Many of us will be talking to family over the holidays. If you’ve ever had difficulty explaining your cannabis use to a family member, then you’re reading the right post!
First off, its good to clarify that you call it cannabis. Why? That’s the name of the plant. Terms like pot, weed, doobs and yes, even marijuana, are street names with baggage. When you’re trying to normalize the use of this plant, its best to avoid calling it anything but cannabis.
Uncle Bob leans back and laughs, “You’re just getting it so you can get high!”
What do you say to that? If you use cannabis for a medical condition, whether it be pain or difficulty sleeping, tell him that. If you use it to relax, or get creative, you can explain that as well. It’s not that different from having a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. In fact, too much caffeine or alcohol can kill you. Yet, there is no amount of cannabis that will kill you.
Maybe some of your family members are taking CBD to help them relax, to gain control of ADHD or reduce pain in stiff joints. You can use that as an illustration of how the cannabis plant is already being used by people all over the country and is being sold online, in pharmacies and in gas station mini-marts. If they object and say its “hemp derived”, you can point out that hemp is just a class of cannabis plants that produce little to no THC. Without THC, there isn’t the euphoria or intoxicating feeling produced by cannabis. Furthermore, many cannabis formulations that include THC have large amounts of CBD, which counteracts the euphoric THC effect.
From there, you can explain how cancer patients, autistic children, children with seizures and people in hospice are benefitting from cannabis-related therapies. You can explain that people use cannabis for appetite, sleep, seizures, tremors, pain, anxiety, anti-tumor treatments, nausea and as an alternative to opioids, chemical sleep aids and anti-seizure medications that have a long list of detrimental side effects. As you discuss it, you might even find a family member or two pulling you aside later to ask more questions! Of course, cannabis therapy for children should only be recommended and overseen by a qualified medical professional.
In any case, enjoy your cannabis use over the holidays. Don’t drive while under the euphoric influence of this healing plant. But please do share your knowledge and positive experience of adult use of cannabis with those who will listen.
I’m Soulful Steve. I’m a writer, IT professional, and daily user of cannabis for relief and wellness. Soulful Cannabis is where I share knowledge, product info, and occasional tall tales with those of you out there considered cannabis curious! Now that I’m getting older, I’m leaning into CBD products to keep my quality of life and take the edge off daily stress. Come explore the amazing cannabis plant with me!
