Hey, what’s this basket for?

Written by, Loren N.

The monies collected during our Seventh Tradition ultimately goes to carrying the message of Marijuana Anonymous, not only locally, but worldwide. When this is hampered, the addict is the one who suffers or dies.

Most of us figured that the basket money went to rent, literature, coffee, and cookies. Whatever was left over would go to the district or World Services to pay their expenses, etc. Well folks, the “etc.” is carrying the message, and the message needs our combined support.

Let’s face it, the dollar cost of recovery is active addiction in MA is CHEAP! Under four hundred bucks a year if you go to a meeting every day and put a dollar is the basket. That wouldn’t buy you four sessions with a shrink. That wouldn’t have kept you loaded for a (check one) __ day, __ week, __ month. Think about how much you used to spend on insanity.

So please remember that our donations go far beyond just paying the rent. They save lives! So when the basket comes around and you’re clean, go ahead and double up or do whatever you can. And of course, if you’re clean and sober, you should just naturally pop the two bucks in the basket – one for each. 

Published in A New Leaf – June 1991

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    “Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy?” Published in A New Leaf – September 2025

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