Stereotypical depictions of pot smokers, listless underachieving bozos with little motivation and grim prospects for the future, have dominated the cannabis discourse since the early days of prohibition many decades ago.

The reality is something different. Cannabis is used by a diverse group of people worldwide.  Whether for medicinal or recreational use or for the purposes of general health and wellness, cannabis consumption is becoming increasingly normalized.  With legalization and growing political acceptance around the globe, people no longer need to be ashamed of themselves for using cannabis.

With new and innovative methods of consumption – including multiple non-psychoactive options – it’s time to create a new paradigm with respect to this magical plant.  

While still stigmatized in some circles, folks from all walks of life are ‘outing’ themselves as cannabis consumers and I am one of them.  I hid my use for years and it seems so stupid in hindsight.  Shame and dishonesty are damaging to our psyche and completely out of touch with our national values of freedom, personal responsibility, and self-awareness.

This piece will touch on why people consume cannabis and will shed light on how diverse cannabis really is and how it helps hundreds of millions of users worldwide.

-Medicinal Use-

Cannabis, since early times, was used medicinally.  As I described in a previous column, medicinal cannabis use was referenced in ancient texts and was found in Chinese pharmacopeia centuries ago.  Our own history with cannabis was similar – it was regularly prescribed for a host of ailments prior to prohibition in the 1930s.

The most well-documented medicinal uses for cannabis relate to nausea relief and appetite stimulation, but a host of studies preliminarily indicate the medicinal properties of cannabis are far broader, encompassing things like Crohn’s, ADHD, Epilepsy, PTSD, and pain management.

In my personal experience, cannabis has been a useful tool in the area of medicine.  I suffered from stomach issues as a young man and experienced several periods of intense nausea and cyclical vomiting over the course of two years.  My body had an adverse reaction to prescription medications and I found that cannabis, specifically cannabis dry sift was the best treatment for me.

Additionally, after suffering a forceful hip dislocation nine years ago, cannabis use softened the pain somewhat, significantly reduced pain-related nausea, and helped me sleep.

Most recently I was suffering from plantar fasciitis as I spend enormous amounts of time on my feet and average some six miles a day on the farm.  I was given a potent cannabis topical from a friend, which I apply twice daily.  While I still have a touch of discomfort, my pain was quickly and significantly reduced – much more than expected to be frank.  Cannabis topicals are non-psychoactive and do not show up on drug screening exams…a real homerun for anyone suffering from nagging, localized pain.

And while still the subject of considerable debate, some studies indicate cannabis can be useful in slowing or preventing the growth of some cancer cells.  Cannabis also shows promise in treating Glaucoma, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and various neuropathic afflictions.

With legalization, peer-reviewed cannabis research is exploding across the globe. Millions of consumers, like myself, are hopeful that cannabis will one day replace many highly damaging and prohibitively expensive pharmaceuticals, offering a more natural and holistic approach to healing.

-Recreational Use-

Recreational or adult-use cannabis makes up the lion’s share of the California cannabis market.  Some people simply use for fun, while others use for enhanced creativity and focus, improved artistic expression, social connectedness, increased stamina, and enhanced sensory experiences.  

In my view, cannabis makes everything a bit more fun.  Whether playing with the kids, taking a swim at the river, or muddling through household chores, cannabis makes daily life a bit more enjoyable.  There is a silly side to cannabis consumption that tends to create inner happiness that draws out enjoyment and laughter.  Whether a newcomer to consumption or a seasoned user, this effect tends to persist over time.  

As someone who likes writing, cannabis absolutely improves my creativity and flow.  Whether storyboarding a concept or writing an initial draft, cannabis taps into the creative side of the brain and allows for improved output and greater depth of thought.  Artists often cite cannabis use as inspiration for their work as well.  Speaking with musicians, sculptors, painters, and muralists, I have heard time and time again that cannabis helps one get in the zone of creative flow and also makes the process of creating more meaningful and more enjoyable.

Many people use for a social experience.  Whether outside the bar or dance club, along the banks of the river, at a consumption lounge, or at a family gathering, cannabis use connects people and is an expression of kindness, relationship, and love.  Sharing a joint or a bowl is a unique experience that creates a certain kinship and bond among people.  Regardless of background, political views, or upbringing, shared cannabis use creates a commonality that unites and unifies.  

Contrary to popular belief, cannabis is increasingly used by athletes to improve performance.  Whether for increased stamina, muscle relaxation and repair, or simply for a more immersive experience in the gym or on the court, athletes of all types are advocating for cannabis use.  UFC fighters, professional athletes across disciplines, average Joe’s and Joann’s, and everyone in between is recognizing that cannabis use allows one to tap into another side of themselves physically.  Professional and collegiate bans on cannabis use are stupid and need to be abolished immediately.

Finally, cannabis is frequently used to enhance sensory experiences.  Whether having sex, enjoying a nice meal, watching a sunset, listening to music, or smelling a bouquet of flowers, cannabis awakes the senses and provides a truly visceral appreciation for beautiful things.  Sight, smell, and sense of touch are altered by cannabis in a unique and special way.  As mentioned, things are more fun when using cannabis.  They are more beautiful and more pleasing too!    

-Health and Wellness-

Cannabis is increasingly accepted and positioned as a tool for personal health and wellness.  While closely related to both medicinal and recreational use, the health and wellness bucket is garnering attention across the space and is a growing focus of producers, manufacturers, and sellers of products.

Issues like relaxation, emotional healing, overcoming social anxiety, stress relief, and harm reduction fall under this umbrella.  For me, harm reduction is among the most powerful and most promising.

Many individuals suffer from afflictions like drug and alcohol abuse which are incredibly damaging emotionally and physically.  Bottles and pills kill, weed doesn’t.  For those suffering from alcoholism or opioid addiction, a carefully tailored cannabis regime can help addicts wean off more damaging substances and restore a life of promise and productivity.  Cannabis is increasingly proposed as a harm reduction tool and can help with nausea, relief from cravings, and emotional healing for those coming off of stronger substances.  While some advocate for a ‘cold turkey’ approach claiming that cannabis use is nothing more than a psychoactive substitute, my experience living a life of recovery shows the opposite.  

Addiction is a mental and physical affliction often resulting from pain, trauma, and mental disorder.  To assume that folks can immediately flip the switch and begin living their best life by not picking up isn’t overly realistic.  Approximately ten percent of addicts find lasting recovery and I firmly believe that a prescribed cannabis program can drastically improve recovery outcomes.  Given that cannabis improves self-awareness, helps one address trauma and emotional stress and helps physically with issues of nausea, sleep, and anxiety relief, it is a perfect tool for helping addicts recover – far superior to pharmaceutical options that increase dependency and exacerbate problems.

While I advocate for medicinal use for people of all ages, including infants and children in extreme situations, cannabis use is most appropriate for those who have reached physical maturity.  Whether medicinal, recreational, or for purposes of overall health and wellness, cannabis use is increasingly adopted and accepted as a tool for self-help.    And while cannabis can be tainted with harmful chemicals and can be irritating to the lungs when combusted, varied and increasingly diverse methods of consumption make using safer and easier than ever.  If so inclined, purchase local, lab-tested, high-quality products from a licensed dispensing facility and embark on your path to wellness and happiness.

Much love,

Jesse 

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Jesse Duncan is a lifelong Humboldt County resident, a father of six, a retired financial advisor, and a full-time commercial cannabis grower. 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. Please check out his blog at, his Instagram at jesse_duncann, and connect with him on Linkedin.