The Continuing Stigma Around Medical Marijuana Use
An innovative new project aims to destigmatize the therapeutic use of cannabis.
Posted Jan 20, 2021
Cannabis was legalized in Canada in October 2018, and is now available at a variety of stores. Interestingly, Health Canada just released the results of its 2020 Canadian Cannabis Survey, finding that 27% of Canadians had used cannabis in the last year. Approximately half of those using cannabis stated that they used it for medical purposes, with rates of usage particularly high among people reporting poor or fair mental health.
These findings overlap with the existing research literature, which indicates that a substantial number of people with mental health issues use cannabis therapeutically to manage symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, trauma, and chronic pain. Such medicinal usage can reduce suffering, as cannabis contains analgesic and calming properties that are generally effective and safe when used in moderation.
In sum, around 1 in 7 Canadians are using cannabis for medicinal purposes, many of whom have mental health issues, and evidence suggests that this can have a positive effect on their quality of life and overall well-being.
Stigma and Stereotypes
Although cannabis has been legal for over two years, many stereotypes and stigmas still surround people who use medicinal cannabis, which can lead to discrimination and exclusion. For example, one study from the University of British Columbia found that medicinal cannabis users were frequently labeled as irresponsible and unreliable ‘potheads’ by a variety of people including employers, colleagues, and even healthcare providers.
These stereotypes are far from the truth, as a wide variety of people with mental health issues are using cannabis for medicinal purposes including professionals, blue-collar workers, seniors, parents, and military veterans. In fact, one study found that 52% of Canadian veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (including many who served in Afghanistan) use cannabis for reasons such as relaxation, emotional calming and pain management.
These results are consistent with the findings of a report on medicinal use of cannabis by the Canadian Senate Sub-Committee on Veteran’s Affairs, which noted that veterans often turn to cannabis after other medical treatments have failed or led to intolerable side effects. Indeed, one veteran told the committee that “medical cannabis saved his life and…improved his quality of life by exponential dimensions," while others noted that cannabis is a preferred pain-management option to opioids, with their potential for addiction, abuse, and overdose.
In short, the stigmas and stereotypes surrounding cannabis users are obscuring the fact that people from many different walks of life are now using cannabis for beneficial health purposes. Given this, the Mental Health Commission of Canada (an official government organ) recently funded 14 community-based projects aiming to explore, document, and destigmatize cannabis use in diverse groups.
Stigma Reduction Through Public Education
I am leading one of these newly-funded projects, which will involve producing a series of educational documentaries detailing the diverse reasons why people with mental health issues use cannabis, as well as exploring the impact that such usage has on their well-being and quality of life. Importantly, the documentaries will be produced by a social enterprise comprising of filmmakers with mental illness, who have first-hand experience of some of the aforementioned stigmas and stereotypes. This means that we will approach our tasks with empathy and understanding.
These educational videos will foreground the voices of cannabis users with mental health issues, prioritizing their perspectives by allowing them to share their stories and experiences on camera. While the videos will focus on benefits, they will also include a discussion of the potential risks associated with cannabis consumption, especially overuse. As such, we will also interview a range of experts to ensure a diversity of perspectives.
Once completed, these videos will be made freely available on social media. Moreover, they will be shown during a series of organized screenings (with panel discussions) to a variety of audiences including employers, health care providers, post-secondary educational institutions and other community organizations.
Ultimately, we hope that this grassroots process of video production and dissemination will help destigmatize cannabis use for mental and bodily health reasons, thus bringing this misunderstood issue out of the shadows. This can help create a climate of acceptance and inclusion for the growing number of people who use cannabis therapeutically.
If you are interested in participating in the documentaries, please contact me at [email protected]
So given a choice between
a regular cannabis user pilot and a clean and sober pilot, and no drug testing, all other things being equal, it doesn't matter which one flies the Grand Canyon helicopter carrying your kids?
Virtue signaling is a vapid indulgence but does nothing to address real-world dilemmas.
Beauty contestant comments that fail common sense tests are not actually virtuous but kind of cheesy.
Anonymous wrote:
I would have no problem riding with a user. No more trouble than someone who drank socially.
Pot is obviously bad for reading comprehension
I said fly not ride
Studies
There are very few conditions that have studies that show any use of marijuana for treatment. For the bulk of "self-medicators," it's just another dissociative coping mechanism. People should get treatment for their anxiety and depression, but marijuana is not that treatment.
Anonymous wrote:
There are plenty of studies on cannabis. Therapy on the other hand is a joke and a scam
No studies exist
For the treatment of psychopathology, there are no studies.
Thank goodness for medical
Thank goodness for medical marijuana. And those who are against it needn't use it. But do not deny it to others.
I think most of those against
I think most of those against marijuana are the medical community - not because cannabis doesn't help - we know it does, but rather the sticking point is a loss of power over others by the medical community and a possible loss of profit.
My Testimony
My Testimony
I was cured from 5 years of Hepatitis, Prostate Enlargement and Erectile Dysfunction with Doctor Nelson Herbs.
I read a testimony of a lady who was cured from Fibroid with herbal medicine within 21 days with herbal medicine and she shared the doctor information. I sent the Doctor a mail which he replied and after series of questions I purchased his Herbal Medicine which I received at my address via DHL service, and with is instructions I used the herbal liquid for 21 days and was cured from HEPATITIS, Prostate and Erectile disorder. I recommend Doctor Nelson to anyone with, Cardiovascular Diseases, high blood sugar, Low Sperm, infertility, HERPES VIRUS, Lung Cancer. His email; [email protected] gmail. com
or WhatsApp number +212703835488.
Herbs cured my hiv completely
Natural herbs have cured so many illness that drugs and injection cant cure. I've seen the great importance of natural herbs and the wonderful work they have done in people's lives. I read people's testimonies online on how they were cured of herpes, HIV, diabetics etc by Dr. Ogba Kosu herbal medicine, so i decided to contact the doctor because i know nature has the power to heal anything. I was diagnosed with HIV for the past 7 years but Dr. Ogba Kuso cured me with his herbs and i referred my aunt and her husband to him immediately because they were both suffering from herpes and they were cured too. I know is hard to believe but am a living testimony. There is no harm trying herbs. He is also a spell caster, he cast spells to restore broken marriages and a good luck spells to prosper and excel in life. Contact Dr. Ogba Kosu on: Phone/Whatsap no: +2348137291215
Post Comment