One woman I spoke with about how she felt
about stigma and cannabis stated “I am tired
of being called a lazy stoner, junkie because
I use cannabis. I use it for various reasons
and my family wonʼt even listen to my
reasons. Would it be better if I digested pain
medications that are damaging to my liver
and create even more health issues for
myself? Or I let them pump a bag of who the
hell knows what into my veins and my body,
We are now in a place and time in Australia
on a slim chance it ʻmightʼ kill the bad cells
and around the world where cannabis and
hemp use is fast becoming widely accepted. As when in fact kills my live healthy cells?.
Shouldnʼt it be my right to use cannabis
we learn more about the amazing health
medicinally without being labelled and have
properties cannabis gives from prevention of
cancer and seizures to daily herbal health care, my family distance themselves from me at a
millions of people worldwide are now realising time when I need them the most?”
(Wendy – 11th August 2015)
the benefits cannabis has in our lives. For
almost 100 years now there has been active
and ongoing smear campaigns led by the U.S. Upon speaking with a herbal and social user
government and other governments across the of cannabis she highlighted that “One way
world in an attempt to demonize the cannabis we can remove the stigma is through
plant and at the same time, suppress citizens education, just because we enjoy smoking it,
doesn't mean we're lazy, dole bludging,
who are, or would be involved in the use of
cannabis. Their motives are many from racist, bogans. We're not gonna run anyone down
in our cars, or quit our jobs and live on
economics and stereotype based on the
misinformation the governments have put out benefits, etc. People need to understand that
recreational use and medicinal use are one
for societies to suppress and control the
in the same. The ONLY difference is: we
cannabis culture. This is fast changing.
also do it to enjoy it.”
In writing this monthʼs article I felt it best to
(Kylie - 5th August 2015)
speak with people ʻon the front lineʼ of
advocacy and activism, and users of cannabis
in Australia. These people give their time and “Itʼs time cannabis is fully legalised, good
people should not be looked at as criminals
dedicate their lives to lifting the veil of
government lies and protecting the people who for choosing to use natural pain relief/
medicine.” Karen Burge
want and need cannabis in their lives.
Stigma ~ Raw Cannabis for Health
Stigma is defined as a mark of disgrace
associated with a particular circumstance,
quality, or person. With stigma comes labeling
and with labeling comes misconceptions and
substandard of treatment of people in society.
This month we want to raise the issue of
cannabis stigma.
Join us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rawcanna/
Watch more here:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmhLrNmlPeCIWB1BcTbf2QtVCZhlmIbaY