When I was young alcohol was legal for over 18. Marijuana was illegal. That factor alone was enough as I was a rule follower, but I also had a family that strongly discouraged any drug use with the story about "Gateway Drugs"
- as they sipped their martinis and beers...
I tried marijuana a few times over the years and just found it increased my paranoia so I never used it regularly. To each their own poison.
I'm glad you're trying to unravel that twisted yarn between your ears! That's pretty important, and tends to be a lifelong worthy pursuit.