(Writing Portfolio) Myths About the Cannabis Industry

There are many myths about the cannabis industry, but are they true? Just like alcohol in the prohibition days, the public perception of marijuana isn’t exactly accurate.

Marijuana myth busters at your service. We’re here to set the record straight and offer truths to some common misconceptions spread by ignorance. Curious? Read on, my friend.

Myths About the Cannabis Industry

Sixty-one percent of American’s think that cannabis should be legalized and treated like alcohol; regulated, taxed, and illegal for children. But what about the rest? What are their beliefs based on?

In cases like this, most times it’s a lack of understanding. Federal regulations have made it difficult to confirm or dispel a lot of these beliefs. It’s no wonder that myths like the ones listed below stay in circulation, until now.

Myth 1: Hemp Is Marijuana

This one is confusing without a good explanation. Although both are in the Cannabis Sativa species, marijuana and hemp are not the same. Think of it like a rose and a carnation; both are in the flower species, but they are not the same thing.

Cannabis is one of the oldest grown crops. Early civilizations grew it to make fabric, rope, oils, and food. This original plant was bred with other similar types to create our modern hemp plant.

The hemp version of the sativa plant has less than a .3% THC level in it. You’ll sometimes hear it referred to as “ditchweed.” It is legal and has many uses from industrial to therapeutic. In fact, it used to be a farm crop harvested for making rope.

Other psychoactive plants were selectively bred with the ancient cannabis plant to create our modern marijuana plants. In ancient times, people used this version for religious practices and medical purposes. It has high levels of THC, which gives users the euphoric feeling.

Myth 2: Cannabis Is for Pain Only

Yes, users report that cannabis is an effective pain reliever for both temporary and chronic pain. But that’s not the only thing it’s good for. It’s also useful for many other conditions. Some of them include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Cancer
• Parkinson’s
• Digestive Issues
• Glaucoma

Keep in mind that due to federal and state regulations, retailers can’t legally claim that CBD or cannabis can do anything medically. For that, you’ll have to take the word of thousands of users worldwide or study clinical trial results.

Myth 3: Cannabis Is Worse Than Alcohol

This is another myth that we hear often, and this one goes way back. But it couldn’t be further from the truth. When you compare the long-term effects of each on the brain, it becomes clear.

Alcohol use physically changes the structure of the brain, namely the gray and white matter. Marijuana does not. A reduction in either of these critical areas of the brain leads to brain function impairments.

Comparing behaviors of both types of users, many times an intoxicated person becomes aggressive or reckless. Someone that’s high is calm and harmless.

Another point to consider, in 2015 alone, 33,171 people died alcohol-induced deaths. This number doesn’t include alcoholic liver disease deaths nor accidents and homicides stemming from alcohol use. No marijuana-induced deaths exist.

Myth 4: CBD Is Illegal

There’s some confusing information online about whether CBD is legal or not. You’ll see conflicting views and unclear answers. We got you.

In the simplest terms, CBD from plants that contain less than .3% THC is legal. Any higher than that and it’s illegal unless you have a medical marijuana license or live where recreational marijuana use is permitted.

Most of the time, CBD products you can order online or buy in your local shop come from the hemp plant. As you read above, the hemp plant falls into THC legal limit percentages.

Myth 5: Cannabis Causes Schizophrenia

This particular myth started as a mix-up in the cause and effect link between marijuana use and schizophrenia. Like depression, addictive tendencies, and bipolar, schizophrenia is a condition caused by sub-optimal neurotransmitter function.

Low dopamine production and regulation is the main culprit in these mental health conditions. This condition is hereditary, passed down in our DNA.

THC in cannabis raises dopamine levels, giving the user a rush of pleasure. Because of this, people with schizophrenia are more likely to use marijuana to self-medicate. It’s not the other way around.

Myth 6: Working in the Industry Is a Party

Many imagine working in the cannabis industry means getting high at work and jamming out to Bob Marley. Not even close. It’s like any other job, full of rules and regulations that the business and its employees must follow.

Whether you’re a grower, work in a dispensary, or are a budtender, staying compliant is important if you want to keep your job and stay in business. Along with intimate knowledge of compliance procedures, there are also specialized skills required, such as:

• Product labeling.
• Maintenance of inventory.
• Rules about consumption, specific to your county and state.
• Customer service and communication skills.
• State and federal agricultural regulations.
• Pesticide application certification.
• Cannabis waste management procedures.

Since the marijuana industry is new and in flux, things change fast, and individuals involved need the flexibility to adapt. So, you see, it’s not all fun and games like the myths about cannabis might have you believe.

Let Me Be Blunt

We hope this helped to clear up at least a few questions you had about marijuana and CBD. We realize that more myths about the cannabis industry, other than these, still exist. Marijuana use also carries a certain stigma with it, another myth that will change in time.

Going forward, we encourage you to do your own research on matters and not believe things based on hearsay. You know what they say about the truth, it will set you free – the real truth, that is. Know of any more marijuana myths we can debunk? Let us know in the comments.