Last night, I was waiting for the bus at my usual stop on the capital square and I smelled something funny. I saw some people smoking inside the bus stop, a general no-no but people do it anyway. It smelled off, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt and assumed it was just a cheap cigar.

Then I saw how they were holding it and passing it.

Then I did a double take on the smell.

Then I heard someone say, “Where that blunt at?”

Then I knew.

Madison is liberal, but neither the city nor the county nor the state have lax laws on marijuana so what would give people the gusto to be smoking it in a highly trafficked space downtown? It wasn’t just two or three people, there were about ten passing it around. Not young people, but old. At least, older than me.

I don’t get it. I really don’t. Even if it was legal in the state, I wouldn’t want any. It smelled like shit. I can only imagine it tastes like shit too. But more importantly, don’t do it near me. I’m not a narc but I considered flagging down a cop. I didn’t, because ultimately I didn’t feel like ruining their day, but the thought did cross my mind.

Don’t do drugs. Stay in school.