12 years ago, while in Lake Tahoe, I took a nasty fall snowboarding that left me with broken my ribs. At that time, a holistic nutritionist suggested cannabis to treat my pain instead of painkillers. I smoked weed in college recreationally and on occasions would partake during concerts and music festivals, but I had no experience using it medicinally. I had another snowboarding trip planned to Colorado, so I was all in. I tried it and immediately felt the effects of lessening the pain and helping me sleep through the discomfort. I was able to continue with my snowboarding season, broken ribs and all. I then began experimenting with other ailments like PMS, stomachaches, headaches and found instant relief. I did not know then what I know now about Cannabinoids or the Endocannabinoid System.
After that winter season, I headed back to work. I have had a long-standing career in sales, which can be mentally stressful and can cause high anxiety. In addition, I was diagnosed with ADD and was placed on a medication that came with some side effects; I could not sleep, I lost my appetite and gave me increased levels of anxiety. I was prescribed more medications to treat all of symptoms, a total of 5 pills that I had to take daily. When needed, I would use cannabis to treat pain but I was very skeptical of using that many drugs at the same time.
I started hearing about people using Cannabis to help with ADD and it was at that moment that I started to increase my use and started seeing a therapist. That year, 2018, was the year that Cannabis became recreationally legal in California and I not only decided to educate myself on how Cannabis could help heal me in a more natural way, but to also purse a career in it. I went to seminars, women’s health groups, and spoke to cannabis healthcare professionals. I learned that when used correctly, it could help my sleeplessness, anxiety, ADD and depression. With the help of my therapist, research and trials, I was able to get off all the pills and live a more natural life.
Working closely with farms and manufactures has led me to many Hemp and THC products to test. I have tried most of the applications and this is what works for me in my daily routine. I start my morning with a hot cup of tea or water with lemon and Liquid Flower CBDa raw honey tincture to help start the day in a calm manner, help with my digestion and carry me into morning meditation. I also like their CBDa topical most days on my face as a daily moisturizer. The shea butter is very hydrating and the light sunscreen makes it perfect for under my make-up. To combat ADD during the workday I have a few go tos: I will use Cannapride CBD full spectrum tincture under my tongue, which helps boost my immune system and take off any irritation that comes from having ADD.
I am still in sales so when the pressure is on and I feel overwhelmed, I take a break and smoke some Hemp/CBD flower or I eat some CBD gummies to help calm any anxiety and combat procrastination. Since these products have .3% or less THC, I do not have to worry about being high or impaired during work hours. Recently I started playing with blends. I will mix CBD, CBG and THC flower in my bowls and my pre-rolls. I find this blend to be well balanced and gives me the kick that I need instead of using caffeine or sugar to get me thru the daily slumps. After my work outs if I experience inflammation or pain, I like to use my Liquid Flower Deep Relief Topical on my neck, shoulders and lower back.
In the evenings and on the weekends if I want to relax I will eat a THC edible or I will enjoy a good hybrid THC strain. I personally like flower that tests around 16-19% THC and has higher amounts of Terpenes. The power of plant medicine is in your hands. You get to decide if something works and by journaling, you can pin point exactly which cultivars aka strains help the most. Meditation, yoga, exercise and a healthy diet is the base of wellness for me. Cannabis has been a key factor in helping me transition into plant based medicines to manage any daily challenges that come my way, especially during the pandemic and our current political climate.
