I look at no drugs AND no alcohol as ideal.
I see people who occasionally drink (weddings, friends over for dinner, watching the world series with friends) as one small step down, but fine. I see casual drinkers (weekend beer drinkers) as another step down. I see regular drinkers (a couple beers after work most days, shots on the weekend) as bad. And alcoholics wrecking other people's lives as unacceptable.
I see needing a drug for a condition as a small step down from ideal but still fine. I see occasional recreational use as a step down. I see regular recreational use as bad. And addicts are unacceptable.
I believe pot is addictive. I had a friend who always said it's not addictive finally one day admit it was.
I understand you have your own personal concept of morality and right and wrong. But I realized a long time ago that judging other people on their personal preferences, or their predicament in life, is not the right thing to do. To be 100% honest, I know a person who claims never to have smoked or had a drink or owned a pet; and he's a royal fuck-up.
Several years ago, I got into a debate with Memebag about running the A/C in his Miata with the top down on a hot day. I thought it was a stupid thing to do, and he famously said "Why is my comfort any of your concern?".
So, while I have no negative bias against a "straight edge" kind of person, I look at drinking and recreational smoking as no different than indulging in enjoyable food. I'd no sooner look down on someone having a drink than I'd chide them for having an unnecessarily rich, generous meal at a restaurant. Really, what's the difference? Does Hectic really need to have a big steak once in a while? Or indulge in German sausages? No. But I'm happy for him when he does, because he's enjoying life, and he has it under control.
Likewise, anyone who keeps their drinking or smoking under control is fine with me. It shows that they are enjoying life. Just like music. I love people who love music. And while I don't golf or boat, I'm happy for people who do those things too. And yes, while I've argued that people have been smoking at concerts since the 60s, I have never initiated it, and would be fine if people decided to have a drink or take an edible instead.
I honestly don't understand why you'd care if other people have a drink every day. I have a drink every day. And I have a couple on most weekend days (I haven't had "shots" since I was in college). According to your rating system, that puts me several steps down as a human. But why? I have my own rules I live by. I will never have a drink while I'm on the clock at work (even though we used to go out and drink for lunch on Fridays in the old days). And I won't have more than a drink or two. And nothing when I'm driving.
And what exactly is "addictive"? When I don't feel well, I might go a week without a drink. But otherwise, I have a drink every day. I know people who are the same way with smoking. But yes, people can be addicted to a number of things, including marijuana. Of course, that's not good.
