“I will always remember my first Marijuana Anonymous meeting. I was scared and nervous, but I remember all of that melting away as the meeting started. Soon I realized, ‘this is where I need to be.’”

– Sharing Our Experience, Strength, and Hope, Personal Stories of Marijuana Addicts, MA pamphlet

I remember my first MA meeting; I was in a very confused and depressed place. I couldn’t imagine how to let go of marijuana, but I knew I had to if I wanted to have a better life. I had just had a brief stay in a psych ward and I recognized even then that marijuana heavily contributed to that bottom. When I entered the meeting, I felt welcomed and comfortable. My thoughts were like a tornado, but the people there had a calmness that helped me stay through the meeting. I heard the Steps for the first time. They were daunting, overwhelming, and filled with the promise of hard work but also reward. I wanted to be on the other side of the Steps, living a better life but I didn’t know how to get there or if I actually could.

The people at the meeting stood out to me. Their recovery and wisdom were powerful and tangible. I was in a great fog and seemingly stuck in my ways, but I still noticed how positively they talked of change and overcoming life’s hard times. They were free, confident, relaxed, and grounded; I wanted that too. I had a few good conversations in that room, and I left feeling more worthy and capable of making the changes needed. I was doubtful, but I kept coming back and I started to see real benefits in my life from MA meetings and working the Steps.

Final thought: Today, I have the opportunity to pay it forward and help newcomers feel safe, too. I can share some of my hope, strength, and experience and do service. Any marijuana addict can also have serenity in their lives one day at a time, thanks to MA.