Let me take you on a journey—a stoned, introspective, and occasionally hilarious journey. Picture this: I’m a 25-year-old nonbinary Nigerian from Houston; sitting in São Paulo, Brazil; higher than a kite. It's here, under the Brazilian sun, that I finally cracked the code. I finally received the answer to a question I’ve had for years: Why do I love cannabis so much? This deeply stigmatized plant does so much for me, and I needed to know the reason why I love takin’ doobies to the face.
I’ve spent a good chunk of my life being a critical thinker, studying structural racism, Marxism, and human behavior. Essentially, I’ve dedicated myself to understanding the psychological and structural reasons behind our actions. Even with this cerebral superpower (yes, I do think I’m better than you), I kept pondering the cannabis question. And there, in São Paulo, it hit me: cannabis allows me to see life, the world, being human, in another dimension, one as worthy as the dimension I experience when I'm sober.
Over the years, my relationship with cannabis has evolved. It’s been everything from necessary self-medication to a bit of overindulgence. Now, it has settled into what it probably always was for me: a door to another world. A couple of puffs deep, it frees you from the box you may have unknowingly trapped yourself in. It provides a reminder in your sober life that there’s more to life than what you’ve been told. For someone already inclined to critical thinking, cannabis adds depth, revealing both the beauty and the ugly truths of life. When used healthily, it enhances the human experience.
Consider this: How is smoking cannabis or taking an edible any different from taking an ashwagandha or iron pill in the morning? How is cannabis different from the candy you keep in your purse to regulate your blood sugar? Telling people who are of age to not smoke cannabis is similar to telling them they can’t listen to music. Music is a gift in our wellness arsenal. Similarly to cannabis. If cannabis agrees with you, it can be a hugely beneficial part of your wellness routine.
Now, I’m not here advocatin’ for everybody to blaze it 24/7. Mindful use is key. Recognizing the potential for dependency and ensuring that cannabis use enhances rather than detracts from life is crucial. I’ve got a history with codependency (shoutout to intentional shrooms use for freeing me from that), so I keep a close eye on why I may feel like smoking. Mindful use, combined with critical thinking, ensures cannabis remains a tool and not a crutch.
Weed allows you to appreciate life’s greens, yellows, and reds more vividly. It helps you rejoice in our collective interconnectedness, even when relationships end. Cannabis, maconha, já makes connections clearer and provides deeper insights into human behavior, including your own. Weed, when used mindfully, is part of an arsenal of wellness tools. Alongside sobriety, music, meditation, watching sunsets, and holding a baby, cannabis has its place in our fun loving hearts.
The world is beautiful, and there’s no need to limit the healthy ways you can experience it. Weed is the miracle drug we’ve been seeking for centuries. When used responsibly, it opens up new dimensions and enriches our lives. So go ahead, light up if it suits you, and let the world reveal its many layers.
Just remember, it’s all about balance. Enjoy the ride, but don’t let go of the wheel.