Consuming Cannabis: WHO? no responses
Legalisation Part 3: Who, you?
I promised you that I would search out some Californian dope smokers if I can find them! I have hunted high (sic) and low. I went to that Grateful Dead tribute concert and could only find two. I have searched Hillcrest, North Park, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach and environs and have found very few public smokers. So contrary to the dire predictions, legalisation has not resulted in an invasion of public spaces by legions of grubby pot smokers, emerging from the sewers like a plague of rats, waving bongs in the faces of old ladies, shoving joints between the lips of babies. (21 is the legal age for buying and smoking anyway). Perhaps there are more to be found in the drawing rooms of La Jolla in smoking jackets, having the odd Vape as they discuss Proust and the iniquities of the Trump.
So there’s only one thing to do: go to Seattle. O.k, I know this series is supposed to be about California and the effects of legalisation, and I have only discovered one: there are very few public smokers. Seattle, on the other hand, is in Washington State, where cannabis has been legal for recreational use since 2012. I will report from the smoke-filled state there in my next blog.
Meanwhile, let’s look at the stats.
There are few reliable sources for good data. By the very nature of the users, they can be a secretive lot even in states with legalisation. Various pro-pot organisations have produced reports: one of the most interesting is this one:
CLASS and CANNABIS
For those who can’t be bothered to read what looks like a rather academic piece, I’m nice, so I’ll sum up the main findings.
There certainly seem to be many middle-class smokers, in the age group 21 – 35, according to the Cannabis Consumers Coalition in this Report, drawn up a year before California legalisation. Fascinating reading, but bear in mind there is bound to be a pro-cannabis slant. Also, sample sizes were small and there is likely to be bias owing to self-selection of respondents through requests on social media.
Hm! And as for the rest, baby boomers are certainly well invested in using cannabis for its medical properties, and many studies suggest this group’s use of cannabis in general is rising exponentially. Edibles represent a growing proportion of use in the forms of candies, cakes, etc.
The Report states that “What is significant is that a combined 32.52% of adults 45 years or older consume Cannabis. This signifies that Cannabis consumers are professional adults.” Teachers, then! Doctors? Lawyers? CEOs? Trump?
“Just over a quarter of Cannabis consumers, have combined incomes of over $75,000, showing that cannabis consumers are professionals from all walks of life and not the stereotypical “couch potatoes” depicted in the media and in anti-Cannabis campaigns.” Oh. Not teachers then. Over $75k indeed. Which leaves politicians, doctors and Auntie Beryl (she has er own nail bar and I’ve always suspected her of deep involvement in criminality.)
“Cannabis consumers encompass a broad stroke of individuals and classes within the United States. No longer exclusive to the counter-culture and urban youth, Cannabis consumption is common among all classes in the United States, with those in the lower-middle class consuming the most. 27.46%”, All right, you’ve made your point. Teachers. So does that mean I need to get myself into a school in Seattle, pop into the staffroom and simply inhale?
MED VS REC
The majority consume daily – whether for medicinal or social use.
“Flower” consumption means smoking. I don’t know what Dabbing is (somebody please enlighten me). “Edibles” is a massive field. They make all sorts of foods with a dash of cannabis. Well, it’s a herb, right? Brownies were always one of the main ingestion methods back in my day. I remember a parent party we absolutely trashed by spiking their cakes with weed. No doubt there were many pot parties that weren’t meant to be, as a result of a mischievous teenager.
The range of edibles nowadays goes from confectionary to baked to drinkables.
Grass Tea: A Recipe.
Heat water until it boils
Place in a pot on the stove and add grass to taste. Generally a heaped teaspoonful of moderately low grade per person. Adjust amount according to the strength of the grass. (When I say “Grass” I am referring to the stuff that grows in lawns of course. If I were referring to marijuana that could be interpreted as encouragement to break the law in countries where the substance is still banned)
Allow to come to the boil and leave for eight minutes.
Strain into a beautiful teapot and dip a teabag of your favourite tea in and out a few times.
Drop in a cinnamon stick and if desired, a spoonful of honey.
Serve.
Don’t offer me any ok?
NEWBIES AND OLDIES
It seems that most users today have been using the stuff for some time. No wonder most teachers are bonkers. The questions I would like to get answered in my research in Seattle is this: To what extent does long-term cannabis use impact on those shibboleths of the anti-cannabis lobby: Short term memory; Ambition and decisiveness; mental health; addiction.
Look. I’m not going to get answers which are anything more-or less than anecdotal, right? Only a major academic study after legalisation has been in place in years can really give answers in those four areas. Nevertheless, interviews and observational data would form a good basis for more in-depth research so I’m going to do it. Besides, chances are it will be fun.
BONGING THE BANK
As you can see the majority of respondents to that particular survey buy their pot on the black market, i.e. from the friendly local dope dealer or, increasingly, on the web. One user boasts they can order online and get cannabis delivered to their house within half an hour. That’s better than Amazon.
So now the question is, should we legalise in the UK? At this point I have no opinion. I want to examine all the options and go through available information before I make my own mind up. As should we all. So in the next blog, I will look at (as far as I can) the effects of legalisation on users and on society.
SOURCE:
Consumers Shaping Industry and Policy Report by Larisa E. Bolivar, M.A.Cannabis Consumers Coalition 2017
www.cannabisconsumer.org