For years now, I’ve watched as countless individuals in the cannabis industry consistently overstate the industry’s unwillingness to examine and discuss potentially harmful aspects of cannabis consumption. You can see this happening almost daily on platforms like LinkedIn, where people who mean well try to force the industry into conversations that a lot of us, quite frankly, simply choose not to have.
The industry has grown exponentially over the past decade and transitioning from an underground movement into a mainstream economic powerhouse hasn’t been for the faint of heart. For many of us involved in the industry, cannabis is a plant we revere, if not worship. One that’s healed, uplifted, and transformed our lives in profound ways.
But as the industry continues to grow, one critique keeps popping up: some claim the industry is unwilling or unable to openly address the potential negative effects of cannabis consumption. To outsiders, this resistance or hesitation may seem like a weird and dishonest blind spot, but within the community, the silence is much more complex, rooted in personal histories, societal pressures, and a deep-rooted distrust of mainstream narratives. And rightfully so!
More Than a Plant: A Symbol of Healing, Freedom, and Identity
For many operators and advocates, cannabis has only ever been a force for good. We’ve experienced firsthand its ability to alleviate pain, reduce anxiety, enhance creativity, and even reconnect people to a sense of well-being. To us, cannabis is not merely a product; it is a symbol of resilience, resistance, community, healing, and freedom. As such, our relationship with cannabis is deeply personal and overwhelmingly positive. As a matter of fact, everything in my life around cannabis has been positive; from helping my family deal with PTSD from war, to helping me pay for my college education, and a lot more.
It’s also important to remember the historical context in which this industry has grown. For decades, we as cannabis consumers were condemned and vilified by the media and marginalized by mainstream society. We were portrayed as lazy, irresponsible, and morally corrupt, facing legal consequences that separated families, destroyed lives, and stigmatized entire communities.
For nearly a century, cannabis consumers and patients have been made to feel “less than” for consuming a plant that, in our experience, has brought nothing but relief. And to this day, mainstream media and government campaigns still push false narratives, associating cannabis with danger, while spreading racist bs and lies.
Yes, Let’s Talk About Overconsumption of Cannabis – But on Our Terms
This background helps explain why so many of us in the industry are hesitant to engage in discussions that might be perceived as critical of cannabis. We’ve spent years pushing back against misinformation, so the thought of offering any ammunition to those who continue to perpetuate anti-cannabis rhetoric feels like a betrayal of our journey and the cause we continue to fight for.
Yet, just because the cannabis community has predominantly experienced the positive side of this plant doesn’t mean that the industry isn’t capable of discussing responsible use. It’s entirely reasonable, and in fact necessary, for the industry to address potential negative outcomes, especially around the concept of overconsumption of cannabis.
But the nuance here is important: overconsumption of cannabis is a deeply personal concept, one that varies from person to person. No one can dictate what is best for each individual’s unique endocannabinoid system. What may be therapeutic and beneficial for one person could be overwhelming for another. Hence the term, cannabis is personal to us all.
The challenge is that in a society where cannabis has been so grossly misrepresented, there’s a reluctance to explore even the possibility of harm. This isn’t because industry professionals are unaware or dismissive of potential issues, but because, for too long, the conversation around cannabis has been dominated by fearmongering and outright lies.
Mainstream media has consistently portrayed cannabis as harmful, so it’s no wonder that those within the industry are wary of entertaining discussions that might reinforce these false narratives.
Don’t Confuse Caution with Irresponsibility
It’s important not to conflate the unwillingness to engage in negative dialogue with a lack of responsibility. Most people in the industry understand that with any substance, be it sugar, caffeine, alcohol, or cannabis, there is an inherent risk when consumed in excess. This is not a reflection of the plant itself, but rather of human behavior.
Overconsumption of anything carries the risk of harm, not because the product is inherently flawed, but because moderation is a fundamental aspect of human health. The potential for negative outcomes when consuming cannabis is not unique to this plant; it is part of the broader human experience of managing substances.
A Call for Balance, Not Betrayal
So, should the industry be more open about the potential pitfalls of cannabis? Yes, but not at the expense of perpetuating the same myths that have been used to suppress the plant for generations.
The cannabis industry should absolutely encourage responsible consumption and foster open conversations about balance and individual limits. But it must also continue to stand firm against the decades of misinformation that have painted cannabis in an unfairly negative light.
I think it’s completely wrong to demonize an entire industry for not focusing on potential harms when, for so long, the world has refused to acknowledge the plant’s overwhelming benefits. We should continue to advocate for education, research, and dialogue, but not in a way that feeds into the stigma and misunderstanding that has persisted for entirely too long.
The cannabis plant is not flawed, people and their behaviors–sometimes are. That’s a conversation worth having, but it must be approached with balance and respect for the history, context, and deep personal relationships that so many of us have with this powerful plant.
