Despite the increasing nationwide popularity of legalizing marijuana, admitting use for recreational or medical purposes, especially among certain professions, still has stigma attached. Anti-marijuana groups often point to studies that suggest long-term use could result in a lack of motivation, seemingly claiming that there is no such thing as a functional pot user.

However, according to severalstudieson marijuana usein the U.S., at least 14 million Americans admit to smoking pot regularly -- and they can't all be couch potatoes.

The reality, as the secret-sharing app Whisper suggests below, is that the marijuana users are much more diverse than the "stoner" stereotype. They're doctors, teachers, preachers, computer programers, firefighters and even police officers.

Because of the anonymous nature of secret-sharing apps, the identities and jobs of these people -- and just how much marijuana they are actually consuming -- are impossible to confirm. But anonymity can allow people to open up about taboo subjects that they wouldn't otherwise feel comfortable sharing openly and can free them from the fears of facing retribution or shame from employers, families, friends or the federal government, which still bans the plant and classifies it as one of "the most dangerous" substances out there.

With that in mind, we present these confessions of marijuana users, via Whisper: