I think that it's different for everyone. I think that cannabis could be a good tool in helping someone meditate or further what they get out of their meditation sessions. I, however, choose to meditate sober; the whole point of meditation for me is to be able to be aware and accepting of all my emotional states without any help from any substances or distractions (i.e. friends, family, TV). Although I'm sure some ganja would help me relax and 'space out', I feel that it wouldn't be a true accomplishment, and that any time I would like to use what I've learned in meditation, I wouldn't be able to without toking up first. But that might just be me

Well as someone who has meditated both while under the influence and not, and only able to speak for myself rather than make any broad sweeping statements about what is or is not possible regarding meditation (as such would be both outside my experience and frankly the scope of my or frankly the knowledge of most individuals in this day and age including, imho a couple of ex-stoners teaching meditation) the experience is simply different, not better or worse.

The shamanic experience, that of the "vegitalista" is not to be scoffed at, belittled or looked down upon as inferior to the non-entheogen user. That said, without any kind of initiation or training, wandering in without any roadmap might not be of practical value, unless one is gifted with a superlative sense of discipline, creativity and imagination and is some kind of natural shaman which, I would assume, most of us are not.

But this talk of a "right way" is, frankly, sounding more than a touch patronizing... I don't know if you intend it that way, but for those of us who have meditated before and do know a little about the subject and that meditation is more than just guided imagining or mindful thinking...well, that's how it comes off. It tends to put people on the defensive when put that way.