well lets look at my case, which i presented to my anti-marijuana aunt on my wedding night.
I told her that for years after my moms death people had (still do but not so much since i started smoking pot! takes time 2 heal) told me that i must be in a state of depression and should get checked out. I didnt feel like it though. i felt "normal" or at least as normal as i could be. When she passed away my 1 sister turned to meth, my other turned to alcohol as did my dad (he as sober 8 years) but i shunned myself into a hole away from friends and the majority of my family. When i was a teen i was a happy go lucky, fun loving "jock" that would get the most excitement out of life. I turned into an asshole, kinda like a prick or as some have recently said i was "stuck up" but i wasnt. I was depressed and didnt know it.
As i kept getting deeper into depression i became someone else, someone i never really wanted to be and had no idea i had become until i found marijuana. i was 30 when i first smoked pot and it was a revelation! I felt as if i were an 18 year old again with nothing but happy thoughts. It really leveled me out and brought ME back. From time to time i still get depressed but thats due to my dads passing this past October 31st. But that too shall heal and only with the help of Marijuana. I refuse pills as im not big on meds unless im absolutely in dire need!
Hope this makes sense, got quite the headache and dizziness goin on due to me being sick. I can say without a doubt that marijuana has saved my life and my relationship with my wife, though we barely got married weve been together some 13 years.