A cannabis user suffering from PTSD endorses the beneficial effects of taking ‘food’.
Many people believe that whatever’s against the law, is necessarily immoral as well as illegal. But just because cannabis use is outside the law, surely does not mean it is immoral to think about it for ourselves.
On the streets of East London cannabis is referred to as “weed” or “food”. Not everybody partakes in using this drug. However most, if not all, are very familiar with its pungent aroma and how it affects users. For years upon years, people have spoken for or against legalising it; but all too often what people say on the topic is based on where they’re coming from, with little or no reference to where the facts of the matter would take us.
In the UK, NHS mental health care is extremely overstretched and underfunded. Many people suffering from various mental disorders, be it anxiety or depression or, like me, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are still on a long list, waiting to hear back from their local health trust. For many of these patients, consumption of cannabis could help relieve anxiety levels. This claim was dismissed as a myth until 2010 when Harvard Medical School confirmed it. Since then, other medical studies have illustrated the many benefits of cannabis, yet as far as UK legislation is concerned, nothing has changed – unlike progressive developments in Canada and in some American states.
The state of Colorado legalised cannabis towards the end of 2012, which just might be connected to the way the local medical marijuana industry took off in late 2009. The new ‘deal’ in Colorado isn’t only that citizens can smoke and trade freely without the looming fear of arrest; the people of Colorado also benefit from quality control checks ensuring that the now-legal product is safe to consume. Also, the state’s revenues have increased because the product is taxed as well as merchandised.
Supposing the lessons of Colorado were applied right here in East London, would it be worth the risk? On a personal level, I genuinely believe that aside from its various health benefits, using cannabis also opens up my creativity – and I know I am not alone. Many have said that they appreciate music a lot more when they’re ‘high’. Many have also noted that when they’re under the influence of weed, they feel a lot more creative, and more talkative and inquisitive. Reggae legend Bob Marley was famous for being a constant weed smoker. Of course not everyone is going to be anywhere near as creative as he was, but his track record puts paid to the idea that weed makes you lazy and stupid.
My first experience with weed was a powerful one. Back then, I was living in East London and I wasn’t interested in drugs of any kind. I shared the erroneous belief that anything labelled ‘drug’ was bound to be bad. This was due to a very sheltered upbringing in which my family members strove to be absolutely law abiding.
The first thing that struck me when I inhaled was how relaxed I became. I am usually a shy person around people I don’t know that well. But now I was both talkative and calmer. Instead of obsessing over minor issues, I felt content.
The next pleasant surprise in store for me, was how readily available it was. I soon realised that everyone in East London knows someone who sells and smokes it. Considering that it was pretty much everywhere, yet East London hasn’t collapsed into drug-fuelled mayhem, it dawned on me that I would have to change my opinion: if all these people use this herb, then it can’t be as harmful as some media make out.
Instead, I’ve met hardworking people who hold down a respected job, I’ve met businessmen and high achieving students and I’ve also met people suffering from arthritis and even cancer; they all partake in cannabis consumption and they share the same positive sentiments with regards to it. They can’t all be wrong, lucky or just delusional.
I believe more qualitative studies about the effects of marijuana from regular marijuana users should be undertaken, rather than just selected statistics and tired old prejudices being thrown around and getting us nowhere.
This cannabis user preferred to remain anonymous. She was talking to Kawther Ayed.