And in important question and observation: there virtually no high the first couple, three, four times. And then the high comes with use. Why is that. And you can pick it up years later and there is an immediate high. Sure sounds like the human body, brain, changes and it is permanent. Just my own experiences.
And now that it is legal, it has gotten a lot stronger and is available in different forms. It is no longer in natural form and has been refined and “distilled” and genetically selected and altered for strength. Whatever “minimal” risks that existed years ago are increased many times because of the refinement. Which raises the question: if there were health benefits back in the day are they lost because of the recent refinements with the primary goal being the high.
I've found myself being more creative and usually more motivated when indulging if I'm enjoying something that challenges my mind, or even reading a book. Not everyone has the same reaction to smoking, short or long term.
Again I will point out that your spiel about potency is backwards at best. Nothing personal. If you drink a 12 oz beer, it's not the same as drinking 12 oz of White Lightning, is it? You would do a 1oz shot and that is somewhat equivalent to a can of beer (ok, considering the percentage of actual alcohol, maybe 2-3 cans of beer, but you get it). Same concept for modern cannabis, which runs in the high 30% THC content range.
I indulged in just as potent weed back in the 80’s. Wasn't as widespread as it is now. Even back then, you pretty much know when you've had enough, at least for most people. You don't simply continue smoking until you pass out, like drinkers may do, and needle users regularly do. Doesn't work like that. I'll ask this again, do you get the meaning behind “one hit sh*t”? Means that did the trick, don't need another puff, or even if I do smoke more, I've plateaued to the point that continuing to smoke more has no additional effect.
Making it more potent leaves me having to smoke less, which in effect, is a “positive” overall, all things considered.