As I have stepped into the public arena as a cannabis wellness coach, I have focused on the science of cannabis in my blog posts. I want to put a personal perspective on that, sharing my experience and anecdotal experiences of clients in this and future articles.
Cannabis users are often portrayed as unmotivated, lazy "stoners." But research into why people use cannabis paints a different picture. It shows that most people use cannabis as a rational choice to improve their quality of life.
The first issue I typically encounter with a new client is fear. This fear comes from the propaganda that surrounds cannabis and other plant medicines. The fear of being seen as a “pothead” or “drug user”. I have had people whisper the word “cannabis” during a private consultation, as if they will be overheard and judged for it.
Cannabis has been used by humans for eons. In written history, it use dates back to at least 3000 BC. Archaeological evidence has proven its use before written history, with cannabis seeds and resin remnants discovered in ancient tombs and archaeologic digs that date back to 8000 BC. There is speculation that our ancient hunter/gatherer ancestors became agricultural in order to cultivate cannabis.
Aside from its use as medicine, it has been valued for its use for fiber and rope, as food and for its psychoactive properties for religious and recreational use.
In the early 1900’s, cannabis tinctures were readily found in retail markets. Doctors recommended this tincture to patients for a number of issues, including sleep, pain and female reproductive issues. In the 1930’s, hemp and cannabis became restricted, then outlawed. As in all things, you can follow the money to understand why this happened. About this time the American Medical Association became pharmaceutically driven and the availability of affordable cannabis tinctures undermined the profit of the pharmaceutical companies, so they used their influence with the government to make cannabis/hemp illegal. Racism and fear mongering were used as propaganda to stop hemp and cannabis use in the US, and the majority of the world soon followed.
We now live in a country where cannabis remains federally illegal, but legal at different levels (medical or recreational) in a number of states. Some countries have made it fully legal to use and grow cannabis for personal use. Research on the benefits of cannabis continues to grow as the potential for healing this plant holds becomes known to the public.
My Story of Cannabis Use
My personal story of cannabis use is one of pain control. For over a decade I was using 2000-2400 mg of ibuprofen a day to manage my hip pain. In 2015, on a retreat in Boulder, Colorado, I purchased an edible and experienced a mind-opening experience of what this plant could offer me. I became obsessed with learning everything I could, which led me to a cannabis coaching course, among other workshops and courses, that expanded my understanding and encouraged me to help others discover what this amazing plant ally can do for their health.
Since cannabis became medically legal in Utah, I have helped a number of people learn how to use cannabis for health and wellness. I have helped clients reduce the pharmaceuticals they take and get their lives back on a track of feeling good physically, mentally and spiritually. Cannabis is a personalized medicine, meaning each person needs to experiment with it to find the sweet spot that gives them relief. The beauty of cannabis is that, unlike pharmaceuticals, it doesn’t have a list of negative health affects. You can’t overdose or die using cannabis. You don’t become addicted to it as there is no withdrawal upon ceasing use. The worst case scenario is anxiety or an overwhelming need to sleep if you take too much. That is where I come in, to help people begin the process of understanding what the appropriate dose is for their body and needs.
My focus is on long term health and wellness. My desire is to help people rediscover wellness through the use of cannabis. This can be done without getting “high”. I see many pharmaceuticals as bandages, quick fixes that don’t offer real healing, and often lead the user to need other pharmaceuticals to “fix” the damage caused by previous pharmaceutical use, or to an addiction that can be destructive to life and health.
It doesn’t take much digging to see the power of big Pharma in our country. It runs the medical schools. It overrides the logic of good health practices such as healthy food, sufficient sleep, physical movement, breathing and mindfulness. These principles are not even discussed in medical schools. It is no wonder we are a country of overweight, badly nourished, stressed out people who are living longer than previous generations, but not living healthier.
If you are curious, I invite you to look into cannabis for health. Ignore the propaganda and fear mongering that still lingers, in spite of the abundance of research that shows the benefits of cannabis far outweigh any negative outcomes. If you’d like to learn more of how cannabis can benefit you personally, reach out for a consultation. I would be happy to guide you through the process. https://www.potentialforhealing.com/