Chances are, if you picked up a copy of Playboy Magazine at the gas station, you didn’t do it for the interesting editorial pieces. The magazine is, of course, known for the beautiful women who grace its pages, but there are instances where this adult magazine can also be incredibly educational. Not just for determining the perfect hip-to-waist ratio, but also for debunking some of the biggest myths surrounding cannabis.
“We at Playboy want to help tell the real story for connoisseurs and those just becoming curious, with the help of a series of prominent figures in the cannabis world, by exposing and countering some of the most significant misconceptions surrounding cannabis,” the magazine states. These myths and the stereotype of the typical stoner have allegedly contributed to the criminalization of users, growers, and sellers, but is that really justified? You’re about to find out, because we’ve summarized Playboy’s points for you.
Read also: DMT makes encounters with elves, aliens, and gods a reality
Myth 1: The ban on cannabis keeps criminals off the streets
Of course, it’s a wonderful idea that banning a substance directly reduces street crime. But with cannabis, this might actually have the exact opposite effect, explains Maritza Perez, director of the Drug Policy Alliance. “Prohibition creates an underground market where violence can be used as a mechanism to control the market. Moreover, in an unregulated market, consumers may not know the full extent of what is in the product they are consuming, which can harm an individual’s health.”
In other words: criminalizing cannabis can actually lead to more dangerous situations. Additionally, Maritza makes a strong case for legalizing cannabis because it allows law enforcement to focus on solving and preventing truly violent crimes. When you consider that in so many countries, you can face several years in prison for possessing just one gram of cannabis, you have to wonder if the system is really well-regulated.
Read also: 5 unique Amazonian herbs that make you a happier person
Myth 2: Cannabis is a gateway drug
One of the biggest myths that has been circulating for many years is that long-term cannabis use leads to the use of many other types of drugs, including hard drugs. Martin A. Lee, co-founder and director of Project CBD, sees it differently. “Study after study suggests that using cannabis with opioids can make opioids safer. It appears that cannabis can prevent the development of opioid tolerance and the need for dose escalation,” he says.
Cannabis educator and author of *The Ultimate Guide to CBD: Explore the World of Cannabidiol*, Jamie Evans, agrees. “It turns out that cannabis can be an effective solution to combat addiction,” she says. “Research has shown that CBD interacts with the opioid receptors in the brain that help regulate pain. These receptors are the primary targets of pharmaceutical painkillers, making cannabis a potential solution for replacing dangerous opioid pills and a tool to reduce cravings.”
Read also: Is this the new secret weapon for weight loss?
Myth 3: Vaping is unsafe
Let’s be honest: vaping and smoking are probably anything but healthy (especially during a crisis like COVID-19), but the claim that vaping is unsafe has never been substantiated by long-term scientific studies. “Of course, smoking is ‘bad for you,’” says Katie Stem, CEO of Peak Extracts, which produces edibles and other cannabis products. “Heat and particles can damage the lungs, but the biggest danger of smoking is the other chemicals produced during combustion.”
Stem notes, for example, that there are no known cases where vaping cannabis or well-produced and regulated products—in which additives are prohibited—has ever led to lung disease. “My personal opinion is that low-temperature cannabis vaping is the safest way to inhale cannabis,” says Stem. “Vaping cannabis oil from a reputable source is still safer than smoking.”
Read also: Using your vaporizer to trip? It’s possible with the Trance Mix!
Myth 4: Legalizing cannabis will solve all problems
Yes, here’s one for the pro-cannabis crowd (which, of course, includes us). You sometimes hear that legalizing cannabis could solve virtually all problems. But that’s jumping the gun, says Andrew DeAngelo, co-founder of cannabis retailer Harbourside. “Legalization is step one. Step two and beyond is creating a smart framework for regulation, taxation, and community access—and for everyone who wants to participate in the new industry.” And that could take some work.
“It’s only the beginning of the big job ahead of us, and it will take a generation, if not two, to get it right,” says Stem. For example, look at California, where the legalization of cannabis has actually caused quite a few problems. “No one is making money. The illegal market dominates the state. Customers have no access, and it’s a shitshow,” says DeAngelo. In short: legalizing cannabis is worth examining, but it must be done the right way.
