13 Comments
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Cory Vinny's avatar

Ben, thanks for writing this article. I am a weed addict, 22 months & 1 day sober. I’m so grateful to say I’m now living a life beyond my wildest dreams. Before getting sober, I couldn’t get off the couch if it wasn’t to do the minimum amount of work to survive. Now, I’m living my dreams. These things are directly related. Your writing about your future dreams sent chills down my spine, man. Your honesty and self-reflection is better than any AI I’ve ever met. I can’t wait to see where this adventure takes you. You have a fan & friend in me!

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Ben Ulansey's avatar

Back at you, Cory! Thanks so much for all of your kind words and support throughout this. You and your adventure are a huge source of inspiration for me. Really appreciate everything you do on here man.

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Cory Vinny's avatar

🙏

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Linda Blatnik's avatar

Ben, So glad you wrote this. I went thru this with my husband, who was addicted. Don't let them tell you it's not addictive. He started having radical personality changes-- mellow one moment, agitated the next. The friend who grew it (illegal then) stopped giving it to us. It was rough but necessary to quit, then. He also smoked and eventually had to quit those too. I don't know what your personal relationships are, but hold onto them tight because you will need them. I am happy that you made this decision and I am so fucking rooting for you!

And please write more; you are a real talent!

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Ben Ulansey's avatar

Thanks so much for the kind words and support, Linda! I totally understand how hard that must have been for him. This week has been a real challenge for me so far, but I’ve got lots of great friends and support. I’m confident this will all start to feel easier. Hope your husband is doing better now!

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Linda Blatnik's avatar

Life dropped him off years ago, but he is always with me this way. Thanks.

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Lisa DeVuono's avatar

I have known and lost people because of their addiction to weed. I am so moved by your writing and creativity, your vulnerability, your raw honesty. Your gifts are so important and I am happy you have arrived at such clarity.❤️

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Ben Ulansey's avatar

Thanks so much for the kind words and support, Lisa! It really means the world. And I’m so sorry to hear you’ve lost friends to addiction, too!

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Brandon Ellrich's avatar

I could tell it was bothering you from our conversation a couple of weeks ago. I would support you no matter what, but I think this is a good decision.

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Ben Ulansey's avatar

It’s been a very long time coming and I know it has to happen. It’s definitely been a bit of a struggle though so far. Thanks so much for the kind words, Brandon!

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Parker McCoy's avatar

I usually only hear about benefits of weed in this day and age. Hehe. But if it's really stifling your creativity and putting you in the dumps, then maybe it's best to quit or at least only do it every now and then. I'm sure it's a hard one to quit. Good luck to you, Ben. You can do it.

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Ben Ulansey's avatar

Thanks for the kind words, Parker! I’ve actually been going to MA meetings to try to work through this, and it’s an incredibly recurrent theme that people have their very real and very crippling addictions invalidated because “weed’s not even a drug!” I’d hate to dismiss its medicinal value, because it is real and it’s something I’ve experienced. I certainly believe it should be widely legal and available. But for me, it’s become a major obstacle in the way of the life I want to live.

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Canadian Returnee's avatar

Weed can led to seeing stuff in bullet time or in 4D

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