While everyone knows that I grow professionally and advocate for safe, barrier-free medicinal cannabis access for all people worldwide, I like approximately ten percent of habitual users, develop a physical addiction to cannabis with excessive use.
In the context of mind-altering substances, addiction or “substance use disorder such as alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs, to the point where the person’s ability to function in day-to-day life becomes impaired.
We would laugh hysterically and I remember food tasting so delicious when high! The first time we got baked we ate Stouffer’s pepperoni pizza and I thought I’d gone to heaven.
The color, the crystals, and the aroma really drew me in and a largely covetous long-term relationship was born.
My folks, children of the sixties and seventies found out we were smoking early on and offered me two pieces of advice – don’t get high at school and don’t drive stoned.
My solution to the developing problem was simple, power through and start smoking more so as to build a tolerance and better mask my altered state of mind.
I was high all the time but participated in class, got all A’s, gave regular oral presentations, and was a leader on group projects.
We were taking a trip to my sister’s wedding and my wife pleaded with me not to take any weed as she didn’t want me stinking at the ceremony.
I had shed nearly ten pounds in three days, was awake for nearly the whole time, and had circles under my eyes.
I decided to stop smoking for fear of stigma, so I set down my pipe and saddled up for the next chapter of my life.
Rather than smoking all the time, I began using casually – once a day versus 8-10 heavy sessions like in years past.
After mom’s death five years later and a serious hip injury, I started smoking constantly – perhaps trying to hide from the sadness and pain, or perhaps so I could work through those emotions.
Rather than using out of necessity or as an escape or survival mechanism, I now use cannabis for enhanced sensory experiences, to center myself spiritually and emotionally, or to alter my perspective around a challenging situation or decision.
Addiction, or cannabis use disorder is exemplified by using more cannabis than intended, failed attempts to quit using, using even though it causes problems at home, school or work, or using despite social or relationship problems. Other signs of addiction include cravings, increasing dosage to achieve the same high, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping use.
For example, if you are orally ingesting 300 mg of THC per day as I used to, dropping that to 200, then 100, then 50 will be easier on your system.
If you are a heavy smoker, transitioning to edibles for a week or two can help break your habitual/ritualistic smoking habit and improve the chances of your success.
By openly acknowledging this reality and helping consumers address the issue without fear or judgment, we show compassion and strengthen our hand as a loving industry dedicated to saving and improving lives.
Despite having a somewhat challenging relationship with cannabis at times, I’m proud of what I do for a living and I love smoking weed…I honestly wish I could do it all the time, yet now understand this isn’t the best option for me.
He is also the creator of NorCal Financial and Cannabis Consulting, a no-cost platform that helps small farmers improve their cultivation, business, and financial skills.