A few weeks ago I gave a presentation to a group of people on how cannabis can save the world.
Some people had already heard/knew some of the things I said. However, the overwhelming majority were seriously shocked by most of the new knowledge I presented.
Many had never heard much of the history of cannabis (and this includes both marijuana and hemp), let alone the many ways it can benefit our society. Maybe that surprised me, I’m still not sure.
Whatever my feelings might be, it became really clear that we need to start shouting this from the rooftops!
So, can cannabis really save the world? I honestly believe so. Let me tell you why.
How Cannabis Can Save the World
Oh man, where do I start?
Let’s talk about deforestation for a minute. We’re cutting down trees at an alarming rate – a rate that is unsustainable for future generations. It’s a huge issue for our environment and one that makes me cringe every time I hear it.
A lot of those trees are going towards the manufacturing of paper. This is doubly unfortunate considering hemp is a much more viable option. As little as 1 acre of hemp can produce as much paper as 4-10 acres of trees over a 20 year cycle. And don’t forget, hemp talks way less time to grow (I’m talking 4 months versus decades). It has a higher concentration of cellulose, the principal ingredient in paper, and hemp paper is actually far more durable – it won’t turn yellow or crack and deteriorate.
Then of course you have plastic. You know, that evil menace made from polluting, non-renewable petrochemicals that’s currently overflowing our landfills and filling up our oceans? Hemp can help here too.
In fact, some of the earliest known “plastics” were actually made of hemp. Today, while only a few companies are making 100% hemp plastic, many more are experimenting with partial hemp plastic, filling in the gaps with other plant materials.
Paper, plastic… then of course you have fabric, rope, even building materials like insulation and concrete. These are just some of the ways we can incorporate cannabis into our daily lives, and cut out those materials and manufacturing processes that are harming our planet and our future. Really makes you wonder why it’s not being used more widely, doesn’t it?
But then, it doesn’t even take into account the other uses and ways this versatile plant can help save the world…
Medical Uses for Cannabis
Just as the cannabis plant has been used to make “stuff” for thousands of years, it’s also well-known for its medicinal properties.
Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana is used to treat a number of different conditions, including:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Appetite loss
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Eating disorders such as anorexia
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Mental health conditions like schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscle spasms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain
Thankfully, the research on these and the fact that most states have now legalized it for the treatment of such conditions, has helped to remove some of that long-held stigma.
CBD
Many of the conditions medical marijuana is used for can also be helped with cannabinoid (CBD), including:
- Addiction and withdrawal
- Anxiety and depression
- Arthritis
- Headaches
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscle pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures and epilepsy
- Skin conditions
Then of course you also have the seeds and oil from the hemp plant, which are highly nutritious, packed with essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, and amino acids. I sprinkle those babies on all kinds of dishes not only for the protein, but because they also taste really good!
Cannabis has been cultivated and celebrated for its different uses for thousands of years. It’s just in the last 100 that it’s gained a bad reputation, and even though many are working to repair that reputation, there’s still work to be done. Hopefully the knowledge of how cannabis can save the world will help with that. So cheers to a better, cleaner, safer tomorrow!
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