My fingers, caked with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, were almost as red as my eyes were. The room was filled with hooded strangers and the bong was waiting to be cleared. Family Guy was playing loudly and Stewie was the only one brave enough to share his opinion. The smoky green haze was spinning around my clogged nostrils and I felt heavy with laziness. Bored of cartoons, I reached for the remote, but it was too far away. In the midst of this clouded condition I had a brief but powerful moment of clarity. Perhaps, I thought to myself, there is more to life than a comfortable couch, a nicely rolled spliff and cold AriZona Iced Teas. Maybe, just maybe, I should be doing something that actually matters. Of course, in that particular moment the couch was pretty damn comfortable and I procrastinated my productivity for another time.

Shortly after this revelation, I stopped smoking weed.

Our generation is facing a dangerous pot predicament. I’m not ultra-conservative or anti-drug, but I believe that excessive cannabis use has dangerous sociological concerns. With the possibility of legalization and an increase in medical marijuana use, we need to take a closer look at our relationship with cannabis.

Pot has the ability to destroy passion. I do not believe that marijuana has negative long-term health effects, but it causes something much worse: indifference. I appreciate the Spicoli-stoner attitude as much as the next guy, but when every conversation is reduced to a debate about the best strand of weed, I seriously question the value of stoned-out social interactions.

As I interviewed various weed-aficionados on campus, I noticed an alarming trend. First, the conversations never lasted more than five minutes (most were hurrying off to Cheba Hut) and second, almost every one of them admitted their noticeable lack of interest, but refused to change their habits.

Passion is what drives every human being to fulfillment and happiness. Smoking pot cannot be categorized as a passion. It is true that it may inspire creativity or accent certain interests such as film or music, but let’s be honest, when was the last time someone watched a movie baked out of their mind and actually remembered it?

I am bored of excessive pot smokers. Spare me the love-and-peace bullshit. I want to see people get upset about something. We can’t afford to sit in our apartments contemplating a better society as if we are John Lennon. We are students with the capacity to change the world and challenge our discontent with the status quo. Why should we waste our time with “highdeals” when we could actually act?

I should clarify that I do not think pot should be completely eliminated from society. One of my favorite poets, Allen Ginsberg, famously walked around with a sign that read “Smoking Pot Is Fun.” This is true and I think everyone should try it at least once. However, considering pot is 10 to 15 times stronger than it was in during the ’60s, I genuinely believe our smoking habits are out of hand.

Eugene has proudly earned the title Eugreen, but should we really be proud of our laziness and lack of motivation? I challenge chronic pot smokers to put down the bong, get off your ass and find something that interests you beyond your precious plant and Netflix subscription.