Mindfully Consuming THC Secret To Perfect Bliss
Humans have searched for and used intoxicants throughout evolution. In these troubling times the two most common choices come from two different flowering plants. Over the centuries we gathered -- built villages, towns, and cities -- while cultivating Cannabis and Barley; each have fueled economies, created prosperity, and affected well-being.
It is the responsibility of government to be mindful of how any mood-altering substances affect the well-being of citizens. Cannabis provided us with rope, textiles, and medicine while Barley made our breads, beers, and whisky. Regrettably, Government is not always consistent, as seen with how access to Cannabis is restricted while whisky remains readily available.
Like peeling through the layers of an onion, there will be tears, but as we reach deeper into the intoxicating depths of human progression, we discover every layer is saturated with rosins and grains. When discussing how these agricultural crops influence well-being, we must start with an understanding of the products. The compound known as Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is just one of hundreds of cannabinoids found within the Cannabis plant, offers the intoxicating features of Cannabis. This knowledge requires a similar understanding of how whisky, an alcohol, is derived from Barley.
Upon legalization of Cannabis the Government chose to restrict the consumption of Cannabis while keeping alcohol readily available. The functional ignorance, the systemic arrogance of government behaviours is evident, when our relationship with alcohol was used to justify implementing the Cannabis Act. The irony is how after eight years of legalization, available information suggests the restrictions placed on Cannabis, found within the Cannabis Act, may be better placed on alcohol. This becomes more evident when we consider how both the Lancet and World Health Organization define alcohol as being pretty much a poison.
We do know, when comparing Cannabis and alcohol consumption, society pays more for alcohol. The most substance-related injuries seen in hospitals are attributed to alcohol. Although government informs us there has been an increase in Cannabis related hospital visitations, studies have cannabinoids accounting for less than one percent of all substance-related hospitalizations. The American Psychiatric Association even reports when used concurrently, Cannabis products have been shown to decrease alcohol consumption. This is significant when comparing how these two products affect well-being.
The disconnect is seen with how Cannabis is restricted and Barley is not. By restricting the entire Cannabis plant, government ignores how intoxication is achieved. Rather than focusing on the entire plant, government should be informing citizens how mindfully consuming THC is the secret to achieving the perfect bliss. One other important factor government seems to ignore is how Cannabis has yet to create the same societal harms as alcohol.
Cannabis is something new and the damage caused by alcohol is being noticed by citizens as we are drinking less. There is a trend, called "The California Sober” where people substitute Cannabis for alcohol. Rather than view this through a harm reduction lens, because the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction recognizes Cannabis as a safer intoxicant than alcohol, our government cherry picks available research by focusing on Cannabis damaging young brains. This is akin to teaching young people to fear dogs, because dogs bite.
The government shared the results of the 2026 Kaiser Study by focusing on how the use of Cannabis doubles the risk of young people developing a psychotic or bipolar disorder. Yes, this is significant but, blame shaming the Cannabis plant without educating parents on the risks of high THC products or how other compounds found within the same plant help with adolescence health issues, is not being mindful of societal well-being. It is important to recognize how, as Cannabis introduces herself, government continues to defame the entire plant following prohibition-era behaviour.
The Geneva Charter for Well-Being defines well-being as a political choice, meaning governments are responsible for the well-being of its citizens. Continuing to dishonour Cannabis while perpetuating the massive health burden caused by alcohol, is simply a betrayal of this social contract. Like some dogs, some compounds found within the Cannabis plant may be dangerous. Rather than telling our children to fear all dogs, we teach them to be mindful when approaching an unknown. Government should be responding to the California Sober trend by encouraging mindful consumption practices instead of focusing on the fear factor.
Our evolution points to humans needing a break from reality; we like our intoxicants. There are basically two legal intoxicants, those derived from Cannabis and alcohol. These products, when used responsibly, add to our well-being. However, both can be damaging. When comparing Cannabis and alcohol to the behaviours of dogs, research points to Cannabis causing muddy pawprints on the floor, whereas when alcohol bites, blood is drawn.
Government should stop villainizing the Cannabis plant. We are not taught to fear the Barley plant when this grain produces alcohol; a known cancerogenic. Compounds found within Cannabis are known to be medicinal, which cannot be said about alcohol. If government was truly paying attention to our well-being, they would understand how both Cannabis and dogs have benefited humans throughout evolution. We just need to be mindful when approaching both.
KN