What do people who have tasted cannabis legally for the first time have to say?

The «Ask Reddit» thread lets users ask the community any question they like, from «What cool stuff can I buy for under £20?» to «If everyone was a cow, what songs would Emeuuuhnem and all the other cow rappers sing?».

On September 24, an American user asked the following question:

«You who have tried marijuana for the first time after the recent legalizations, How has marijuana affected you?»

The thread was quite popular, with 9600 comments and 4200 upvotes. Here's a compilation of testimonials from people who have legally consumed cannabis for the first time.

Cannabis helped a loved one fight cancer

Several redditors shared the story of a loved one completing her cancer treatment by cannabis consumption, offering him a better quality of life.

A reddit user described how the cannabis helped his uncle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

«My uncle was recently diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer (lifespan less than 6 months). My mother took him on a trip and they passed through Colorado. Until then, my uncle was in a lot of pain, unable to sleep, eat or live a comfortable life.

I wouldn't describe my mother as a marijuana enthusiast, but she was desperate and went to a dispensary. She cried when she told me how the salesman prescribed the different types of marijuana. cannabis varieties to treat each of the symptoms. Sweets to soothe his throat so he could eat, etc. After a restful night, they went hiking the next day and enjoyed the rest of their trip.

My mother is now a fervent supporter of cannabis. She expressed how grateful she is to have been able to finish his last trip and see the mountains as he had always wanted.»

Another user recalled how his grandfather with bone cancer approached cannabis with a new perspective:

«My grandfather was very conservative and served in World War II, had never tried illegal drugs and equated smokers with losers. He never suspected my cousin or I (or my father) of smoking because we had jobs, went to high school and got good grades. He was completely influenced by the propaganda served up to fight drugs.

Anyway, we smoked together and he laughed, he cried, we listened to Johnny Cash and it was a great time for all of us. The revelation wasn't so much the’effect of cannabis, Instead, he realized that you could smoke weed without being a junkie or a loser. He even said how stupid it was not to legalize cannabis because it was just a plant, which wasn't as dangerous as he thought.

And to talk about therapeutic effects of cannabis, He had a lot of nausea and was taking anti-nausea medication that cost 750$ a pill and didn't work. Weed relieved his nausea and my grandmother even made us pancakes. Before that, he was living on morphine.

We left him the bang and the weed and he used it every day for the last two weeks of his life.»

Cannabis helped a cancer survivor regain her sexual energy

One woman admits that cannabis saved his marriage :

«I've lived in Colorado my whole life. I was never interested in cannabis when I was young. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, had a hysterectomy, and with my uterus, I lost my libido. I didn't use weed during my chemotherapy, but decided to try it after recreational legalization. I used space food, And when I was high, I wanted to make love. Marijuana single-handedly saved my marriage.»

Cannabis helped relieve his aching muscles ... with an unexpected bonus

From muscle relief, and a new appreciation of Pink Floyd? Now that's a win-win!

«I spent my childhood listening to the nonsense of DARE [Drug Abuse Resistance Education, a drug prevention association] and watching all my friends turn into stereotypical stoners. Growing up, I decided to give it a try because my neck and back are fucked up, and the doctors weren't doing anything effective. It took a HUGE chunk out of my pain, relaxing the muscles that were giving me trouble. I didn't lose my job. I didn't lose my memory. I'm no dumber.

And what's more, The Wall finally made sense.»

Cannabis helped a person with bladder problems

Cannabis has already been associated with a 45% decrease in bladder cancer risk, and a 54-year-old Reddit user noted similar help from consuming cannabis to treat bladder problems.

«What I can say so far:

1/ A bladder problem I've had for 10 years has improved by 90%. Much better than the medication was able to do.

2/ I get more out of music and LOL videos on Youtube

Space food works best on me.

I'm won over.»

Cannabis has made people hate the idea of prohibition

A redditor realized he was high on other perfectly legal substances throughout his life

«I obey the rules and have never used cannabis because of the warnings. I finally did, and realized I'd already felt «high» from lack of sleep or taking medication. It was really nothing, and disappointing compared to the dangers people talk about.

I've done it and it's such a simple thing that I can't understand the horror people describe (excluding people who abuse it, anyone can abuse anything). I just wish it didn't smell so bad, but that's secondary.»

Cannabis helped make everything incredible (sex too)

«I went to the coffee shop and bought 15$ worth.

I consumed it at home and was pretty stoned. I played with my dog and it was GREAT. I ate my dinner and it was AWESOME. I made love with my wife and WAS BLUFFED by how it felt.

It makes everything better. The food is better [reminder: this is the US where vegetables taste like water], the TV was more interesting [reminder: this is the US where the most watched channel is Fox News], the sex is crazy. It was just beautiful.

I went to sleep. I woke up and felt 100% good. No hangover, no desire to pull a latte, I went to work and rocked it all day.

It really pissed me off that it was illegal in the first place. I think of all the lives ruined for a plant. A plant that makes sex better.

Think about it. There's a plant that makes it EVEN BETTER and it's illegal in 95% of countries. This is such bullshit.»

Did we talk about sex?

Another user praised the the effects of cannabis on your love life.

«My wife and I are responsible adults (32 and 36) who had never drunk, smoked or used any drugs until 3 months ago. We live in the’Washington State, and after legalization we were having second thoughts about trying it. One day I went to a coffee shop and bought some chocolate. My wife was surprised to see me bring it back.

It was better than I could have imagined. We were happy, a little silly and loved every minute of it. We were also very uninhibited to talk about other things we secretly wanted to (mostly in bed). Since that night, we've had a much more passionate love life and a more satisfying relationship trying new things we'd always been afraid to talk about, lest the other disapprove. We have children so we don't smoke every day, but a few times a month and always look forward to the next one.»

But cannabis isn't for everyone

One redditor admitted it wasn't as great as he thought.

«I have more fun drinking than smoking. I don't think it's because of what I smoked, because my friends were having so much fun. I guess some drugs affect people differently.»

All the other answers on the subject are a fantastic insight into what can Americans think about legalization. And for that reason alone, this article should be shared with as many people as possible 😉