People are not what they seem to be.

Apparently such is the case with some of my work colleagues. Last night I joined an all girl's night at my colleague's house for a fondue party. Lotsa chocolate and cheese dipping and maybe some drinks. Why not, right? Sounds like good decent fun.

Well, I didn't expect to make my first encounter with illegal substances there as well. I went down to the basement to play pool and chat. There was this group of girls passing around a rolled-up cigarette among themselves. I was thinking, "Man.....that's kinda gross, sharing among 8+ people. Why don't they just make their own individual cigarette?" <--- Note: I thought it was your regular Malboro.

Later on, I learn you share stuff that cost quite a bit of $. And most people don't bother to make their own tobacco cigarettes.

A-ha moment.

"Eh.....what happens if the police raided the place? What happens to people like me who didn't smoke that stuff but just happened to be around?"

Apparently, I would have been guilty of constructive possession. As quoted by online buddy, Da Rabid Duckie based on his nifty criminal law textbook:

"The issue of constructive possession could easily be proved by the fact that 1) you knew about it, 2) made no attempt to protest, including but not limited to leaving, and 3) had a "special relationship" with the people involved (meaning they invited you into their home, therefore assuming care over you) would definitely provide enough evidence, especially considering that second-hand smoke from marijuana can be just as potent as smoking it.

Fortunately, while you would have been arrested, it's likely that no charges could be placed because while there was constructive possession the fact that you didn't know what it was classifies it as mere possession, which is not enough to make it a criminal offense because most states (except for North Dakota and Washington) states that you have to know what it is for it to be "knowing possession" However, had you known what it was, it would have been enough for a conviction... meaning you'll be arrested considering that you do know now.

So, say this happens again... in order for you to not get in trouble you would have to:

1) State aloud that you're against it.
2) Leave the premises.
3) Report it. If you don't report it, all someone has to do is say you were there and there would be enough for an obstruction charge, because again, since you were at the home you had a "special relationship", meaning that you had a legal duty to report any crimes you witnessed. Now, had you been outside and seen it before you entered and then left without reporting it, you'd be home free since there was no "special relationship" making you liable."

Crud. I get arrested for being clueless?! Man, it's not my fault I grew up never encountering stuff like this. I think the worst thing my buddies at Malaysia ever did as a group was smuggling a friend out from the house without her mum's permission!

I told that group that you can be hanged for possession of cocaine alone in Malaysia and they were like "Holy c###, you're crazy!!"

Eh...maybe you guys are the crazy ones. I have to admit that I never expected some of my friends to do stuff like this. "Don't judge books by their covers," I've been told but I like to give ppl the benefit of doubt, you know what I mean? Ah anyway, I sincerely don't understand the enthusiasm for drugs and booze. What's so cool about embarassing yourself by doing stupid things, sticking your head in the toilet bowl to puke and having a thumping headache the next day?

But, I know that I'm not completely innocent. I'm guilty of taking in a little bit more alcohol than I intended that night. Honestly, I completely forgot that wine/champage has more alcohol than your regular beer (baka no Mave!). I think I downed ~ 3-4 glasses of wine, which is more than I've ever done my whole life I think.

In summary, last night, Mave inhaled second hand marijuana smoke, heard lotsa rough talk (profanity), drank too much wine and drove friends home in a highly probable buzzed condition, which I recall feels like a thumping headache + light-headedness. How depressing.

Da Rabid Duckie adds:

And of course, the easiest thing would to be: 4) Just don't even go there anymore.

You bet I won't.