A reminder that this article from our mag Visions was published more than than one year agone. It is here for reference merely. Some information in it may no longer be current. Information technology also represents the signal of the view of the writer only. Come across the author box at the bottom of the article for more than about the contributor.

Why People Utilize Cannabis

Reprinted from the "Cannabis" issue of Visions Periodical, 2009, five (4), p. 9

On stigma

"Lots of people know me, know I do pot, and they think that I'm a pothead. But really, the thing they don't realize is that I take a reason for it." 1

Cannabis users are often portrayed every bit unmotivated, lazy "stoners." But inquiry into why people employ cannabis paints a unlike moving picture. Information technology shows that most people apply cannabis every bit a rational choice to enhance their quality of life.1-2

Cannabis affects people in different ways. It depends on the person, the situation, the type and quality of cannabis, and the method of utilize. Research shows most people who utilize cannabis use it moderately. Since cannabis has a low take chances for physical habit,3-v most people are not compelled to continue to use it. Instead, people use cannabis when they perceive its effects are benign. People all over the globe have used cannabis for thousands of years—for social, medical and spiritual reasons. Sometimes these reasons are distinct, just often they overlap.

On social utilise

"Simply well-nigh any activity is enhanced while nether the influence of cannabis. I similar hiking, cycling and dancing when I'k stoned or high and... I enjoy art, music, philosophy and meditation while intoxicated. Going to a museum is i of my favourite activities under [the] influence." 1

"In my humble opinion, weed is not a drug; information technology's a seasoning... similar salt for your life. So, but the same as a person would use salt to enhance a banal soup or what have you, smoking weed tin can make things more than intense and enjoyable..." i

Social Apply

The social use of cannabis includes its apply for recreation, socializing and mostly improving quality of life. Nigh people who utilise cannabis today practice so for these reasons.

Historical records too point to the social uses of cannabis. Aboriginal Hindus in Republic of india were against the employ of alcohol, merely accustomed social cannabis use. In ancient Rome, wealthy people finished banquets with a cannabis-seed dessert that was known for the practiced feeling it acquired. At ancient Indian weddings, cannabis (bhang) was served for practiced luck and every bit a sign of hospitality.vi

Today, people often use cannabis for specific activities and occasions. When used properly, it helps some to relax and concentrate, making many activities more enjoyable. Eating, listening to music, socializing, watching movies, playing sports, having sex and being creative are some things people say cannabis helps them to savour more than. Sometimes people as well use information technology to make mundane tasks like chores more fun.1

Cannabis, used socially, often becomes part of a person's daily routine without negative wellness, social, legal or economic consequences.7 Most people use information technology responsibly to ameliorate the quality of their lives, like to the manner others use booze or coffee.1

The World Health Arrangement Constitution defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absenteeism of disease or infirmity."13 Therefore, the social uses of cannabis sometimes coincide with, or complement, its medical uses.

On medical use

"Those persons in our lives that we met that recollect it'southward all about getting loftier oftentimes misunderstand that that loftier oft relieves u.s.a. of the tears, of injure, of stress, of living with a terminal affliction and a lot of other things in our daily lives."16 "It relieves the nausea from the meds and allows me to have an appetite and to stick to the regimen of taking pills. And sure strains work better for the pain." sixteen

Medical Employ

Like people who employ cannabis for social reasons, people who utilize cannabis for medical reasons besides use it to amend their quality of life. Medical apply is linked to managing physical and mental problems and to preserving health.

Cannabis has been used medically for thousands of years. In 2700 BCE, Shen Neng, Chinese Emperor and father of Chinese medicine, used cannabis as a remedy. The Ebers Papyrus, an aboriginal Egyptian medical text, likewise mentions cannabis. It was written in 1500 BCE and is one of the oldest pharmaceutical works known.six,eight

In Canada, cannabis was used as a medicine until it was added to a list of controlled substances in 1923.nine In 2000, patients won the right to once more use cannabis legally as a medicine. The court ruled that people should not have to choose betwixt their liberty and their wellness because both are protected in the constitution. In July 2001, in response to the court'southward decision, Health Canada introduced the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR).ten Under the MMAR program, people can employ for a licence to legally possess and abound cannabis for medical use.

Currently, there are many barriers to the Health Canada program. For example, some physicians don't desire to participate. Also, the options for a legal supply of cannabis are express. Equally a result, only nigh 3,000 people have licences at this time. Even so, virtually iv% of Canadians (1.2 million people) use cannabis medicinally.xi In BC, most 200,000 people report using cannabis equally medicine.12

Cannabis is used to treat many medical conditions and symptoms. It is constructive in treating nausea, loss of appetite, pain, anxiety, insomnia, inflammation and muscle spasms. These symptoms are often part of concrete or mental weather. Arthritis, cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, ADHD and post-traumatic stress disorder are some conditions cannabis can help care for.

Sometimes cannabis is more effective than pharmaceutical drugs and has fewer negative side effects. Some people use cannabis to help them cope with the side effects of, or to supersede, these medications. Others utilise cannabis to deal with withdrawal symptoms from other legal or illegal drugs.

On spiritual use

"Marijuana actually, what it does to me beyond all other social aspects of it, information technology actually really combines me with nature. A lot of my religious experiences have actually come through marijuana. It is only that connection, an sensation of yourself, I think, and that you are part of nature..." ane

"When yous ingest plants that have psychoactive effects, it's sort of like the consciousness of the plant expresses itself vicariously through your body and your mind... I like to use it for learning and to proceeds knowledge on how to treat people and how to live..." fourteen

Spiritual Apply

Spiritual well-being is widely accepted as an important part of overall health. Spiritual use of cannabis relates to seeking a sense of meaning, enlightenment and connection.

Cannabis has a rich history of spiritual employ. It is listed every bit one of the 5 holy plants in the Atharvaveda, a sacred Indian text from the second millennium BCE. The Scythians, who lived in what is at present Eastern Europe, used cannabis at funerals to pay respect to departed leaders. Ancient Chinese texts say that cannabis can lighten a person'south body and allow them to communicate with spirits. The Persian prophet Zoroaster (7 BCE) relied on the intoxicating effects of bhanga, a cannabis potable, to span heaven and earth. Some researchers believe that kannabosm, a found mentioned in the Old Testament as an ingredient in the sacred anointing oil, was an ancient name for cannabis.6

Today, some people apply cannabis in their spiritual practice. Rastafarians and some Hindus and Sikhs use cannabis in religious ceremonies. Other people use information technology in means they consider spiritual, such as for reflection, contemplation or personal growth. The relaxing effects of cannabis assistance some people gain a unlike perspective when trying to understand difficult life situations.1 Some believe that cannabis, as a establish, has something to teach them.14

Cannabis is used by some to increase an appreciation for and connexion with nature.i,fourteen People also use cannabis to bail with each other. These feelings of connectedness contribute to an overall sense of "oneness."1

Conclusion

Despite the criminal laws in Canada surrounding cannabis, about 50% of Canadians accept tried cannabis at some indicate in their lives. About 14% of Canadians are current users.11 People who don't use cannabis may not understand why others do use information technology. The same is truthful for those who have tried it and didn't see any benefit. Nevertheless, with a meliorate understanding of the reasons people apply cannabis, we tin can await past the stigma and assumptions. From here, it volition be easier to detect ways to heighten the benefits and reduce potential harms to individual cannabis users and the wider population.

About the author

Rielle worked eight years as a Policy Analyst and Research Coordinator with the BC Compassion Club Society. She was a Research Associate at the Center for Addictions Research of BC (CARBC) and is currently an Associate Researcher at the Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction at SFU