I think the D.A.R.E. program in the 80s, 90s, and probably through today are destroying mental health. I will stand 10 toes forward and with my whole chest to defend that statement.
No, I don’t think children should do drugs…AT ALL. But, I think there is way more nuance than “all drugs are bad all the time.”
The research coming out about Marijuana alone is enough to, at the very least, stop the stigma of Marijuana. We tell kids not to drink until they’re 21, but then think nothing of a glass of wine or a beer with friends. I am an adult. I know taking dirty air of any kind into my lungs is bad for me. But a THC mixer in a drink or a gummy is still looked down on.
I have so much anxiety about so many different things. In my 40s, I finally looked for answers. Autism and adhd have answered almost all of my questions. The tool box for me includes THC.
But anxiety is still anxiety. I know it is not a magic fix-all. A measured dose some evenings helps. It helps relieve the pain of a career on my feet. It helps ease the loops of conversations from that day, the replaying hoping I didn’t say the wrong things. It helps me realize that Rich and I are really good parents. It helps me know that God gave us our girls to raise and we are doing really well. While I am very aware of the stigma of a “gardening mom”, stigmatize away!
Our journey over the past year has finally given me the freedom to not give a single fuck what someone thinks of me, my relationships, my family, my parenting, or anything.
With legal Marijuana being available for years, my kids have grown up with “weed” billboards. Drugs have been a topic of conversations in our house longer than my new found drug use. While my views on using have changed a little, my message to my children has never changed. Not since the first time my very bright 6 year old asked about a “weed” billboard. You can try drugs or alcohol when you are 21, BUT your brain is NOT fully developed until well into your 20s possibly 30. It is very unwise to do anything that could hurt the development of that amazing brain that God gave you. That includes drugs of any kind and alcohol.
Our children are aware of my drug use, just as they are aware that my husband has a cocktail on occasion. It makes me sad that mine is still looked down on.
Now, no, I am not saying that THC makes me a better parent. What I am trying my hardest to tell you, it helps my brain interpret things in a way that doesn’t bring me anxiety. But having anxiety, I will ONLY take a measured dose. And for that very reason, I would recommend a measured amount that works for you. And remember, my medical advice should NEVER be taken. I’m a fucking hairdresser that speaks in cursive! I want more research, I want the stigma gone.
Now, for all of you SCREAMING about the long-term effects of prolonged THC, I hear you. As someone who can hyper-focus with the best, I know almost all of the negative effects. I have weighed the pros and cons for me. And for me, the pros far outway the cons. I’m pretty sure my fear of doctors and lack of preventive care will get me before anything else. Yes, I am under the care of a very good family medicine doctor. She is well aware of my lack of care up until now and we are working on a career plan that takes my anxiety into account. She is also aware of my drug use. She knows I do not smoke, take a measured dose, and will not operate a vehicle within 12 hours of taking that measured dose. All of those are my self-inflicted rules. That is what my anxiety let’s me do. That is how I justify my “drug addiction”.
But having gone through getting off an anti-depressant recently, I’ll take this “addiction”.
