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Boomers Enjoy New 'Whatever' 'Tude on Pot

Older tokers find they can be open about once-taboo habit

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 16, 2009 1:47 AM CST

(Newser) – Aging baby boomers are not only boosting the ranks of older pot smokers, they're enjoying a kind of neo Age of Aquarius of relaxed attitudes toward one of their favorite habits. The number of marijuana smokers in the 50-59 age group has doubled over the past decade, according to statistics. "There's gotten to be greater tolerance, that's for sure," said one toker, 62. "I know hundreds of people my age who smoke. They are upright citizens, good parents who are holding down jobs.”

With the American Medical Association and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger calling for a more relaxed view of the drug, there’s no doubt a cultural shift has taken place. And that’s spurred boomers to be more open about their lifestyle. “I don't think more people in their 50s are smoking marijuana. I think we are just more comfortable talking about it," travel guru Rick Steves tell the Washington Post. "Even my pastor knows I smoke pot."

Greener pastures.
Greener pastures.   (?robmcbell)
Amsterdam Hash, Marihuana and Hemp Museum
Amsterdam Hash, Marihuana and Hemp Museum   (©Jeremy Burgin)
Lighting up a joint is not the dirty secret it once was.
Lighting up a joint is not the dirty secret it once was.   (?Torben Bj?rn Hansen)
A handful.
A handful.   (?r0bz)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 15 comments
It_Smells_Funky.
Nov 17, 2009 12:15 PM CST
smoke it up, life is short. good additude?
dax
Nov 17, 2009 7:27 AM CST
^ are not available to 'give' their testimony.
dax
Nov 17, 2009 7:25 AM CST
From the source article: "But some older marijuana users say they are living evidence that smoking pot does not preclude a normal life" ---- But of course, the voices of those who have been silenced, "collateral" victims of abuse, are not available to their testimony.

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