Through my involvement in the cannabis industry, including my time as Executive Chairman of High Times, I gained firsthand exposure to both the promise and the complexity of cannabis reform. That perspective has informed not only my professional views but my personal choices as well.

Nearly a year ago, I stopped using cannabis altogether.

That decision came from reflection rather than politics. Only after stepping away did I fully understand how constant, habitual cannabis use had affected my own life. The impact was subtle while it was happening and unmistakable only in hindsight.

Cannabis does not affect everyone the same way. For some, occasional use remains manageable. In my case, however, regular use gradually diminished clarity, motivation, and emotional presence. It did not cause dramatic failure; it caused something quieter, a slow erosion of discipline and self-awareness that became clear only after it was no longer part of my daily routine.

Distance brought perspective.

Stepping away forced me to confront patterns I had previously rationalized. While cannabis was not the cause of my legal circumstances, I came to recognize how complacency and normalization can dull judgment over time and delay accountability. That distinction........

© International Business Times