For The Love Of THC

I’ve been noticing that as legalization moves forward in its herky-jerky (and pandemic-impeded) fashion, much of the time in mainstream conversations, THC gets treated like the cannabis plant’s miscreant red-headed stepcannabinoid.

You see all manner of justifications for medical cannabis in service of the most severely impacted among us – noting with grave sobriety the extremely specific and regulated needs of epileptics, PTSD-sufferers, and those fighting life-threatening conditions like cancer, HIV/AIDS, and Parkinson’s. 

However, for the rest of the population, we are told – nay, reassured – we’ll be fine with good old non-psychoactive CBD, and all the rest of the hundred-plus family members who – and this is the important point – won’t get you high.

Sadly, this does a disservice to THC, and its value in pain management, mood elevation, spiritual insight, and all the salubrious synergies which come from the entourage effect.

Plus, the truth is, getting high is fun. Really fun. And it won’t kill you. Though I did laugh so hard once I peed on my shoes. But that’s another story…

Despite the many thousands of years that humans and cannabis have been dancing together like Fred and Ginger, the near-century of puritanical prohibition, incarceration, and demonization have forced us to approach legalization as a practical, necessary chore, instead of the liberation celebration it really should be.

Also, while I’ve met people who swear by CBD, for me, and many folks I’ve talked to, it does nothing when it comes to the varied forms of pain and dysfunction we’re trying to manage. For us, THC really is the magic molecule for living a life in a generally imperfect, often impaired, frequently challenging, and ultimately decomposing human body.

Now, I can understand the origins of all the reactionary and bet-hedging language. Despite the many thousands of years that humans and cannabis have been dancing together like Fred and Ginger, the near-century of puritanical prohibition, incarceration, and demonization have forced us to approach legalization as a practical, necessary chore, instead of the liberation celebration it really should be.

It’s like we have to come at the whole process by saying, “We really wouldn’t legalize, you know. Not under ideal circumstances. Of course we don’t want to. But clearly some poor, suffering folks need it. And while we’re at it, prohibition has been expensive, and not very fair, and unfortunately, we’ve got that whole Created Equal thing we’re trying to live up to. So, we know we’re running the horrible risk of some people getting a little wacky and giggly from time to time, but that’s a cross we’ll just have to bear. We’ll just do our best to regulate the whole situation into submission and make sure we don’t appear to support the notion that sometimes, people want to have more fun than they can get by jogging. Plus, you can make a little money at it. Just sayin…”

I would love it if we could proclaim flat out – no, actually, I would love it if we could say in the form of bit of Seussian doggerel… 

An Ode To Cannabis

Some folks avoid THC’s psychoactive effect

That’s totally fine and they have our respect

But others find it has uses and brings them great pleasure

It helps them connect and enhances their leisure

From medicine to munchies and fiber to frolic 

The whole plant has value – practical and symbolic

It brings us nutrition and healing and oil 

It makes fiber and paper and cleans up the soil

It replaces our plastic, makes our muscles less spastic

And ensures that our minds remain soft and elastic

Whether making hot love, or blowing great sax

The Green Goddess Of Love helps us all to relax

Yoginis love her and so do footballers

Hard-working parents and contradance callers

Lawyers and grocers from mountain to prairie

Trust in her power to make life less scary

From the bud connoisseur to the weekender who grows

There’s one basic truth that everyone knows

Cannabis is bliss

There’s nothing amiss

And if we possibly could

We’d give it a kiss

Stay safe everyone!