Well... for one thing, if you just order people not to do something, or even try to scare them out of it - that was a big part of those classes - then it'll put some people off, but it'll only make others more curious. Especially kids and teenagers.
Speaking of which, it definitely didn't help the efficacy of those classes that they were based super heavily around the idea that there was an epidemic of weed usage among teenagers, and treating it as incredibly likely or inevitable that the kids listening would at some point be approached by a peer trying to coerce them into using it. ...Which just told them that, hey, apparently everyone is using weed, and... I mean, you can probably see how that'd backfire with kids. [The corner of his mouth quirks into a faint smile.]
As for the effects, uh... I want to say "not really", but a more accurate answer would probably be "it depends". It's usually not harmful, but its effects can differ from person to person, and depending on the strain - for example, it can act as a depressant for some people, and a stimulant for others. For some people it relaxes them, for others it can set off anxiety or paranoia.
Historically speaking, however, its suppression and the scares around it have been more political than out of genuine medical concern; it's developed an association with some groups considered undesirables, [heavy air quotes as he says that] so the government jumps on the opportunity to take its use or possession as an excuse to prosecute members of those groups.
...That said, most people without a vested interest in these topics don't know that, so... if, for example, Jane isn't aware of that element and only understands it as a dangerous drug she was told to avoid? I can't blame her.
[Trust Grant to give a very indepth explanation on the entire thing, from the proper side effects of such a plant, to how it was truly received, and even the political motivations behind it all. Truly, it's one of the reasons that Dimitri loves him so much. He is not only so knowledgeable, but delights in giving every detail that he knows.]
[A wonderful and kind soul, to be sure.]
I see. Indeed, it all makes sense, as you said.
In that case, it does make a little bit of a difficult thing to handle, I suppose... I can imagine many institutions in Faerghus falling into the similar trap. [They already do it with a ton of other things, after all.] I suppose the best thing would to simply treat it as rather ordinary in a class on health, or plantlife, yes...?
[Grant, in turn, could not be more thrilled to have found partners who not only indulge his rambling, but actually seem to invite and enjoy it.]
That's what I'd recommend, yeah; just a frank discussion of what this is, how it works, potential risks of exposure - oh, and safety measures for if they do use it. People who want to discourage it altogether will claim that's "encouraging" its use, but the fact is, people are going to do what they do; it's better to give them a lifeline than just tell them not to end up in the water, y'know?
Oh, the church would most certainly protest that, for indeed the reasons you mention. [Dimitri has absolutely no doubt about that.] Still, if it is as Felix and Claude and Sylvain have all said, then perhaps they will be in too much of a state of disarray for it to matter much.
[Maybe they'd be so busy pulling themselves back together that Dimitri could very well sneak some things through before they had time to notice. It might be a little difficult, considering he has no idea what the political state of the nobility would be at that point in time, since he hasn't lived to that reality yet, but... It's a potential!]
[For now, he just leans in to kiss Grant on the cheek.]
At any rate, thank you for the explanation, Anliuka. I am glad to have learned even more.
Mm, that's true. When the church is in chaos might be a good time to... y'know, get things set up to actually disseminate information. ...If you can get around everyone else who'd have a problem with it.
[If only there were only one group at a time who stood to benefit from the ignorance of the common people.
Grant smiles, a faint flush crossing his cheeks, and turns to kiss Dimitri's nose.] Any time.
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no subject
Speaking of which, it definitely didn't help the efficacy of those classes that they were based super heavily around the idea that there was an epidemic of weed usage among teenagers, and treating it as incredibly likely or inevitable that the kids listening would at some point be approached by a peer trying to coerce them into using it. ...Which just told them that, hey, apparently everyone is using weed, and... I mean, you can probably see how that'd backfire with kids. [The corner of his mouth quirks into a faint smile.]
As for the effects, uh... I want to say "not really", but a more accurate answer would probably be "it depends". It's usually not harmful, but its effects can differ from person to person, and depending on the strain - for example, it can act as a depressant for some people, and a stimulant for others. For some people it relaxes them, for others it can set off anxiety or paranoia.
Historically speaking, however, its suppression and the scares around it have been more political than out of genuine medical concern; it's developed an association with some groups considered undesirables, [heavy air quotes as he says that] so the government jumps on the opportunity to take its use or possession as an excuse to prosecute members of those groups.
...That said, most people without a vested interest in these topics don't know that, so... if, for example, Jane isn't aware of that element and only understands it as a dangerous drug she was told to avoid? I can't blame her.
no subject
[A wonderful and kind soul, to be sure.]
I see. Indeed, it all makes sense, as you said.
In that case, it does make a little bit of a difficult thing to handle, I suppose... I can imagine many institutions in Faerghus falling into the similar trap. [They already do it with a ton of other things, after all.] I suppose the best thing would to simply treat it as rather ordinary in a class on health, or plantlife, yes...?
no subject
That's what I'd recommend, yeah; just a frank discussion of what this is, how it works, potential risks of exposure - oh, and safety measures for if they do use it. People who want to discourage it altogether will claim that's "encouraging" its use, but the fact is, people are going to do what they do; it's better to give them a lifeline than just tell them not to end up in the water, y'know?
no subject
[Maybe they'd be so busy pulling themselves back together that Dimitri could very well sneak some things through before they had time to notice. It might be a little difficult, considering he has no idea what the political state of the nobility would be at that point in time, since he hasn't lived to that reality yet, but... It's a potential!]
[For now, he just leans in to kiss Grant on the cheek.]
At any rate, thank you for the explanation, Anliuka. I am glad to have learned even more.
no subject
[If only there were only one group at a time who stood to benefit from the ignorance of the common people.
Grant smiles, a faint flush crossing his cheeks, and turns to kiss Dimitri's nose.] Any time.