SCENE: Two people sitting in a lunch room
Stacey: Sorry to hear you haven't been sleeping well, John.
John: Thanks, Stace. I just can't get my mind to shut off.
Stacey: I've had those nights!
John: So what do you do? When you can't get your brain to shut off, I mean?
Stacey: Um...you sure you really want to know?
John: I just asked, didn't I?
Stacey: Yeah, ok. I guess you are the one who always says "If you don't want to know the answer..."
Both together: "Don't ask the question!" Both laugh
John: So? You gonna tell me?
Stacey Well, it's just I know you're pretty...how shall I say it? Straight laced?
John: Fair enough. But, I mean, so? Is it something illegal? Something wild? You afraid I'll judge you or something?
Stacey: Well, if we're being honest...a little?
John: OK...again, I guess that's fair. But I'm getting desperate here. I've tried all the relaxation techniques. I've tried melatonin. I've tried sleeping pills, but you never get good sleep with sleeping pills. I've even tried warm milk, and I don't like milk! I promise not to judge you, ok?
Stacey: OK...well...what really works for me is pot.
John: Pot?
Stacey: Yeah, you know, marijuana?
John: Yeah, Stace, I know what pot is.
Stacey: Well what then? It's not even illegal any more in California.
John: Isn't it still really bad for you though?
Stacey: (Rising to leave) See, this is why I didn't want to say anything
John: Wait. Wait, wait. Please. I'm sorry. I can see how that might have sounded judgmental, but really, it was an honest question. I mean, it *is* bad for people, isn't it?
Stacey: (Still standing) No, John, it's actually not. At least not nearly as bad as many of the other "legal" drugs people put into their bodies every day, like alcohol, or caffeine, or heck - even sugar!
John: OK. I'm listening.
Stacey: (sitting back down) Look - there's been a lot of misinformation about marijuana, but it's been used for healing for hundreds if not thousands of years. But since it's been illegal - for which I'm mostly gonna blame big pharma, but that's just my personal conspiracy theory, ok - so, it's been illegal for so long that even when it started to be studied scientifically they only way the Raphael Mechoulam - that's the scientist who was trying to figure out what caused the effects it - the only way he could get it was from the cops!
John: (laughing. Truly interested now) Seriously? So someone did do research on it?
Stacey: Well, there's a lot more research that needs to be done, but yeah - Dr. Mechoulam was the one who discovered the psychoactive properties of tetrahydrocannabinol - thc, as well as CBD which I'm sure you've heard of.
John: Yeah - my mom uses some CBD oil for arthritis, but I always figured it was mostly snake-oil.
Stacey: It can be, but if it's made by a reputable manufacturer and used correctly, CBD can be helpful too. In fact, I take CBD gummies along with the pot; the pot puts me to sleep, but the CBD helps me stay asleep.
John: So...what? Do you and your husband like just pass a joint back and forth before bed?
Stacey No! Martin is totally not into the stuff, and that's fine, but he's seen how well it works for me and is glad I'm getting better sleep.
John: So what do you do, then?
Stacey: Well, there are lots of different forms of cannabis products now - from flower to extracts to edibles, to vape cartridges. You kind of have to be willing to experiment to figure out what works for you. I've found that two CBD gummies and a couple hits of a vape cartridge will pretty much do it for me any night.
John: Vaping, huh? I've never smoked anything in my life.
Stacey: Well, it's not exactly like smoking, since there's no smoke per se; nothing's burning - it's just a liquid or oil being heated and vaporized.
John: So, it's not hard on your throat? Cigarette smoke always makes me cough when I'm around someone who smokes, and I can't imagine what it would be like on my throat.
Stacey: I used to smoke when I was a kid, and it's not really like that no. I mean, a little, maybe? It takes a bit of getting used to the first couple times, but nothing near as harsh as cigarette smoke. Oh, you do need to be sure to get the right kind of cannabis, though.
John: The right kind? Whadda you mean?
Stacey: Sorry - there are two primary strains of cannabis - indica and sativa. Indica is the stuff that's better for pain relief and for helping you fall asleep.
John: So, what, then, I just go to the pot shop and ask for some indica?
Stacey: Their called "Dispensaries" these days, but...well, I'd suggest you do some research on your own first - there's a ton of stuff on the Internet. Just Google "cannabis strains for sleep" and you'll probably get a couple million results, but the top several will start you off. You can find information about what effects they have, what kind of a flavor profile they have..
John: Flavor profile?
Stacey: Yeah. I mean, some kind of smell and taste like skunk, but there are strains that are fruity tasting, or citrusy, so you can find things you think you'd want to try.
John: And it really puts you to sleep?
Stacey: When nothing else would, yeah.
John: Hey Stace? Thank you.
Stacey: You're welcome, John
John: Ummmmm....maybe you'd be willing to come with me the first time if I go to get something?
Stacey: You bet, my friend - I'd be happy to.
End Scene
— Zachary
Stacey: Sorry to hear you haven't been sleeping well, John.
John: Thanks, Stace. I just can't get my mind to shut off.
Stacey: I've had those nights!
John: So what do you do? When you can't get your brain to shut off, I mean?
Stacey: Um...you sure you really want to know?
John: I just asked, didn't I?
Stacey: Yeah, ok. I guess you are the one who always says "If you don't want to know the answer..."
Both together: "Don't ask the question!" Both laugh
John: So? You gonna tell me?
Stacey Well, it's just I know you're pretty...how shall I say it? Straight laced?
John: Fair enough. But, I mean, so? Is it something illegal? Something wild? You afraid I'll judge you or something?
Stacey: Well, if we're being honest...a little?
John: OK...again, I guess that's fair. But I'm getting desperate here. I've tried all the relaxation techniques. I've tried melatonin. I've tried sleeping pills, but you never get good sleep with sleeping pills. I've even tried warm milk, and I don't like milk! I promise not to judge you, ok?
Stacey: OK...well...what really works for me is pot.
John: Pot?
Stacey: Yeah, you know, marijuana?
John: Yeah, Stace, I know what pot is.
Stacey: Well what then? It's not even illegal any more in California.
John: Isn't it still really bad for you though?
Stacey: (Rising to leave) See, this is why I didn't want to say anything
John: Wait. Wait, wait. Please. I'm sorry. I can see how that might have sounded judgmental, but really, it was an honest question. I mean, it *is* bad for people, isn't it?
Stacey: (Still standing) No, John, it's actually not. At least not nearly as bad as many of the other "legal" drugs people put into their bodies every day, like alcohol, or caffeine, or heck - even sugar!
John: OK. I'm listening.
Stacey: (sitting back down) Look - there's been a lot of misinformation about marijuana, but it's been used for healing for hundreds if not thousands of years. But since it's been illegal - for which I'm mostly gonna blame big pharma, but that's just my personal conspiracy theory, ok - so, it's been illegal for so long that even when it started to be studied scientifically they only way the Raphael Mechoulam - that's the scientist who was trying to figure out what caused the effects it - the only way he could get it was from the cops!
John: (laughing. Truly interested now) Seriously? So someone did do research on it?
Stacey: Well, there's a lot more research that needs to be done, but yeah - Dr. Mechoulam was the one who discovered the psychoactive properties of tetrahydrocannabinol - thc, as well as CBD which I'm sure you've heard of.
John: Yeah - my mom uses some CBD oil for arthritis, but I always figured it was mostly snake-oil.
Stacey: It can be, but if it's made by a reputable manufacturer and used correctly, CBD can be helpful too. In fact, I take CBD gummies along with the pot; the pot puts me to sleep, but the CBD helps me stay asleep.
John: So...what? Do you and your husband like just pass a joint back and forth before bed?
Stacey No! Martin is totally not into the stuff, and that's fine, but he's seen how well it works for me and is glad I'm getting better sleep.
John: So what do you do, then?
Stacey: Well, there are lots of different forms of cannabis products now - from flower to extracts to edibles, to vape cartridges. You kind of have to be willing to experiment to figure out what works for you. I've found that two CBD gummies and a couple hits of a vape cartridge will pretty much do it for me any night.
John: Vaping, huh? I've never smoked anything in my life.
Stacey: Well, it's not exactly like smoking, since there's no smoke per se; nothing's burning - it's just a liquid or oil being heated and vaporized.
John: So, it's not hard on your throat? Cigarette smoke always makes me cough when I'm around someone who smokes, and I can't imagine what it would be like on my throat.
Stacey: I used to smoke when I was a kid, and it's not really like that no. I mean, a little, maybe? It takes a bit of getting used to the first couple times, but nothing near as harsh as cigarette smoke. Oh, you do need to be sure to get the right kind of cannabis, though.
John: The right kind? Whadda you mean?
Stacey: Sorry - there are two primary strains of cannabis - indica and sativa. Indica is the stuff that's better for pain relief and for helping you fall asleep.
John: So, what, then, I just go to the pot shop and ask for some indica?
Stacey: Their called "Dispensaries" these days, but...well, I'd suggest you do some research on your own first - there's a ton of stuff on the Internet. Just Google "cannabis strains for sleep" and you'll probably get a couple million results, but the top several will start you off. You can find information about what effects they have, what kind of a flavor profile they have..
John: Flavor profile?
Stacey: Yeah. I mean, some kind of smell and taste like skunk, but there are strains that are fruity tasting, or citrusy, so you can find things you think you'd want to try.
John: And it really puts you to sleep?
Stacey: When nothing else would, yeah.
John: Hey Stace? Thank you.
Stacey: You're welcome, John
John: Ummmmm....maybe you'd be willing to come with me the first time if I go to get something?
Stacey: You bet, my friend - I'd be happy to.
End Scene
— Zachary
Pretty COOOOOOL, Zachary. I guess I don't have ANY options except CBD oil (which is too expensive). I live in Alabama, a state that is reluctant to let anyone have marijuana. I think someone in the state legislature is working on some sort of medical marijuana bill, but it probably won't pass. I should move away, but I sorta can't... nowhere to go. So, did you have someone in your life like "Stacey"? Or are YOU that person? (Macoff)
ReplyDelete@Macoff - My psychologist actually suggested it to me, who had never smoked anything and had never tried any sort of recreational drug. I was dubious, but desperate, and given the source figured I'd try it out. And so I did the research, and checked in with her, and finally got some (four years ago now? five?) But WOW does it help me sleep, and now I'll tell anyone else who has insomnia
DeleteGreat story. Glad you've found relief and sleep.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to big pharma's role in the banning of pot, oppression of Black and brown people was a motivator since white people used alcohol which was legal and, early on, pot was the recreational drug of choice for Black and brown people. <<< That has been told to me many times. I have not done independent research.