The traditionally conservative New York Post ran a piece today by Sara Stewart about the emerging trend of NYC-based mothers increasingly using marijuana as their drug of choice, in lieu of alcohol and pills. Considering the tone of the newspaper and the stringent NYC laws surrounding marijuana (which now arrests and jails more people for possessing marijuana than any city in the U.S.), perhaps this article indicates much-needed change to come.
Keep your eye out for mention of our very own marijuana media mogul, Chris Goldstein.
And kudos to pithy Stewart who noted, “Motherhood, a famously competitive sport in this city.” So true, woman.
Erica, a resident of the trendy DUMBO neighborhood, is just like any other busy Brooklyn mom with a small child, juggling play dates, naptime, temper tantrums and PB&Js. The difference: She counters the daily chaos by lighting up a joint.
“I think it’s a pretty common thing,” confesses 33-year-old Erica (not her real name), mother to a 4-year-old daughter. “That’s how some mommies cope with stress.”
Motherhood, a famously competitive sport in this city — especially in the tonier neighborhoods of Brooklyn — seems to be sending increasing numbers of stressed-out women bong-ward. As marijuana grows in acceptance (it was just decriminalized in neighboring Connecticut earlier this month, and is legal for medicinal purposes in 16 states and in Washington, DC), the leafy green drug is becoming a hipper alternative to that old standby, alcohol.
“Some moms are drinking very early in the day, starting around 4,” says Erica, who says she isn’t a fan of getting plastered. “I would rather smoke a bowl, take the edge off and go about my day.”
Whenever the mood strikes when she’s home — “I don’t travel with it,” she says — she’ll take a hit or two and transform into Mellow Mom. “When you’re smoking, you’re on a different level,” she says. “Things don’t frustrate you as much.”
She’s in good company.