Will The 'Pothead' Image Ruin The Chances Of Medical Cannabis?

Today's post from cbc.ca (see link below) highlights one of the new problems associated with medical cannabis for nerve pain (amongst other conditions) and that is the stigma associated with die-hard cannabis smokers. Conservative thinkers see them as lazy and ineffectual; practically a danger to society! However, as this article suggests: as more and more areas legalise the drug for medical purposes, it may be up to the medical cannabis producers and retail outlets to change the image (however inaccurate) in order to promote the undoubted qualities cannabis can have. There will always be opposition of course; from those who have never tried it and those who fortunately for them, don't need it. It may be a long road ahead but the progress so far is nothing less than astonishing!

Stigma of the lazy pot-smoker hurts medical marijuana users 
By Peter Thurley, for CBC News Posted: Nov 24, 2016 
 
For many users, the high they get is an unwanted side-effect

Medical marijuana is used for, among other things, relieving pain, stimulating appetite, relieving nausea and relaxing patients suffering from PTSD or psychological other trauma. (Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press)

About The Author

Peter Thurley is a Kitchener, Ont. based writing and communications consultant, helping non-profits, small businesses and political action groups effectively engage with stakeholders. A relatively new medical cannabis user, he has written further reflections on the politics of cannabis at peterthurley.ca.

When people hear that someone uses cannabis, they often give a nudge nudge​ wink wink and say, "Lucky you, getting high on weed, eh?"

I usually chuckle and reply that the official scientific name of the plant is "cannabis," and that it is medicine. For me, it's used to dull chronic nerve pain left after an invasive surgery to repair burst bowels and remove a 25-pound desmoid tumour.

It can also be used as an appetite stimulant, it quickly kills nausea and it relaxes anyone who needs to deal with frightening flashbacks of their time in hospital.



Different strains of marijuana are on the menu at a dispensary in Ottawa. (Stu Mills/CBC)

Yet the image of the lazy pot-smoker remains one of the most prevailing stigmas about medical cannabis users, and it was on full display recently during a CBC News interview with former NDP MP Peter Stoffer about cannabis use among veterans.

Veterans allowed too much pot, says former NDP MP Peter Stoffer

​Once the NDP's critic for veterans affairs, Stoffer, who is now the public spokesperson for Nova Scotia-based Trauma Healing Centers, quipped that the 10 grams a day of cannabis allowed under Veterans Affairs Canada rules is "an awful lot of marijuana to give one person." Veterans Affairs Minister Kent Hehr seems to agree, and announced this week that the limit will be scaled back to three grams.

In his interview, Stoffer added that veterans should be subject to a full lifestyle examination before being granted access to cannabis, suggesting that some might be using it simply to get high.

Novelty wears off

The novelty of being a cannabis consumer wears off quickly. For many medical cannabis users, the potential high is an unwanted side-effect.

So it was disappointing to read Stoffer repeat long-debunked myths about medical cannabis users looking for a buzz rather than relief in his thinly veiled comments about "lifestyle monitoring." That's simply not true.

And while the federal government does play a role in how veteran health care dollars are spent, it does not have the right to come between a patient and their doctor — nor should Veterans Affairs Canada be asking questions about a patient's lifestyle, financial status or eating habits, as suggested by Stoffer. They don't do it now, nor should they start. If they don't do it for other prescription medications, why should they do it for cannabis?

Lessons learned about legalized marijuana from Colorado's chief medical officer

As Canada moves towards full legalization, it will be incumbent on the burgeoning cannabis industry to take steps to explain the various ways of consuming cannabis. Extractions, for instance, take much more plant matter to produce than other methods such as smoking or vaporizing.

Indeed, according to Maxim Zavet, CEO at Emblem Cannabis, it may be that veterans are relying increasingly on oils instead of smoking the dried flower — something that requires more plant material and may not contain psychoactive ingredients like THC. Stoffer acknowledged that fact in a follow-up call I had with him, but he held fast to his position, saying, "Everyone knows that 10 grams is a lot."



Cannabis can be consumed in several different ways, like adding cannabis oil to a smoothie, as chef Cody Lindsay does here. (CBC)

Like me, Michael Blais, of Canadian Veterans Advocacy, respects Stoffer and applauds the work he did in the House of Commons. But he also agreed that these long-standing stigmas about medical cannabis must fall, especially for Canada's veterans, who have already given so much for the sake of our nation. "There aren't many of us who have sustained a battle injury," he reminded me.

Cooking with cannabis and what could be on Canada's menu

In 2017, Canada will become the first G7 nation to fully legalize cannabis use, both medically and recreationally. It would be a shame if Stoffer's cannabis myths — relics left over from the failed war on drugs — were to further disadvantage our veterans, right when they need our help the most.


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http://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/medical-marijuana-stigma-1.3861027