April 17, 2018
There is much said about educating people on the harms of cannabis.
According to some scientific studies that are prolific in the media, cannabis can lead to psychosis – especially in youth. It can also be harmful to the developing brain and should not be used by those under the age of 25.
There are other scientific studies that show these results are inconclusive and other studies that show the opposite, though they receive very little media coverage.
It seems the government and media are doing a good job of presenting the risks involved with cannabis, but when was the last time you saw a headline claiming the benefits of cannabis?
After all, why would so many people consume cannabis, over and over again, if they did not feel something positive from the experience?
You hear the horror stories of someone’s bad experience with cannabis which could include nausea, paranoia, anxiety or sleep. But cannabis is used medicinally to prevent naseau, treat anxiety and stress, so how can it both induce and prevent at the same time?
Education should be about teaching people that cannabis affects everyone differently. Dosage, product, strain, and method play the biggest role in how you will feel the effects. The mantra, “Start Low And Go Slow” should be drilled into everyone’s head until they find the optimum dose and reap all the benefits without the negative side effects. Telling people to start with 5 or 10 mg or cannabis should be a well known fact.
Many people who consume the right dose and strain of cannabis feel relaxed, happy, and mindful. Some people experience reduced pain, better sleep and are able to reduce other medications when using cannabis. Cannabis can elevate one’s mood and frame of mind, and reduce the need for anti-depressants.
Education should be all about dosing, strains, the right levels of THC / CBD, methods of consumption, and set and setting. Just like school, the education presented so far does little to prepare consumers for the real world, or how to actually consume cannabis safely and responsibly.
Let’s get beyond the harms of cannabis, though it’s always wise to state the risks, and educate consumers on how to have an enjoyable experience consuming cannabis.
Debra Harper