Cannabis in Canada

Since it's the talk of the nation, I suppose I should make mention of the fact that, as of last Wednesday, consumption of marijuana is legal throughout Canada. That was one of Trudeau's promises when he was campaigning. It felt like something that kept being postponed over and over again, and we went through a weird stage where people were saying it was "basically legal".

I'm not super informed on the technicalities. I know you must be 19 years of age or older, and you're not allowed to drive or work while under the influence. I believe you can't smoke in public areas. Even though it's legal to consume, I'm not sure there is anywhere you can legally purchase it. I've heard that, in Ontario, we are going to start selling it at the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) and I have also heard that we are going to open a new outlet, the CCBO (Cannabis Control Board of Ontario). I've heard you can legally buy it online now. There are other places in the world that have legalized it and have figured out their distribution process, so that makes sense. I think you're allowed to grow it, there are grow kits everywhere now. I don't know if it's legal to disclose stories regarding consumption while it was still illegal though, so I... won't be expanding on that.

Canada's really pitching the term "cannabis" over the word "marijuana". I'm not sure if one of those terms is more scientifically accurate, but marijuana has always seemed more commonly used, and now it seems like all government-issued discussion uses cannabis. Maybe it's because "cannabis" sounds more like "Canada".

During the day that it was legalized, one of the participants where I work burst into the building and shouted "It's pot week!" then pointed at me out of a group of people and said "Gryphon, are you gonna buy some?"

I stammered "I... acknowledge my right to speak on the matter.... but still don't feel comfortable disclosing that information".

I have yet to take advantage of my new legal right. I may or may not have used prior to the date it was legalized, but I definitely have not consumed since it became legal.

I'm in favour of this change. I think it definitely has medicinal applications, and even for recreational use, I can acknowledge it is no more dangerous than alcohol and tobacco.

But honestly, what I'm hoping for most is that now that it's legal and there isn't as much stigma surrounding it, we can start openly discussing responsible use.

As a nation, we've been fairly divided between those who think it is a drug and should not be consumed under any circumstances, and those who feel that it is okay to binge smoke constantly. I'm of the opinion that it's okay for most people to get high, but it isn't appropriate at all time and under any circumstances. That opinion seems to greatly upset both groups.

Many of the people I know who use cannabis cite it's medicinal benefits, speak on how it causes fewer accidents than alcohol, doesn't leave them with a hangover, and isn't addictive. Almost all of them call it a "Holy plant with many teachings" and describe it as "their medicine".

I hope that sounds exaggerated. It sounds exaggerated to me, but I've tallied the people I know who are regular users, and those who have used the phrases "Holy plant with many teachings" and "my medicine" outrank those who don't.

In regard to it's medicinal benefits. Absolutely. It has really turned things around for people with chronic pain, and there are even some extreme examples of people where serious damage was avoided due to the use of medicinal marijuana. But medical professionals determine whether or not their use counts as "medicine". As I've stated, I'm in favour of recreational use of cannabis, so I won't fault you if it helps with your anxiety. But when alcohol helps me with my anxiety, I don't refer to it as "medicine".

Also, while it does have medicinal benefits for some, it comes with its own risks. While it is a mild hallucinogen, it is still a hallucinogen, and depending on family background, it can increase risk of developing certain mental disorders. As someone with a family background of schizophrenia, I was very cautious of my use before the age of 25, since regular use of cannabis greatly increases the chances of developing schizophrenia in a still-developing brain if you're genetically predisposed.

While it won't leave you hungover, and doesn't incentivize people to act impulsively the same way alcohol does, I have never seen anyone "panic" under the use of alcohol, whereas with  cannabis...

If I had ever used Cannabis I might have noticed on several occasions a heightened awareness of my own blinking, breathing, and heart beating, which all seemed necessary to control manually. This mechanical sense of being would potentially divide my attention, feeling as though I couldn't live under normal conditions, and cause me to be suspicious of my surroundings, as well as feeling that, should I not be abl to keep track of my blinking, breathing, and heart, that I would die.

Never experienced that with the other legal substances.

If we're talking about addiction, it is true that it is not addictive on a physiological level. But anything that can put you in a reality that is more appealing than your default one can be psychologically addictive. I've had people preach to me that it isn't addictive, then later brag to me about being able to go a "whole day sober". If making it through a day without using is enough of a challenge to brag about, and you have no other physical need to use it, then I think it's hard to say you aren't struggling with addiction.

As far as it being a "holy plant with many teachings" , that seems to be a phrase cherry picked from Rastafarianism. I don't know a ton about Rastafarianism other than a dude named Haille Selasse (might be spelled wrong) was involuntarily selected as the second coming of Christ, and this inspired a number of Jamaicans to pilgrimage to Ethiopia. Part of that faith includes acceptance of the use of Cannabis, and that seems to be what Canadians have really clung to.

I don't expect any of my friends to be making a pilgrimage to Ethiopia, but they sure have no qualms with claiming a Rasta background based on their consumption of Cannabis. This claimed spiritual background allows them to say that, should I choose not to partake because of my genetic vulnerability, that I am "Failing to accept the teachings of this sacred plant".

I know a lot of people who tie their sense of self-identity to their use of Cannabis. I have many friends who refer to themselves as "potheads" or "stoners". In comparison, I know only one person who self-identifies as a "drunk".

And while we're on that topic, I enjoy the use of alcohol, but my first impulse every morning isn't to take a shot. I know many people who take a riff off a bong in the morning to centre themselves. I know people who drive to work high, and people who operate heavy machinery while high. Even if I drink, I don't feel the need to drink constantly.

I know people who have used who say they have forgotten years of their lives due to chronic use.

So yeah, if you like weed, please smoke it. Smoke it in the evenings before you go to bed, allow it to relieve you of the anxiety that comes with the day. Use it as a social instrument. If you don't like weed, don't make yourself do it. Be aware of your medical background and have an understanding of whether or not it makes sense for you to do. Please don't drive or work under the influence. Smoke up but be safe.