We all know that crack is bad news but when it comes to marijuana, the message is less clear. Even though students have had it drilled into their heads to just say no to all drugs, many don't see pot as hazardous. Talk about negative side-effects such as memory loss, depression, increased risk of heart attacks, respiratory illness and schizophrenia and youth either shrug these problems off or attribute them to conservative alarmism. Perhaps our attitude to the drug has become a little too lax.

* Ashley, 18, North Toronto: "I've been smoking for maybe four years. I'm sure they know but my parents have never said anything about it.... They know I wouldn't take it too far. I know my own limits and I don't always get so stoned that I can't function. I still know what's going on; it's just that everything is more enjoyable and you appreciate things more. To a certain extent, society would be better if everyone smoked pot, because everyone would be more chill, be willing to talk to anyone and not be so agitated."

* Shida, 18, North Toronto: "I've been smoking marijuana for six years. My parents don't mind. My dad actually smokes. I'm a hippie child and I like being a hippie child. I know most side effects. Most of them aren't negative. I think it should be decriminalized. I will never give up pot, never. I think doing it just adds to your life experience....I'm not addicted. I stopped for an entire summer. I don't do any other drugs."

* Jean-Philippe, 19, Broadview Village: "I don't even smoke during the week. I can't work when I'm high. My parents smoke. My dad will roll a spliff and, if I'm around, he offers some to me. It's just part of life, like having a glass of wine at dinner....A lot of what you learn from the media is blown up. In school, they teach you pot's bad, it's very dangerous, all these facts that aren't necessarily true. Yeah, you get the munchies, that's true. I think you become psychotic if you don't smoke."

* Etienne, 19, Leslieville: "I try not to do it around kids (or) old people, and try to be respectful of those around me....There's so many different studies coming out that say pot can fight brain cancer and that it's good for cancer in general. It can help arthritis and it can help people with Parkinson's. It can do a bunch of things."

* Robbie, 19, The Junction: "It seems odd that alcohol and tobacco are legal while marijuana isn't. As long as what you're doing isn't harming anyone, why should it be against the law?"