The use of marijuana has been linked to many terrible things in the media, including hitting small kids with your car when getting take out food. The government's newest argument for you to put down the joint? Getting high kills your video game skills.

"Getting high affects your brain in ways that may directly influence your gaming ability, many of the skills required for winning a background, defeating an opponent, beating games, in addition to safe driving and other tasks" the Above the Influence website states. "These effects can last up to 24 hours after smoking." You can look at terribly animated "video game characters" talking about how terrible smoking is on the site, if you'd like. I don't recommend it.

While I've never been one for inhaling plants, I can tell you that there does seem to be a correlation between gaming performance and a minor level of intoxication. In Guitar Hero, for example, my gaming group has often witnessed a sharp spike in skills following the consumption of one or two mixed drinks. This is a dangerous strategy to achieving a high score, however, as there is a sharp decline in ability after the fourth of fifth drink.

Using performance enhancing drugs is always a tight-rope walk, it seems.

I'm not sure if this campaign is going to keep gamers from blazing a J (do people still say that?) while they plunder Azeroth, but at least the government is trying. I'll throw the question out to the readers: do you feel like the use of marijuana impairs your gaming ability, and does it keep you from indulging while playing your favorite game? Sound off.