Seven Days
Vermont's Independent Voice
Dear Reverend,
I’ve never considered myself to be a big stoner, but I’ve gone through phases of smoking a lot of pot. I would still like to partake occasionally, but the stuff I’ve tried recently is too strong for me. I just want to get a little giggly, not have a mind-altering experience. I feel like since it’s become legal, marijuana doesn’t seem to be as much fun as it used to be. Am I just getting old?
Mary Jane
(woman, 49)
Dear Mary Jane,
You’re not being a fuddy-duddy. According to my not-so-scientific Google research, THC levels in cannabis flower used to average around 1 to 5 percent until the mid-1990s or so. Currently, that average is more like 10 to 30 percent. Combine that with the fact that your tolerance level probably isn’t what it used to be and it’s not surprising that you’ve found recent dabbling too potent.
The days of buying a ziplock baggie of mystery marijuana are long gone. There are so many different strains and strengths of cannabis available, but you need to do some research to find what works best for you. Luckily, dispensaries have knowledgable budtenders who can help you make sense of it all.
I’d suggest you stop at a few shops and talk to the employees about the effects you’re looking for. Purchase a small sampling of a few different things and give them a trial run. You’re bound to find something that tickles your fancy.
Breaking the rules or doing something you’re not supposed to do releases adrenaline and dopamine in the human brain. Being naughty always feels exciting. Legal weed may have lost its forbidden-fruit appeal, but there are plenty of pluses to outweigh that one minus.
I’m also willing to bet that when you used to smoke pot and get giggly, you were probably doing something goofy. So try to bring that back. Put on some happy music, get outside and go on an adventure walk, hang out with some silly friends.
Gettin’ high doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to have fun. Just like everything else in life, ya gotta put in the effort to get the best results.
Good luck and God bless,
The Reverend
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This article appears in April 15 • 2026.
What's your problem? Need some irreverent counsel on life's conundrums? You can always just "Ask the Rev." More by The Reverend
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