I smoked first when I was a young teen, when I was 18 I actually quit toking for 8 years. I didn't really drink/drunk much for a few years as well. I think when I quit it was mostly because of the scene around people i knew who smoked. Many did other drugs I would never try or just became someone I did not want to be around and I didn't want to chill with those people. I guess I was somewhat anti weed during this time.
When I was in my early 20's I started smoking again. After learning a lot more I didn't think it was a bad thing to do a little or a lot of. The media/DARE had a lot to do with why I wanted to try and why I was scared of cannabis at the time.