Sweet Mary Kane: May 2013

I've seen a lot of "skinny pot smokers" taglines come across my feed today. I love that there are people actually complying the scientific data for these things. It has crossed my mind numerous occasions to write about Cannabis and weight loss. After all when I moved to Colorado I was 52 pounds heavier than I am today. And not only did I drop the weight of an average eight year old I've kept it off over a year. Why shouldn't I talk about it?

I think I get paranoid about writing things that I can't back up. Yea, I know I'm entitled to my opinion, but how can I really form an opinion without a multitude of information?

From my perspective Cannabis not only helped me lose weight but increased my consumption of healthy foods. I simply crave whole, raw, natural foods beyond twice as often. I was able to cease my consumption of alcohol which I would often drink for pain, and while it would not touch the pain it would incapacitate me in other ways. Triggering migraines, early bedtimes, dehydration, and so on. I'm not taking any narcotics or prescriptions at all for that matter. I stand up straighter. I am physically active. I am happy. And I'm just eating and smoking this plant!

Out my window I see a rapidly growing number of people who are experiencing the kind of relief and results that miracles are made of. I've met people who've left behind their canes after using Cannabis Balm for their Multiple Sclerosis. Consumed high doses of Cannabis and walked after being in a chair for 6 years. Come back from the edge of terminal Crohn's just eating Cannabis oil. I've seen smiles on the faces of patients. I have seen the love in the eyes of the growers and care givers. And even if the only help that Cannabis has to offer some is relief and improved quality of life, to me that's enough.

Which is where this gets tricky. Because you see I want to stand up and scream and shout and make a scene in the name of freeing my Sweet Mary Jane. Writing letters and phone calls to everyone I'm considering voting for aside, I don't have a lot to offer the cause.

I remember the first "activist action" I took. I just met this girl (like literally that day) and she wanted to go tag this nearby structure that was going up. I was brand new to the neighborhood so of COURSE I wanted to make a new friend. I was in like sin - provided we left a message. We proceeded to the nearest hardware store, stole two cans of black spray paint, and proceeded to scrawl "SMOKE WEED EVERYDAY" circling a Cannabis leaf. I loved it. I was so happy with our handy work,(the next morning we could see it from the bus stop) that I convince all the cats from my old block to take my bus and see it after. It was pretty discouraging when we pulled up along side the wall to find it already painted over. Hazard of painting in progress buildings. Lesson learned.

I smirk about it now, so young, so defiant. Still, even though it is just a plant, and I believe to the core of my bones, through the universe from this life to the next and beyond that everyone should have the same rights to Cannabis as they do to carrots, apples, peas, corn, tomatoes (and fight for your food, please Buddhas stand up against Monsanto, peacefully), and strawberries I have to hesitate. I hold back, pause, bite my tongue sometimes. Those are the moments when I realize that my interest are tipping to advocacy over activism. But then who gets to make the rules? Who gets to say why, how, what dose? As though I'm playing myself in a mental game of Spy Vs. Spy.

There isn't an easy answer and I don't want to have to choose sides. My official stance: always radiate these truths with love. My alliances lay with the beings of Earth.

Enjoy!

Namaste ~

SMK

Its hard to get started on these things when there is so much to say. Even if I sorted it into neat little categorical piles the trouble would be then which pile to start with. And how does one decide which to pile to follow with after that? I suppose it is only appropriate to begin with my apology. I didn't blog last week. I didn't give an excuse then. I'm not going to now, but the fact that you are reading this does entitle you to my sincerest apology. Believe me if you felt let down in the slightest that was the last thing I'd want. In fact, currently, I am writing this blog although I'd be better off lying flat on the floor.

When something breaks my (nearly permanent) link to the intrawebs, via my many devices, well the thing is I just don't know what to do with myself. So much of my life, including communications with instructors regarding my children. It is particularly difficult when I am incapable of completing other every day tasks I would. Long story short, between laying down and being unable to move my neck, flipping through photos became my best form of entertainment. Enjoy some of my personal highlights from 2013.