I am blogging because my daughter wants to know more about my history and what "made" me so I am including everything I can think of. Please, don't be judgmental.

High school in the late 1970s was a wild ride, especially in New Jersey. The cultural landscape was shifting-disco, rock, punk-all influencing the choices we made as teenagers. For many of us, this was also a time of experimentation, especially with marijuana. Getting high was often seen as a rite of passage, a way to bond with friends, rebel, or just have fun. Looking back now, I can see how those moments, while common and even exciting, shaped the person I became.

This is a reflection on my own high school experience of getting high in the late '70s in New Jersey. It's not meant to glorify those choices, but to offer insight into the pressures, culture, and experiences that many teens, including myself, faced during that time.

The Cultural Context of High School in New Jersey in the Late '70s

The late '70s were a time of rapid change. New Jersey, being so close to New York City, felt the effects of shifting music scenes, social norms, and teenage rebellion in a powerful way. The influence of disco, rock ‘n’ roll, and emerging punk music created a unique atmosphere. High school during that time felt like a crossroads between the old and new, with students being pulled in every direction-whether it was through the influence of their parents, teachers, or peers.

For me and many others, part of that rebellion took the form of drugs. Marijuana, in particular, was making its way into high schools everywhere, and New Jersey was no exception. It was seen as relatively harmless compared to harder drugs, and it became part of the social scene. There was this unspoken understanding that getting high was just something you did if you wanted to be part of a certain crowd. You could find it easily-whether at parties, through older friends, or just hanging out in someone’s basement.

The social and political context of the time also played a role. The Vietnam War had ended only a few years earlier, and there was a lot of cynicism and distrust of authority. For many of us, getting high was a way to reject the systems we felt disconnected from-parents, school, the government. It was about pushing boundaries, even if we didn’t fully understand what those boundaries were at the time.

The First Time Getting High

The first time I got high was a pretty typical suburban New Jersey experience. A few friends and I were hanging out in a basement after school, just listening to music-probably some mix of Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, and maybe even a little disco creeping in (though we’d never admit it back then). One of my friends pulled out a joint, something he’d gotten from his older brother.

I was nervous, but I also didn’t want to seem like the odd one out. Peer pressure wasn’t direct, but it was always there in the background. I took a hit, and instantly felt a strange combination of relaxation and anxiety. I was more aware of everything-the music, the laughter of my friends, the way the smoke curled up toward the ceiling. It felt like we were in our own little world, completely separate from the responsibilities of homework, chores, and expectations.

That first high was mild but memorable. It wasn’t so much about the drug itself as it was about feeling like I was part of something bigger-this group of friends who all shared this secret, rebellious experience. In that moment, getting high seemed like the ultimate form of freedom, even if it was fleeting.

The Social Aspect: How Drugs Became Part of the High School Experience

Once you had tried it, getting high became part of the routine. It wasn’t necessarily an everyday thing, but it wasn’t rare either. Friday nights often meant house parties, and with the parents out of town, basements became prime territory for lighting up. Cars, parks, and even quiet corners of the school grounds became places where we would sneak off to smoke.

Getting high wasn’t just about the drug-it was about the bonds you formed with others who were doing it too. It felt like we were in on something secret, something our parents and teachers didn’t know about (though they probably did). Those who didn’t get high often seemed like they were missing out, like they didn’t understand what we were trying to escape from.

In retrospect, it’s clear that a lot of that camaraderie was shallow, built more on the act of getting high than on any real connection. But at the time, it felt meaningful. Whether it was during a long, hazy car ride or a late-night conversation in someone’s backyard, those were the moments that made high school bearable, or even fun.

The Effects and Impact on Academics, Relationships, and Life

Of course, there were consequences, even if we didn’t fully realize them at the time. I remember thinking that getting high wasn’t affecting my schoolwork, but looking back, I can see how my focus shifted. Skipping class to get high or spending more time hanging out than studying definitely impacted my grades. My teachers noticed, my parents noticed, and eventually, I had to face the fact that I wasn’t living up to my potential.

Socially, things changed too. While getting high brought me closer to certain people, it also pushed me away from others. Friends who weren’t into drugs drifted away, and my relationships with them faded. Even my relationship with my family became strained as they started to suspect what was going on. It wasn’t long before the consequences of my choices started to outweigh the fun of those high moments.

Romantic relationships weren’t easy to navigate either. Getting high sometimes made it hard to connect on a deeper level, and looking back, I can see that a lot of my relationships during that time were surface-level, based more on shared rebellion than on any real emotional bond.

New Jersey’s Drug Culture and Access

In New Jersey in the late ‘70s, marijuana was easy to come by. Older kids, older siblings, and even some adults were more than willing to supply it. The sense of risk was always there, but it didn’t feel like a big deal in the moment. Sure, there were rumors of kids getting caught or busted by the cops, but it felt distant, like something that wouldn’t happen to us.

That being said, there was always that nagging fear of getting caught. Whether it was by a teacher, a parent, or a police officer, the worry was always in the back of our minds. But in the haze of a Friday night high, that fear often faded away, replaced by a feeling of invincibility. We thought we were untouchable.

Today, with marijuana laws in New Jersey having changed, it’s strange to think back on those days. What felt so rebellious then is now legal for recreational use, and it’s hard to imagine how different things might have been if we had grown up in today’s world.

Looking Back: Regrets, Lessons, and Wisdom Gained

When I look back at those years, there’s definitely a mix of nostalgia and regret. Getting high was a part of my high school experience that shaped who I was, for better or worse. It brought me closer to certain people, and it taught me a lot about rebellion and the consequences of my choices.

But there are definitely things I would have done differently. I let getting high take priority over things that mattered more-my education, my relationships, and my future. It was fun in the moment, but it wasn’t worth the long-term impact it had on my life at the time.

If I could go back and talk to my teenage self, I’d tell him to slow down. To not feel like he had to get high to fit in or be cool. I’d remind him that there are other ways to connect with people, other ways to rebel, and other ways to deal with the pressures of high school.

Conclusion

High school in the late ‘70s was a time of exploration, rebellion, and making mistakes. For me, getting high was part of that journey. While it wasn’t the best decision I made, it was a choice that helped shape my life in ways I couldn’t fully understand at the time.

Looking back, I can see the highs and lows of those experiences more clearly. Getting high didn’t define me, but it was part of my story. And for anyone going through similar experiences today, I hope my story serves as a reminder that while teenage experimentation is common, the choices you make today can have lasting effects on your future.