A Pleasant Sense of Well-Being

A Pleasant Sense of Well-Being

Yesterday, I introduced the topic of an elephant wandering loose in the community, and I had an agenda.  Whereas the elephant on the prowl may seem intrusive and potentially unsettling to guests, this particular elephant is much more comfortable here in California, possibly, than any other place.  Personally, I adhere to all of the components of yesterday’s post, except the first.

I believe that people are capable of determining for themselves, which of those six blind men, best represents them.  If someone falls into the first category, that of rejecting outright, any thought that cannabis might be viewed as acceptable in their eyes, then more power to them.  No skin off of my nose.  I do, however, object to having people dictate to me, how I should view the topic; I like to think I can work these details out on my own.  This prompts the question, “How much say (read that, control) should one person have over another, if both are adults, when it comes to determining whether one should indulge or not in the mighty-juana?

Does this change if one is half of a relationship, and wishes to impose his/her position on the other?  [*obligatory disclaimer]  Does a partner-for-life have a/the right to dictate policy in these matters?  I do not pose the question for any other substance than cannabis.  

Regardless of occupation, and with ingestion during any phase of working never a consideration, does a mate have the right to say, “I am uncomfortable with your use of cannabis, so please desist?”  Of course, one cannot know for sure all of the reasons a person might have for either use, or for this sort of request, but certainly the legal versus moral issue arises, in many instances.  Legally, unless one has a medical prescription, obtainable the way any other prescription is available, it is a misdemeanor to possess any amount.

But aside from this issue, without diminishing it, does one person’s level of discomfort, give her/him the right to assert that cannabis is off-limits to the other?  I think a couple of qualifying parameters might be established: first, use is occasional, and need not be done in the presence of the unwilling participant.  Secondly, the herb is a gift to the partaker, so how it came to be present, in the first place, does not play a role.

Let’s assume that the person indulging has a stressful occupation, feels the need for relaxation, of an evening, or Saturday afternoon, and recognizes that alcohol or other available options require too much excess baggage.  On the other hand, cannabis produces a pleasant sense of well-being, allows the partaker to feel as though life is a little more approachable, and allows for these problems to be confronted and articulated, so as to appear somewhat less threatening.  Would that be such a bad thing? 

The other factor that I feel applies, is the fact that the culture in which we live, has long since embraced this benign plant, whole-heartedly.  Therefore, the person who pursues his/her relationship with cannabis, may have been a frequent flyer for the first many years of her adult life, with a respect and devotion for this herb.

If I may, I would like to present a couple of examples from my own recent history, that reflect not only my philosophy, but allow me to demonstrate how I choreograph my own actions in relation to reefer.  When I first contacted my friend Mahlon, last March, he had been battling cancer of the esophagus for two years.  He had all of the accompanying negative side effects, including loss of hunger, and struggles with keeping his chin up.

I asked if he were interested in some of my home-made, gluten-free, oatmeal cookies, with the raisins and almonds in them.  By the way, I substitute an oil, for the butter, in which I steeped marijuana, for twenty-four hours in a crock-pot.  I do have a medical marijuana prescription, and can therefore not only possess it legally in the first place, I can convert it into a substance that is healthier to ingest, than more conventional methods.

Mahlon was highly interested, and when I was able to figure out the perfect way to legally whisk, first cookies, and then small amounts of oil itself,  back to North Carolina, both he and his family expressed appreciation.  That made it all worth while.  I will not bore you with the litany of medicinal uses I derive from the use of reefer.  Just the fact that I was able to phase out the anxiety drug, Lorazapam, and replace it with reefer, legally, was very rewarding.

The other example, is that I recently read someone express the thought that, if this commodity had been available recently, for a sick loved one, this person would have made it available, with the premise being that anything that helped ease the pain of another, was a good thing.  

I leave with the thought that millions of people use this substance, nationwide, and corporate America, including the alcohol and prescription drug companies, does not approve.  Which faction is more likely to make campaign contributions to politicians: the medical marijuana community, or the alcohol/drug companies?

As to whether one person should be able to monitor another’s actions in this regard, I think basic respect and common sense should prevail.  Sneaking around seems juvenile, but imposing one’s will on another seems dictatorial.  “Out of sight, out of mind” is my idea for compromise.

* Please, please do not think this is some less-than-obscure skewer, upon which I am roasting Annie.  She does not partake, but for me, she prefers reefer to Lorazapam, hands down.