(Ghost OG)
Weed, marijuana, pot, reefer, grass, bud, doja, giggle bush, ism, buddha, etc. Cannabis probably has more nicknames/synonyms than any other word in the English language. But what does it mean to you?
For some its the key to relaxation after a long stressful day. For others, Cannabis may be the only thing that stops their child's severe seizures or the only drug that allows a cancer patient enough appetite to eat. Artists use it as a creative tool and it is known to be a potent aphrodisiac. Cannabis seems to be the closest thing to a "cure-all" we've ever seen in medicine (as far as I'm aware) and why it's illegal is a topic I'll discuss in another post.
MEDICINAL VALUE
(Cannabisculture.com)
Our species has been using cannabis as a medicine for millennia! Cannabidiol, THC, and other cannibinoids are all neuroprotective antioxidants. This means that, contrary to the popular lie many of us were told as children, not only does cannabis NOT kill brain cells, it protects the brain and may even assist in neurogenesis (the birth of new brain cells).
I would like to take a moment to point out that smoking, eating heated cannabis, and eating raw cannabis are 3 very different things; each is medicinal but in varying ways and intensities. Smoking cannabis can be excellent for people suffering with anxiety or even that cancer patient who can't eat without it but what about the cancer itself? Studies have shown that "Rick Simpson Oil", which is essentially a brand name for a concentrated raw cannabis oil, can shrink tumors in cancer patients with zero chemotherapy sessions, zero radiation, and zero pills. This is such a groundbreaking discovery in human history that it is bound to be a controversial topic. I implore you to research this issue yourself, videos of THC killing cancer cells can be found on Youtube (and hopefully Dtube soon!).
INDUSTRIAL HEMP
(nationalhempassociation.org)
In the 1930s, when cannabis was outlawed in the United States, hemp posed a major threat to the timber industry. It is twice as strong as wood, it reaches maturity much faster than trees and an acre of hemp produces as much paper as 4 acres of trees. It is truly a shame that we destroy our beautiful forests when we have a far better alternative that thrives in most parts of the world.
Hemp is used to make 100s of things including clothes, plastics, bio-fuel, hempcrete, and even food for pets and humans! Hemp seeds contain every essential amino acid and are an excellent source of protein. I will gives my thoughts on why hemp is not being used universally in place of lumber in another post.
RECREATIONAL USE
(pinterest.com)
Cannabis is the safest drug known to man (Psilocybin is a close 2nd), it is impossible to overdose on cannabis because you simply can't consume enough to depress your central nervous system. Cannabis is non-toxic and even when smoked in extreme excess is causes little to no harm to the human body. But as with everything else cannabis works more effectively in moderation.
In America and maybe other parts of the world, there is a stigma surrounding the idea that a medicine can be recreational. This is largely due to the propaganda spread by the U.S. government in order to discourage people from using drugs like cannabis and LSD; that obviously failed miserably.
I say why shouldn't medicine be fun? Bettering your body and mind releases serotonin (the happy hormone), so it only makes sense that a natural medicine would make you high. Jaguars eat yage leaves (plants containing high amounts of DMT) to cleanse their digestive system but are noticeably affected psychologically as well. Some believe they use this as a performance enhancing drug for hunting. People use cannabis to inspire themselves creatively but also to unwind and have great laughs with family and friends and its nice to see that society is starting to realize that's okay.
REHABILITATION
This is a big issue that doesn't get discussed often enough : recovery. In the U.S., our system has a "tough love" approach when it comes to drugs and it simply doesn't work. Addiction is way more complex than we understand and treatment is almost impossible for the average addict to afford. Cannabis and other psychedelics help a lot of addicts recover and live a normal life they are happy with. My own father has been clean from alcohol for over 2 years after drinking his whole life and he uses cannabis to fight his nerve pain and muscle cramps.
So what does Cannabis mean to you?
Thanks for reading!
In the famous words of Doug Benson, "I'd like to congratulate drugs for winning the war on drugs."
