The Impact of Legalizing Marijuana on Daily Life: Insights from a Daily Smoker in Canada
Recently, the legalization of marijuana, also known as cannabis, in Canada has sparked numerous discussions about its impact on various aspects of daily life. As a daily smoker, my experience with this legal shift offers unique insights into how legalization can affect users and their well-being.
Background: Canada's Marijuana Legalization
Canada is one of the first countries to legalize marijuana for both recreational and medical use on a national scale. This has led to significant changes in how individuals consume and perceive cannabis. In contrast, my native Netherlands has a more relaxed approach to the legal use of marijuana, allowing recreational and medical use. Thus, my observations may provide valuable perspectives for readers seeking to understand the impact of legalization in a different context.
My Consumption Habits and Goals
Currently, I consume approximately 2 grams of marijuana every 3 to 4 days, largely using a medical-grade vaporizer. This method minimizes harmful compounds and reduces the toxicity of the substance, leading to a cleaner, more uniform effect. As a daily smoker, my goal is to continue decreasing my consumption, aiming for healthier and more balanced wellness.
Cannabis and Sensory Processing: The High Sensitivity Factor
I have a condition known as high sensitivity, which causes me to be extremely aware of my surroundings. Small changes, such as a light blinking or a car passing by, can severely drain my energy. When under the influence of marijuana, it can help reduce this overstimulation, allowing me to function more effectively.
The Impact on Convergent Intelligence
Using marijuana can negatively impact convergent intelligence, which includes logical reasoning and sensory processing. As a result, it can slow down the ability to process consistent information, which might be detrimental to work and personal life. However, for me, this overstimulation by overexposure to sensory details is more draining. Thus, consuming cannabis helps to mitigate this impact, leading to an overall improvement in my quality of life.
The Benefits of Using Weed for Sleep Quality
For over two decades, my sleep was severely disrupted due to high sensitivity, leading to frequent wake-ups and poor rest. However, since legalizing marijuana, I have experienced significant improvement in my sleep quality. I can now sleep through the night and feel more energetic during the day. This is achieved by consuming cannabis at night, about an hour or later before my intended bedtime.
Cannabis and Divergent Intelligence
Cannabis also impacts divergent intelligence, which involves creative problem-solving and associative reasoning, with a lesser negative effect. It typically does not significantly impair memory or associative reasoning, allowing users to continue engaging in creative and logical thinking without losing awareness.
Personal Life and Well-Being
The use of marijuana has positively affected multiple facets of my life. By reducing the negative impacts of high sensitivity, I have become more relaxed and happier. Previously, social situations were physically overstimulating, leading to invitations for friends and family to visit more often. Now, I can maintain social life without the excessive energy drain.
Conclusion
The legalization of marijuana presents numerous benefits for individuals like myself, who suffer from high sensitivity and struggle with consistent daily functioning. The choice to use marijuana as a tool for managing these conditions is a personal one, but for me, it has led to a better quality of life. Whether one decides to use marijuana to improve their daily life or not is a matter of personal preference. What is important, however, is that with legalization comes responsible consumption and a better understanding of the benefits and drawbacks.