasant form of a light daze. The blower feels dreamily, his/her world slows down, music becomes more intense and thoughts expand enormously. Someone who is stoned is not very keen. Why should you worry when you're feeling so fine?!

There is a large variety in the effects of the different sorts of marijuana. The experienced taker knows the difference between Nepalese, Turkish, Afghan of Moroccan hash. Some sorts make you light-footed and talkative, other sorts prompt to lie down and dream.

In some circles alcohol is taken while smoking a joint. Mostly beer, sometimes wine, but real macho's also drink whisky or another spirit while smoking their joints. Then blowing is useless, as alcohol breaks down the effect of the hashish.

The reason why hash and weed are so popular, is dead simple: everyone who blows regularly, knows from personal experience that it's harmless. Innumerable scientific researches have proven again and again that taking marijuana is not addictive. Everyone who smokes pure hashish from a pipe, without tobacco, would like to take again, because he/she appreciates the effect, but he/she doesn't know that uncontrollable need of the nicotine addict to immediately light another cigarette. Smoking pure hashish or weed always is a conscious choice. The cannabis taker decides to get high, for example to get more out of a conversation or to be able to undergo music or a movie more intense, to feel a bond with nature or to reflect thoroughly on an idea. A cannabis taker smokes because it gives him/her inspiration, not to escape from reality.

A short time after the smoke of hashish has been inhaled, the effect is perceptible. The taker starts to feel euphoric, cheerful and relaxed. The beauty, the fun and the bright side of life, that usually are defeated by the daily grind, become perceptible. Ideas and views crop up and tensions disappear.