The Cannabis Corner: AW
Okay boo, tell the people about yourself.
“I’m 32 years old, a college instructor and an occasional writer & editor.”
What made you start taking cannabis?
“I was 21 when I first smoked. Mostly then it was just something to try in my last year of undergrad. But those first few times I didn’t really get high. I didn’t start smoking for real until I was 23 or 24. At the time I was in my graduate program and I took a class on the rhetoric of science. The prof required us to write about the language and motive behind some scientific phenomenon, and I was interested in the way the government used language to demonize and criminalize marijuana. The history and hypocrisy behind the prohibition of marijuana was stunning and of course racially motivated. And after learning about all the medicinal benefits that’s been buried under all that racist rhetoric, it enraged me to know that we still considered this a schedule I drug. After that research, I admittedly became a bit of a stoner, but also an advocate. Especially as a grad student living alone in a somewhat strange place, weed became my escape and I embraced the stoner label and culture. But the advocacy came that following semester when I joined an internship with the Drug Policy Alliance.”
Beautifully said! I actually was researching that myself not too long ago and might do a post on it. So how would you say your quality of life has been since you started taking cannabis?
“I mean, my life certainly hasn’t gotten worse since being a smoker. Like, it’s not a gateway drug that’s led me to heroin or meth. My brain on drugs doesn’t resemble a disheveled and smashed-to-bits kitchen from the late 90s. But I won’t say that I owe my life’s success to weed. But it’s made me more open minded, more compassionate, more aware of the bullshit rhetoric used to demonize weed (and any drug use, honestly).”
Absolutely understood. And yes there is so much work to be done to get rid of the stigma that surrounds the use of cannabis due to that rhetoric. What’s your go to method for enjoying?
“Smoking is my preference. If I can make or get edibles, I may choose it depending on how I feel. But smoking is my main method.”
You like indica or sativa strains better? Have a favorite?
“I’m beginning to prefer indicas all of a sudden. Don’t get me wrong I love a good sativa, especially during the day. But indicas seem to hit my body a bit better than sativas. I don’t think I have a favorite strain. Though I am becoming a fan of Runtz.”
Are you a functional smoker?
“Very. Possibly even too functional, if that’s possible. I have ADD, which I’ve been treating with meds since I was 15. When I smoke, I can really get locked in to whatever it is I have to do that day. Let it be a sativa and I’m focused and full of ideas of how to create something or do my job.”
Yea, I’d love to have a conversation with people who think people who take cannabis are lazy lol you have a specific playlist you like to listen to?
“Nah, put my whole library on shuffle and let the randomness take me away. Or, give me my podcasts for the week and I’m good. (Bodega Boys, The Read, The Right Time with Bomani Jones)”
When the munchies hit, what do you grab?
“French fries or fruit snacks.”
Prefer solo smoking or with friends?
“Solo, or with my partner. Since the pandemic, smoking with others just doesn’t sit right with me.”
Every day smoker or as needed?
“I took Nate Dogg’s advice and I smoke every day.”
Haha! I love it. How would you describe your worst experience?
“Okay, yeah. I definitely passed out once when I smoked in the morning without having eaten yet. I was standing up, passing the J to my now-boyfriend, and then my mind started to feel fuzzy and fade to black. I fell back and into his record player. He leapt up out of his chair to try and catch me from hitting my head on the corner of the record player stand. I was so embarrassed but he started to take care of me, and later took me to Waffle House to finally eat something. I still have a scar on my back from the fall. The good thing to come out of that is that I know I’m in good hands when I get a bit too high.”
Awww! A king! Keep him lol what about your best experience?
“I’d say any of the sessions I had with folks (pre-COVID, of course) where we were all packed in some small space and we just let our laughter and smoke fill the air. I grew closer to a lot of folks because of smoke sessions.”
Beautiful. Any advice for someone who is looking to try?
“Do your research. I hate sounding like someone who actually doesn’t do any critical thinking, but for real, do your own reading about weed to make that call for yourself. Listen to people, watch documentaries, read the studies that show its medicinal benefits and life-saving tendencies. Don’t just do it because everyone else is. Know yourself and understand why you gravitate toward it. And please be safe!”
Thank you!!