[moxiesurf]

Bruce,
As far as athletes are concerned, I was thinking about American world class skiiers and snowboarders who are very healthy and train, but no where near the extent that their competitors in Europe or professional basketball players do. The lifestyle of the sport is different; it's less hectic and takes place outdoors in rural areas. Marijuana can be used for focus and contemplation in sports or other pursuits. I don't think marijuana needs to be addictive or lead to other drugs. I don't believe that marijuana, or alcohol, or other substances are the cause of addictive behavior.

While I believe in the need for macrobiotics in our modern lifestyle, I don't think it is a solution to problems that humans have encountered thoughout history. From my religious standpoint, the problem is the fall of man, our alienation from God and need to maintain our egotistic will. Marijuana use can bring to the surface and sometimes exacerbate problems with the ego, while at the same time allowing a clearer understanding of these problems so that they can be dealt with sooner. I don't think that is a foolish use of marijuana; in fact I think it can be very beneficial to ourselves and relationships with others.

I am quite sure that a healthy person who follows a macrobiotic diet can also smoke marijauna occasionally simply because they "enjoy it". I don't think it necessarily contributes to an unbalanced lifestyle but rather, one less rigid.