I agree. Thanks for sharing VS and Newty about how it has positively changed your lives. Those stories go a long ways and being open about stuff like that really helps the progression of this great, natural plant.
I come from a fairly conservative family and they did not like the idea of me growing at all but they have met so many people like you guys that even though they don't agree with it, they will call sometimes with questions. Some of their friends have had cancer and other issues and since they know nothing about it, they ask me. If I can agree that marijuana will help them then they go back to their friend and tell them to try it. It's pretty cool.
I started smoking back in college just to get high. I didn't like drinking and it was a great option that ended up helping with anxiety and pain (been through rehab twice on my neck). I was able to sleep and stay calm and focused instead of letting my anxiety get the best of me. It's never been tested or documented by a doctor but I know I have anxiety problems. If I don't smoke my mind races until I'm just plain worn out and fall asleep and I've had some crazy panic attacks. Also when I go out of state and don't smoke my back feels like hell when I get home. I'd say I use it half to take the edge off and half for medical reasons. I'm not even going to try and say that I don't enjoy being high, but I can go to work the next day without and issue and I don't have meltdowns if I don't have it either. For a vice, it's one I am in full control of and everyone has their vices. I just choose not to fall into the same governmental trap that VS mentions with pills and opiates. If there is one thing I have the most problem with in this country its big PHARMA. Such a political joke and I can't believe the prices they charge so people can get the medicine they need. And then the addiction level and dependency involved afterwards, it's disgusting to me.
Now I am beginning to look at opportunities to help other people that really need it. My brother works at the Veterans Affairs office and is asking questions about it for his patients. My girlfriend is getting into massage and CBD oils and creams are the hot ticket right now. My family asks me about it for their friends and I make recommendations on strains and usages (edibles, smoking, vaping, concentrates.. etc). I'm no professional but I feel like I've got a pretty good leg to stand on. Since I can almost produce anything a dispensary can give you (well I will when my press come this week), I feel like I can help anybody out depending on what they need. I've been approached to grow for a few people around here and I turned them down due to their goals and stipulations. I want to do things my way and for the right reasons and not to just produce it like crazy and cut corners. I never thought of doing it for a career until recently and if the shoe fits then I'll likely pull the trigger and go with it but I do really want to help others and deliver some great stuff for their needs if that is what I am going to do for work someday. I really don't enjoy being around the "typical" stoners that don't do anything with their lives and don't even know the medical side of things. It doesn't set a good example to people like my family who don't know anything about its positive effects and they see people acting like a stereotypical pothead. Even if you are smoking it just to get high you should still know the basics of sativa vs indica and how (and when) is the right times to smoke them throughout the day. Even in legal states, where people explain that to you at a dispensary, there are still tons of people who are clueless.
Right now any distributing I would do is illegal so I can't really directly help people out that need it but at least I can share my grow knowledge with the people on this site so hopefully they can succeed and take care of themselves. It's a small way I can help until I find my niche. I keep researching and trying new methods of using THC/CBD and I'm pretty confident that if my times comes I'll be ready for it. If it never comes I'll be happy that I can do all this for myself for the rest of my life.
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