Like wine with dinner or a beer in the backyard, marijuana is becoming very common.
With almost 60% of adults drinking alcohol, it has been a staple of family events. Relatives including grandparents, cousins, adult grandkids and more have sat at a table and toasted with beer, wine or booze….and now cannabis may be in the mix. As legalization has grown, cannabis is being embraced by more people and is popping at all sorts of family gatherings. And, it seems, marijuana can bond grandparents to family.
In a third party survey sponsored by Sanctuary Wellness, some interesting data has given hope about intergenerational bonding. There are all sorts of concerns about boomers and Gen Z not relating, but marijuana like music is showing a positive trend. Nearly one in three have tried cannabis, far less than alcohol, but still a significant number. In the survey, Millennials use the most followed closely by Gen X then Gen Z and finally Baby Boomers. And while a whopping 86% of Gen Z and Millennials support the legaization of weed…a full 71% of Baby Boomers do also.
Gen Z is slowly turning away from alcohol and feel they have way more stress than their grandparents. Due to the embrace from the medical community, Boomers are starting to see cannabis as aid in dealing with chronic pain and sleep issues. The plant can be very effective without as many harsh side effects.
Once interesting factor in the survey is the use of gummies. Microdosing has become huge and Gen Z sees it as a way to manage anxiety. With gummies, you see 76% use of Baby Boomers and 72% with Gen Z….far higher than Millennials and Gen X.
For many Europeans, alcohol is a part of their culture and viewed as a social activity. In Italy for example, children are eased into drinking with a bit of wine at dinner. They’re taught from an early age that alcohol is something to drink casually and in moderation. Alcohol abuse is less coming in Italy and France due to the generation training. Maybe marijuana, which has clear medical benefits, could be another thing which generations share to make for a better life.
The first part of the is filled with work, to-do things and prepping for 5 days of jobs stuff. Going into the work week, some people experience sadness, anxiety, or lack of motivation which can be a routine, which is not healthy. While Boomers and Gen X were raised in a world with fewer life options and work was just a thing you had to do, younger Millennials and Gen Z’ers were given a somewhat different take. Gap Years, working abroad, flex schedules and work at home gave them an option to craft a work environment suited to their needs. But as that falls away, stress and anxiety have increased. Some 39% of Gen Z feel regular anxiety. And roughly half of Gen Zs (52%) and millennials (49%) feel burned out by their job. So what are the best ways to make the first part of the week positive?
Weekends are made for fun, indulgences and treats. Each week decide Monday or Tuesday will be fun or favorite food night. It can be something easy like Sloppy Joes, a speciality salad, a great steak, but something to look forward to and enjoy. Also, make it something easy but transforms Tuesday into something special. Food also releases mood-boosting serotonin and dopamine, which can brighten the earlier part of the week. Food especially rich in those two include fish, grains, lean meats, olive oil and fruits and vegetables.
Summer Lifestyle Photos 2023
Swap beer for marijuana
All studies show marijuana is healthier for the body than beer. Fewer calories, less boating, no hangover. While California Sober has become a thing, more people are drinking less beer Monday-Wednesday and just having a couple of hits of a vape or a gummy. They get the chill without the extra weight or hangover. Canada did a study on the trend, but ultimately it helps you maintain energy for the rest of the week.
Plan something fun
Everyone looks forward to the weekend as a chance to relax and do fun things. Why not put Monday or Tuesday night as a special activity night. Anything from bing watch 3 favorite shows, trying a new video game, a long soak in the tub, or an early dinner with friend. Transform Monday or Tuesday into “Fun Day” by either planning or spontaneously doing something enjoyable for 1-3 hours?
Think about reversing the weekend sleeping in to sleeping early. Think about listening to calming music, read a book and just soak up snuggling in the bed. Avoid your phone and just relax and allow your body to unwind for a solid night’s rest.
Hopefully these tips will transform the first part of the week into a self care enjoyable time…and give you the energy and a positive outlook for the rest of the week.
Most people follow the law without even thinking – which has been good for people and marijuana
Over 50% of the country has access to legal cannabis. Veterans, patients, and everyday people have access to a product which helps medical or provide for some fun. The mood and perception of the country has changed dramatically since legalization and now some 85+% of the country believe it should be legal in some form. It is no longer a taboo in most of the US and definitely not in Canada. And there is some interesting research about how people are reacting to legal weed.
Prohibition was a great experiment which not only annoyed the general population, but also taught people how to break the laws. The US, Canada, Finland and Iceland all made alcohol illegal and they had a portion of the population set aside the law and try to figure out how to get booze. The experiment ended, just as the marijuana prohibition will end at some point. And already you are seeing a BIG change of behavior with average consumers.
Summer Lifestyle Photos 2023
As legal dispensaries take root, the public seeings them as another legitimate retailers, except in New York where illicit stores have outnumber legal ones 10 to 1. NuggMD< According to according to a new poll conducted by the cannabis telehealth platform NuggMD, a cannabis Telehealth platform funded a study about purchasing habit. In legal market 77% of people buy all or most of their cannabis from regulated stores. And, important for law enforcement, only 6% said they get none of their marijuana from legal stores.
From a consumer standpoint, this is important because the product have gone through testing and are also legal and, most, have exactly what is on the the label. Wana Brands, one of the largest products companies held off entering the NYC market until they began correcting the mess. The public is more comfortable in a proper setting where there is little worry or surprise.
Another change due to legalization is with Boomers. The generation which first embraced marijuana has begun reconnecting. Having be frightened by the zealous War on Drugs, most moved away out of fear of breaking the law. But with the changes, they have started consuming again. And the surprise is Boomer are using it for health benefits. They state it is good for inflammation, chronic pain, difficulty sleeping and more.
And, as Gen Z has entered adult, they have been in an era where marijuana has been legal. They have also helped lead the trend of California Sober where people have quit alcohol and only use weed. Science has shown marijuana is a much better alternative them alcohol which can have some serious impact on the body.
All of Canada and over 50% of the US have access to legal cannabis, and people seem to have changed their opinion about it. Fox News covers it as a legit business and 85+% of the population think it should be legal. From Gen Z to Boomers, people are headed to dispensaries to try it out. So what about experimenting with marijuana? Will you get addicted the first time? Is it life changing?
The old myth is marijuana is addictive and a gateway drug. Addiction is more common in alcohol or cocaine. But it’s possible to get hooked on marijuana, also known as cannabis. Studies show about 1 in 10 adults who use marijuana can get addicted.
Healthwise, marijuana is easier on the body than alcohol. Used in moderation, marijuana allows you to avoid weight gain, hangovers and body damage. Alcohol can be rough on the body. Also, there is zero cases of someone overdosing on marijuana, the worst case is they fall asleep. Gen Z is drifting away from alcohol and heading over to the marijuana camp.
Photo by Kindel Media via Pexels
How you experiment is also a consideration. If you are passed a joint, a bong, or a vape, you are likely to have a high fairly quickly. As it fades, you can make a decision on whether to continue in the moment or reflect if you would try it again. One hit doesn’t really make you a consumer or stoner. If you use an edible, start low and slow, a gummy might relax you, but don’t expect to buzzing like two martinis. Give it 45 minutes and then see how it goes.
Why are experiments, are you moving away from alcohol? Are you feeling stressed? Or just curious? All are ok reasons, but it good to know why so you can see if it accomplishes your goal. A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that marijuana reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Researchers found those hoping to reduce stress should use high-CBD/high-THC strains while high-CBD/low-THC varieties best help limit depression.
“Cannabis reduces perceived symptoms of negative affect in the short-term, but continued use may exacerbate baseline symptoms of depression over time,” researchers concluded.
If you have a condition like IBS, anxiety, or another medical condition is helps, it can be life-changing. Otherwise it could just make you happy and open your mind – and you can decide if it is life-changing.