Cannabis Myths Debunked
Of all the substances in existence, it seems cannabis carries one of the most undeserved and unjustified stigmas. Cannabis culture is full of myths and misconceptions. There’s no denying that cannabis propaganda and fear-mongering PSA’s like the 1930’s Reefer Madness are to blame for sprouting so many of these age-old rumors. We’re here to roll up these myths and set them ablaze. It’s time to filter out the stems and seeds and leave only the facts.
Myth: Cannabis is a gateway drug
We’ve all heard this common, yet extremely untrue saying that cannabis is a gateway drug. The notion is essentially that cannabis leads users to search for a more intense high in other drugs once building up a tolerance to cannabis. It has been proven time and time again that there is no causal link between cannabis use and the use of other drugs and a vast majority of cannabis users do not go on to use other drugs.
This flawed gateway hypothesis is one of the principle reasons cited in defence of laws prohibiting the use or possession of cannabis as well as an ineffective care tactic to discourage youth usage. New evidence suggests that cannabis can even serve as an “exit drug,” helping people to reduce or eliminate their use of more harmful drugs such as opiates or alcohol by easing withdrawal symptoms.
Myth: Cannabis was better in the 70’s
If anyone has ever tried to tell you the strength or quality of cannabis is declining, they’d be highly incorrect. While friends or family members will rave about smoking in the good ol’ days, it’s likely cannabis wasn’t the only thing they were smoking. It’s to no surprise that some users would lace or “infuse” their cannabis with additional substances to produce a more psychedelic experience, which was a popular occurrence in the 70’s and 80’s.
When cannabis subculture began to blow up during this period, the buds were green or brown in colour, leafy and much thinner with visibly prominent stems. Basically equivalent to today’s bush weed. Fast forward to present day, high grade craft cannabis flower is dense and covered in shiny crystal-like trichomes with an aroma so loud you can hear it.
The fact is, cannabis produced today has the power of modern technology coupled with highly advanced cultivation techniques. Not to mention the knowledge of experienced growers and farmers. Cannabis potency and quality is constantly being tested and improved by industry experts making it the best and strongest it’s ever been.
Myth: Cannabis doesn’t make you hungry
The question of why cannabis gives you the munchies would be better suited than if it makes you hungry or not. In order for cannabis or any drug to work, it needs to find receptors in the body. Cannabis, THC specifically, directly impacts the hypothalamus. This part of the brain is responsible for releasing hormones that control and manage feelings like hunger, thirst, fatigue, arousal and more.
The overwhelming urge to eat everything in your fridge derives from the triggering of reactions in this part of the central nervous system. THC also promotes the release of the hormone ghrelin secreted from the stomach, which stimulates hunger. Next time you’re standing in the kitchen, hovering over your stove at 2 a.m. eating whatever concoction your stoned brain came up with, just remember, we told you so.
