I'm a cannabis user who gets a lot of benefit and joy out of it. It's too bad that a lot of people he are coming from a place of ignorance about it. It's understandable, in a sense, because all drugs are abused in our ridiculous. People overuse everything, including weed, and when you overuse it, it can have a negative effect that causes stereotypical laziness (though it still doesn't cause physical harm). I take two or three hits a day, and it adds a wonderful spiritual dimension to my life, inspires me creatively, and is very beneficial to meditation. It also opens up that "third eye" and helps me see the effect of food on my consciousness. I also sleep better, and don't have the low-level depression that I used to. On the contrary, life is very joyous when you respectfully use plant allies such as cannabis. Another amazing one is ayahuasca. People who are on a spiritual path should really try this stuff; you have no idea how profoundly healing it is without trying it, but almost everyone who tries it has a life-changing experience for the better. These substances used properly seem to carry a theme of getting in touch with our true nature and with the Earth. Good-quality cannabis really brings nature to life, and it helps you laugh. It's medicinal qualities are incredible. More and more is coming out about its medicinal benefits (for epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, chronic pain, and some cancers, yes).
The fact that we have a natural endocannabinoid system in our brains is evidence that we SHOULD be using cannabis. Cannabis fits perfectly into receptors that exist in our brains; the endocannabioid system is very fundamental to our moods and happiness. That's why people like weed so much! It's also being studied as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. There's a lot of benefit to conscious use of this stuff as a plant medicine, not a "drug." The notion of lumping all "drugs" together is a product of our whacked out society and this ridiculous "War on Drugs." Cannabis has no relation to cocaine; in fact, they're more like opposites. And cannabis is incredibly physically benign. Sure, you can get psychologically addicted to anything, but weed has no physical addiction; even if you use it heavily, if you stop, you won't get withdrawal symptoms. This is unlike even caffeine, which has physical withdrawal symptoms associated with it (coffee- now there's a spiritually destructive drug in our society). Weed has also never killed anyone in all of history. That's indicative of it's safety.
We're in a time right now in history when society is taking another look at marijuana. I really urge every to do that. Sanjay Gupta of CNN is a doctor who was originally opposed to marijuana- until he actually looked at the scientific evidence. Now he's a public champion of it's medical use. Check out his two CNN segments that a re up on youtube: "Weed" and "Weed." I wish everyone would take some time to look at the evidence and re-think your knowledge and position on cannabis. If you've never tried it, or haven't in ten years, why not try it? The key is to use it very moderately. The pothead culture of smoking "blunts to your head" gives this plant a bad name. I literally take exactly one hit at a time. If you've never enjoyed a simple weed high- you're missing out on one of the more beautiful, mentally healthy, and fun experiences of life.
I'm glad to see people supporting legalization of weed on a pro-freedom basis. Honestly, I don't think people should be going to prison for ANY drugs. Drugs should be a public health issue, not a criminal justice issue. We should be using public tax money to fund research and education and treatment, not prisons. Portugal decriminalized all drugs in 2002, and they've seen a drop in violent crime and teen addiction. It's time to end the "War on Drugs" and progress to a more compassionate and healthy approach to the entire issue.
Topic: Marijuana Causes Long-term Brain Changes (Read 13232 times)