Cannabis
Public Perception: Cannabis vs Psychedelics
Cannabis legalization has sparked some heated debates throughout the last decade over whether a once-illegal substance could truly have medical benefits, and if it should be accessible to the general public. And when you think about the full history of cannabis prohibition, you realize how long it really took to enter the mainstream. One would assume that psychedelics will follow the same pattern, but so far, we’re seeing very little of the same pushback. Why is that? Let’s take a closer look.
The mainstreaming of cannabis and psychedelics
Marijuana and psychedelics are both Schedule I substances, defined as having “high addictive potential and no current accepted medical use”. However, both cannabis and psychedelics are viewed much more favorably than other illicit substances.
For example, roughly half of Americans (around 78 million people) claim to have used cannabis at some point in their lives, and over 35 million report using cannabis products on a monthly basis. Another 55 million Americans say they have used pot in the last year. That’s more than the number of active tobacco smokers (an amazing feat), which has been on the steady decline. This data comes from a Yahoo News/Marist national survey.
When it comes to psychedelics, it seems those numbers are on the rise too. Recent polling by YouGov found that around 28 percent of Americans have tried at least one of the seven most commonly used hallucinogenic drugs, which are: LSD (acid), Psilocybin (mushrooms), MDMA (ecstasy), Mescaline (peyote), Ketamine, DMT, and Salvia.
The largest number of respondents report having used LSD (14 percent), psilocybin (13 percent), and MDMA (9 percent) and mescaline (8 percent). The numbers for the other substances were a bit lower with ketamine and DMT both at 6 percent, and salvia with 5 percent. It’s likely that the numbers for ketamine would be higher if the poll were to be done again in another year or two, with the uptick of ketamine therapy centers we’ve been seeing lately.
Is cannabis really being used medicinally?
Most Americans support cannabis legalization, there’s no question about that. As a matter of fact, only 10% of people living in the United States think it should remain illegal. Now, this is where the numbers get interesting. According to the most recent data, 30 percent of people support legalization for medical use only, whereas an overwhelming 60 percent think it should be completely legal, for both medical and recreational purposes.
And this all stems from how Americans view and use cannabis themselves. Overall, it’s hard for most people to accept the idea of medical marijuana use. Despite the decades of research done on it, in the US, it’s still used largely independently, in unsupervised conditions. It’s consumed in ways that aren’t really conducive to medical use (smoking mainly, which is the most common yet unhealthiest way to use it). It’s purchased in dispensaries which, more often than not, have a vibe that’s chill, fun, stoner, and recreational.
Data from a past National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 17% of adults who used cannabis in the past year used cannabis medically. There were no significant differences between those who used medically versus recreationally in race, education, past year depression and prevalence of cannabis use disorders. Adults who use medical and recreational cannabis shared some characteristics, but those who used medical cannabis had higher prevalence of poor health and daily cannabis use.
Of course, there are some benefits to using cannabis, regardless of how you choose to do so. It certainly helps with things like sleep, nausea and pain, and it can be useful for treating mental disorders as well. But it’s still not quite what I would consider a medical substance. Therapeutic, yes; but the potential for major life changes is far less with cannabis than psychedelics. For me personally, pot helps immensely with my anxiety and depression, but I still view myself as a recreational user overall.
Psychedelics: A breakthrough for mental health
While the cannabis movement hit many roadblocks on its way to gaining wider acceptance, it’s been mostly smooth sailing for psychedelics reform. And even though this article is mainly about the US, we’re seeing the same trends in other countries as well; like Australia for instance, which became the first country to officially legalize MDMA and psilocybin for medical use, but adult-use cannabis is still illegal.
And not only are American citizens in support of psychedelic-assisted therapy, but there’s bipartisan support in congress, a growing body of scientific research, a booming industry with products and trade shows, high profile endorsers, and dedicated activist and patient groups like mental health advocates and veterans suffering from PTSD. This is because the discussion around hallucinogens has been primarily focused on supervised, controlled therapeutic use, rather than recreational use for anyone over a certain age.
“One of the biggest differences is that the cannabis movement went through state governments to first decriminalize the plant, then medicalize it, and then … recreational use came after that. Psychedelics are primarily going through the FDA and medical research”, said Jason Ortiz, executive director of the advocacy group Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
Furthermore, our nation is in the midst of a startling mental health crisis – from the opioid epidemic, growing rates of depression and suicide, teen and childhood anxiety on the rise, and the list goes on. It’s estimated that one in four American adults are living with some type of mental illness. Pharmaceutical antidepressants often don’t work and come with a slew of negative side effects, so people are seeking alternatives. The potency and powerful effects of psychedelic drugs, when compared to cannabis, make them more promising treatment options in this realm, as they have the ability to rewire the brain in ways that other substances simply cannot.
Final thoughts
At the rate we’re going, it wouldn’t be entirely surprising to see medical psychedelics legalized at the federal level, before recreational cannabis. It seems difficult for people to wrap their heads around the idea of cannabis being used medicinally. And for some odd reason, things that make us feel good or are simply fun, are often viewed as being wrong, so our government is reluctant to permitting adult cannabis use just for the sake of letting us have something we want. Medical psychedelics seem to have a stronger foothold in research and FDA approvals, so it will be interesting to see how long it takes before psilocybin or MDMA become federally legal.
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They seem to be total enemies – but can CBD help cats chill out around the Christmas Tree?
While is seems cats do things just to annoy their owners, there are reasons. And when it comes to the Christmas tree, there are manyfelines that causes the pull to be “involved” with the giant temporary addition to the festive season. They enjoy being high up to survey their surroundings and it makes them feel safe from predators. Yhe branches provide a fun climbing challenge. And they are attracted to shiny objects with the ornaments and lights. Like humans, cats enjoy the smell of live evergreen trees which is another reason they stay close. But can CBD keep cats from the Christmas tree?
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Alone, CBD can not keep them from exploring, but can be used as another tool to relax them and help them lose interest in wrecking a tree. CBD for cats has gained popularity among pet owners seeking alternative treatments for various feline health issues. CBD is generally considered safe for cats when used appropriately. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound found in hemp plants that interacts with the endocannabinoid system in cats, potentially offering benefits for anxiety, pain, inflammation, and overall wellness.
CBD could help cats with several issues during the holidays including reducing anxiety from visitors, decorations, and changes in routine. It can help alleviate pain and inflammation, which may worsen in colder weather. With the change in routine, it can help with sleep quality. And must of all regarding the tree, it can help them chill and relaxat, giving them a
Use products specifically formulated for cats, as human or dog CBD products may not be suitable. Follow dosage guidelines carefully. Consult with a veterinarian before starting CBD, especially for cats with health issues or on medications. CBD for cats typically comes in oils or treats. Oils allow for precise dosing, while treats may be easier to administer.
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Other ways to keep the cat from the tree is have a fake tree which is less dangerous than a real tree. A smaller tree is less likely to cause serious harm if it falls over. Use a heavy base or weights to prevent the tree from toppling over. You can also secure it to a wall with wire. Cats dislike citrus and foil scents, so you can wrap the tree trunk in foil and put orange or lemon peels around the base. Place cheaper, less sentimental decorations toward the bottom of the tree. Tie ornaments tightly to the branches to avoid loose, dangling temptations. Choose wooden or plastic ornaments instead of highly reflective ones. Tie plastic bags filled with orange or lemon peels around the base of the tree.
On the first holiday weekend, should you mix up online and in-store shopping? Well, there is definitely benefits for both – including Target’s new tie-in promotion.
Black Friday is With average holiday spending expected to reach over $1,000, it is important to capture the customers. Twenty years ago, malls were packed and the news reported Karen’s gone wild in an effort to snag shopping deals. Now things are easier with online shopping, but in-store experiences remain crucial. This year 26% of consumers plan to shop primarily in person for the holidays, while 51% plan to do both in-person and online. As usual, retailers offered early discounts and unique shopping experiences to bring people into brick and mortar.
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In 2024, the Black Friday shopping landscape has evolved dramatically, presenting consumers with compelling reasons to choose both online and in-store shopping experiences. Each approach offers unique advantages that cater to different shopper preferences and priorities. Online shopping continues to gain momentum, with 75% of shoppers planning to make purchases digitally in 2024.
The benefits are easy and they’re rarely a need to deal with a long line (except for very hard, limited release items). Shoppers can browse and purchase from the comfort of their homes. It provides access to extensive product catalogs across multiple retailers and easy ability to compare prices instantly.
Despite the digital surge, in-store shopping lends itself to being more festive and provide a longer, interactive experience. Shoppers have the ability to try on clothes, test electronics, and physically examine items and are three times more likely to make spontaneous purchases in-store. Usually food purchases from coffee, lunch to drinks are involved and it is considered a full activity. And shoppers arrive home with packages.
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Many consumers are adopting a hybrid approach. For instance, some shoppers visit physical stores to try products and then complete purchases online. Retailers are adapting by offering exclusive in-store experiences, like Target’s Taylor Swift album release and special giveaways. Many wine and liquor stores offer tasting and marijuiana dispensaries offer specials on products.
And the reason we call today Black Friday is thanks to the Philadelphia police department. Department stores in the city would hold huge sales to capitalize on the large crowds ahead of the Army/Navy football game. Vast crowds caused havoc for police and forced them to work harsh, extra-long shifts, resulting in them dubbing the day Black Friday, both to express their dislike of the day and to try and reduce visitors by making it sound less appealing.
The day before Thanksgiving has the honor of being two of the biggest consumption days of the year – are you ready?
While some people are prepping for Thanksgiving Thursday, the big feast and the holiday season afterwards, a significant amount are looking forward to Wednesday. The day before Thanksgiving has become a mini-holiday in its own right. It has become a time of robust celebration, so much it is known as Green Wednesday and Blackout Wednesday. It is a significant consumption day for both marijuana and alcohol imbibers.
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Blackout Wednesday, also known as Drinksgiving, has grown to rival major drinking holidays like New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day in terms of alcohol consumption. And cannabis is not far behind seeing a big spike in dispensary purchases on the same day. As legal cannabis moved across the nation, it caught on and gave options to people who want to “unplug” at the start of the holiday weekend.
Green Wednesday is a cannabis-centric moment the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. In in 2016, the phrase was coined when California cannabis delivery service noticed a significant uptick in orders the week before Thanksgiving. With over 50% of the country having access to legal weed, each year has only gotten bigger!
“Last year’s Green Wednesday had sales 72% higher than the average day. Flower accounted for 39.5% of sales with Vape at 23.7%, pre-rolled at 16.9% and edibles at 10.6%. Pre-rolled showed the biggest increase compared to the week before when it accounted for only 11.9%, so sales on Green Wednesday of pre-rolls specifically, were more than double a normal day.” shares Roy Bingham, Co-Founder and CEO of BDSA, one of the cannabis analytics firms.
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The original partakers start Blackout Wednesday, also known as Drinksgiving or Thanksgiving Eve. They helped make it become a significant cultural phenomenon. This unofficial holiday takes place on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and has gained notoriety as one of the busiest drinking nights of the year. The exact origins of Blackout Wednesday are not precisely documented, but the phenomenon is believed to have started decades before it was named. The term “Drinksgiving” dates back to 2007, while the first Google searches for “Blackout Wednesday” were recorded in 2014.
If you choose to celebrate, be safe, have fun, and have the ingredients for a hangover cure come the morning.
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