I do agree with most of what you say (acid reflux is inherent to smoking in general, though; it's not specific to weed), but the point is that it's only problematic if it becomes a habit. It doesn't have to. If you were drinking as much as you were smoking, you would probably fare even worse, and I don't think alcohol has a lower potential for abuse; in fact, it is likely worse because it is not as strongly socially stigmatized.

Personally, I have rarely purchased weed myself, but I have consumed quite a bit because of many stoner friends. When they would share, I would never have the strength to refuse, but I could very much feel the impact the next day.

But I think that if you can manage the consumption just like you would do with alcohol, it's mostly fine. If you smoke a joint once every few weeks, the impact on your life is unlikely to be that bad. Of course the hard part is managing that, but it's true for alcohol as well…