Plant Power: Decolonizing Marijuanas' Medicinal Properties
Plant Power: Decolonizing Marijuanas' Medicinal Properties
K'eiłdeezbaa' Morgan
Navajo Nation
Research Log 1
“Sharing Ones Skin” by Jeanette Armstrong
Jeanette Armstrong Summary:
In the reading "Sharing Ones Skin" by Jeanette Armstrong , we are told how being in a colonized environment can cause us to drift and lack knowledge of our own traditional homelands. Armstrong continues and explains to us her teachings of her Okanagan culture and their important relation to the land. In her culture they are very important as the Land would be nothing without the People. Every healthy Okanagan individual knows their connection to the land.
Jeanette goes on to share how in her culture, the humans, and the land go hand in hand. They are very much equals.
Now knowing we are earth pieces, we are those who come together in this collective to build and create harmony. Our actions not only affect us, but our collective of our sisters, brothers, community, and the land we inhabit. She tells the story of the four capacities of self; the physical, emotional, thinking intellectual and spiritual self. When combined and all become balanced within yourself you are at your greatest and reach the inner peace and connection to life.
Morgan, Keildeezbaa. 2021. Personal Photo
MLA Citation:
Armstrong, Jeanette. “Sharing One Skin: The Okanagan
Community,” in Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith (eds), The Case Against the Global Economy. San Francisco, CA, Sierra Club Books, 1996. Pp 460-470.
“How place names impact the way we see landscape” By B. Toastie
Screenshot, Sept 30, 2022.
When searching my hometown on google, Lake Valley (which is still up and running today) is not featured. Instead a ghost town under the same name is shown. This relates to place names because my hometown isn't easily recognizable, very rural, but is very much alive. This causes it to be hard for people to know about our community out on here traditional lands.
“How place names impact the way we see landscape” Summary:
In the article "How place names impact the way we see the landscape" by B. Toastie, they share the knowledge about names given to historical places and natural landmarks. The emphasize the impact of how any label given, is a representation of our Earth. The indigenous viewpoints from a Navajo perspective from Laura Tahoe expressed how the name brings reconnection with the people and the land. When you use colonial names such as Washington, Lincoln, wtc.. You are giving ‘power to the dead’ when those who have passed on should not be called upon or disrupted in their time in the afterlife.
When you use a traditional name, it was created for the land by its first inhabitants and that is very sacred and rightfully expresses the importance of that area, street, landmark, and more. Using these names gives the Earth its proper recognition for all that it gives to us. Using these names also help aid in educating those that are non-native or those natives who are wanting to learn become more aware of the stories of the names. They help us learn our history so we can pass them down and keep our indigenous cultures alive.
MLA Citation:
Toastie, B. “How place names impact the way we see landscape.” High Country News: Know the West, 1 May 2022, https://www.hcn.org/issues/54.5/people-places-how-place-names-impact-the-way-we-see-landscape. Accessed 27 August 2022.
Research log 2
Virgin Records Archives. "Counterculture 1960s". https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/steve-hillage-gong-interview/. Accessed 09 Dec 2022.
Stanford University Research into the Impact of Tobacco Advertising. "Counterculture Propaganda". https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jan/31/super-bowl-marijuana-industry-advertising. Accessed 09 Dec 2022.
The decade of “revolution of social norms in clothing, music, drugs, dress, sexuality, formalities, and education” and “irresponsible excess, flamboyance, and decay of social order, due to the abundance of drugs'' (Roger, Morgan). Definitely two opposing viewpoints. In the article ‘Cannabis Flower Power & Its Influence in the Sixties’, The Cleveland School of Cannabis describes how the 1960s era of peace, love, and flower power was a means of exploring new ways to experience pleasure, and that new way was: marijuana. But keep in mind, back in the 1960s, cannabis was very much illegal, punishable with a minimum sentence of 2-10 years with a fine of up to $20,000. Whereas today 20 states fully legalize recreational and medical marijuana, 32 states decriminalized marijuana, and 50 states allow medical marijuana. This ‘hippie weed’ was being illegally imported. With the amount of time it took to reach consumers, it had become less potent, and plain old. The cannabis THC levels you would get from these plants would be no more than 5% whereas today the ‘milder’ stains come in at 10-20%, 5x stronger. “Simply put, without the sixties’ flower power, we wouldn’t have legalized cannabis today.” (CSC) Since the 1960s, the use of cannabis medically and recreationally has become way more widespread and almost ‘normal’. In my SHP, I aim to help destigmatize the use of cannabis and help our indigenous relatives begin to see this medicinal plant AS medicine and AS its intended purpose, with its impact on society. This moment in time was a defining aspect in cannabis culture and pushed the plant's social acceptance.
Csc. “Cannabis Flower Power & Its Influence in the Sixties.” Cleveland School of Cannabis, 28 Aug. 2020, https://csceducation.com/blog/cannabis-flower-power-its-influence-in-the-sixties.
Unknown. "Mahashivaratri". DNA. Mar 01, 2022. https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-mahashivratri-2022-know-why-lord-shiva-is-known-as-gangadhar-what-it-means-2936798?UTM_SRC=breakingnews. Accessed 09 Dec 2022
TANYA ,MALIK. "Mahashiratri 2022". Herzindangi. 01 Mar 2019. https://www.herzindagi.com/society-culture/mahashivratri-chant-these-shiva-mantras-please-lord-shiva-article-86940. Accessed 09 Dec 2022.
In this article ‘History of cannabis; The history of the cannabis plant’ from the University of Sydney's Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, an overview of the origins of cannabis sativa is established. The usage of cannabis originated in central Asia and Western China. “The first documented case of its use dates back to 2800 BC, when it was listed in the Emperor Shen Nung (regarded as the father of Chinese medicine) pharmacopeia.” (UOS). The medicinal properties of cannabis have been used since its origin, compared to nowadays the plant has been constantly slandered since then. Cannabis’s intended use was for healing properties, and therapeutics. The therapeutic purposes have also been found in Hindu, Greek, and Roman texts. In 2800 BC cannabis was mentioned in Emperor Shen Nungs Pharmacopeia and this is believed to be the first documented usage of cannabis. University of Sydney says, “The ancient Hindus thought the medicinal benefits of cannabis were explained by pleasing the gods such as Shiva.” Serving Shiva allowed for the application of cannabis in religious activities to appease the gods, this would heal them, such as taking away their fever and body aches. Following these historical events, in 1841 William Brooke O’Shaughnessy from India, introduced cannabis to western medicine with his knowledge of a case where cannabis stopped convulsions in a child. In 1937, the Marijuana Tax Act went into effect. In 1996, California was the first state to legalize medical cannabis. More recently, in 2017 Australia legalized medical cannabis and in 2017 CDB was found to reduce seizures in childhood epilepsy.
“History of Cannabis.” The University of Sydney, https://www.sydney.edu.au/lambert/medicinal-cannabis/history-of-cannabis.html#:~:text=The%20use%20of%20cannabis%20originated,father%20of%20Chinese%20medicine.
Unknown. "Ride with Larry". Amazon. 2013. https://www.amazon.com/Ride-Larry-Smith/dp/B01M3SQ85U. Accessed 09 Dec 2022.
Unknown. "Larry and his Wife". IMDb. 2013. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2386281/?ref_=tt_mv_close. Accessed 09 Dec 2022.
In the documentary “Ride with Larry '' the usage of medical cannabis is applied when improving the life performance of Larry Smith, a Parkinson's patient, as he bicycles across South Dakota. In these clips, I by far enjoyed part 3 the most because of the interaction between Larry and his friend. The documentary gives a very clear raw view of how other patients can inform and educate other patients. Larry's friend who helps him administer the medical cannabis was very calm, reassuring and provided a safe area for Larry to try this drug. “Don't try to communicate, just relax” (Ride with Larry) are some calm affirmative words used to ease Larry into the new medication. The endocannabinoid cannabinoid system is helpful and almost important in regulating impaired motor activity. Larry here was provided with relief of very visible symptoms. His face was relaxed and his fingers could extend and contract as easily as ever. Larry was happy. The smile across his face showed he was amazed, he was able to calm down, and feel control over his life. Clarity. “Isn’t that amazing” Larry's friend chimes in. “Hands were rock steady, Dyskinesia left”, another woman in the room says. “A person like me could use marijuana” (Larry) With open mindedness, you will just have to try it. Be optimistic. New treatments come out everyday and we don’t question them as much as we do with natural plant medicine that is ALSO backed with many studies. A good comparison would be the hesitation about the covid vaccine (man-made) and hesitation about medical marijuana (natural plant medicine).
The “Ride with Larry'' documentary helps my SHP by directly showing the medical relief in a patient and most importantly with how we can use this plant with one another to help, educate, and brighten someone's life. A really good quote that I can paraphrase is “medical cannabis did not cure my diagnosis, but gave me control over it” (TedTalk). This quote has stuck with me since the first time I heard, and since then, the power of medical marijuana became evident. Man made medicine such as opioids lead to death more than cannabis, and are more easily regulated and accessible, but are given to patients with an already weakened immune system? Something about that really throws me off. You can see in the video, how little he uses to medicate himself, and the intense relief it brought. When it comes down to medicating, I really like the analogy of what sounds better, taking maybe a 10mg, or half of a 10mg gummy, or taking 5 pills on a daily basis? The overwhelming happiness that fell upon Larry's face when he could use his hands and function to the best of his ability again was heartwarming. These are the stories we need to hear more of in the media to in return ‘decolonize’ the mindset around medical cannabis.
“Medical Marijuana and Parkinson's Part 1 of 3.” YouTube , https://youtu.be/LHvPIXGsrHk. Accessed 14 Oct. 2022.
ICIA. "Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association". 2022. https://www.indigenouscannabis.org. Accessed 09 Dec 2022.
In “A New ‘Indigenous Cannabis Association’ Aims to Unite America’s Tribes Around A Medicinal Plant That’s Always Been with Them” by Joan Oleck, the unity of Indigenous tribes is displayed and gaining recognition through their efforts in working their way up in the Cannabis Industry. The article makes the connection of “Indigenous Day” being adopted rather than “Columbus Day” to how cannabis should be accepted the same way, since it was around longer than Europeans and the Americas discovered the plant.
In the current era of many Indigenous voices being heard and recognized, one plant that has been here for centuries still continues to be silenced despite the activist efforts made to reduce the stigma behind marijuana. “A true history of the plant will help facilitate truth and reconciliation for our Indigenous communities ro reclaim plant healing and sacrament,” Mary Jane Oatman, Executive Director of the ICIA states, to share her support to reduce the stigma around this plant, and doing this by education and embracing the plant in Indigenous communities. They tackle the mindsets we have been conditioned to surrounding marijuana and address how this instilled connotation has led to negativity not just surrounding marijuana, but in many aspects of our life. This is simply because as Indigenous people, we correlate real history with our own cultures history and that is what some of us mostly know. Personally, I was not raised where cannabis was talked about as a healing plant, I was taught it was bad, it was not going to get me anywhere good in life, but this was my mom’s fixed mindset passed down to me, and I plan on changing this generational stigma.
Oleck, Joan. “A New 'Indigenous Cannabis Association' Aims to Unite America's Tribes around a Medicinal Plant That's Always Been with Them.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 20 Oct. 2022, https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanoleck/2022/10/19/a-new-indigenous-cannabis-association-aims-to-unite-americas-tribes-around-a-medicinal-plant-thats-always-been-with-them/?sh=2b1c4b6571a0.
Kimber, Arezzi. "Kimber Arezzi and her son". Syracuse. https://www.syracuse.com/marijuana/2022/06/good-moms-and-dads-sometimes-smell-like-weed-how-the-marijuana-stigma-nearly-destroyed-one-new-york-mother.html. Accessed 09 Dec 2022.
The “old-fashioned” views on marijuana are still insanely present today which almost caused Kimber Arezzi, mother to a non-verbal autistic son, to lose her family and everything she had worked for her entire life. Kimber Arezzi who has been working in the cannabis industry since October 2018 shares, “ Legal weed that is recommended to patients. Everyday I teach how the plant can create a myriad of different medicines. Each medicine may help life look a little better as your body feels a little better, “ because she recognizes the unique value of this plant. The stigma surrounding her career field, caused those who worked at her son's school to send CPS 4 times to her house for being “too stoned” to provide for her child. She was absolutely devastated and in shock that this situation ever had to occur, but ultimately defended her son and his mental disabilities, herself, her career, her family, and of course to defend the cannabis plant.
Hearing about this story shattered my heart. This is horrible. The effects felt from part-taking in an adult recreational activity, and in medicinal healing have been more negative than positive. Kimber Arezzi is an advocate, she is a new inspiration to myself. Not only did she work hard to provide for her son and take care of him, she catered to her son's special needs, neuropathy, non-verbal autism, which can be very draining and frustrating for many parents and guardians. Kimber never backed down from her cannabis usage and experience with the plant and showed how proud she was to understand and feel the benefits. “When the agent asked if I used marijuana, I proudly answered, ‘Every single day.’” (Arezzi). This is exactly the reality we need to stray away from. The agents that arrived were also very uniformed on marijuana and Arezzi had to pull out medical records, her medical card, her husband's medical card, both of their caregiver cards just to prove they were allowed to carry cannabis and handle each other's prescription per the NYS regulations. The stigma does not affect just the way we view a person, the stigma controls their life, it threatens their peaceful means of life. We can see here how Kimber’s mentality loses its strength, CPS cases, losing her husband. Arezzi was walking on a runway of eggshells. This is not a healthy way to live your life, looking over your shoulder, and feeling the need to constantly validate your perfectly legal actions.
Arezzi, Kimber. “'Good Moms and Dads Sometimes Smell like Weed': How the Marijuana Stigma Nearly Destroyed One New York Mother.” Syracuse, 17 June 2022, https://www.syracuse.com/marijuana/2022/06/good-moms-and-dads-sometimes-smell-like-weed-how-the-marijuana-stigma-nearly-destroyed-one-new-york-mother.html.
Cameron, Rogers. "The Stigma of Cannabis Culture with Vic Styles." https://dearmedia.com/shows/freckled-foodie-friends/. Accessed 09 Dec 2022.
In this podcast the host Cameron Rodgers sits down with Vic Styles, CEO of Black Girl Smoke and Good Day Flor. They share their thoughts on the stigma surrounding cannabis and their experiences with it as they grew up to indulge and take part in using marijuana and other products. They talk about how alcohol is a normal social indulgence and the acceptable surrounding drinking as an activity compared to staying home with your friends and getting high as a good time. “Alcohol is okay, but DON’T do drugs” Cameron Rodgers recalls what he dad used to say to her. Today, she remembers that phrase because it has led to her change of perspective today. On the other hand Vic Styles used marijuana more growing up because her mom viewed it as a medicine and used it for the medicinal benefits. Her mother was very supportive of marijuana legalization and decriminalization, but Vic would hide her usage from her very high ranking office father. It is a personal choice, weed or alcohol, and no one should be shamed either because in the end they both can alter your mental state and have risks. “I thrive, but there is so much stigma around it.” (Rogers)
“Suddenly, mommy wine culture is acceptable, but once I start talking about taking an edible at night people think I’m like the worst mom in the world, so, a lot needs to be done.” (Rodgers). Here Rodgers starts the convo off with how the stigma has placed a negative label on her, just because she said a simple phrase. This supports the claim that cannabis has been demonized throughout history and ‘taboo’ to bring up. They talk about how those people of color, minorities, and women talking about and advocating for a plant that does not have a voice, will bring this change. Ultimately this will be more powerful as they take back the plant that was rooted in their history, their social culture, and community. We need a more growth mindset from the nation's current fixed mindset on marijuana. Tackling alcohol and pressures to drink was another thing we needed to bring attention to. Rodgers and Styles discuss how they have been pressured to drink saying ‘it's legal’, and the funny looks they have received alongside the instant judgment they’ve faced after deciding to drink and going to smoke instead. This acceptable activity of drinking is okay, everyone knows alcohol is okay, AS long as you’re 21, but marijuana is a hard drug, gateway drug. Vic Styles says weed is a gateway drug, you do not see people moving onto meth and heroin after smoking, but it opens a gateway to new mindsets, new perspectives on the world around you, and self discovery in a sense. “Caffeine is also a drug. Sugar is also a drug.” (Styles)
Rodgers, Cameron . The Stigma of Cannabis Culture with Vic Styles. Freckled Foodie & Friends. Season 4 Episode 14. Dear Media. April 20, 2022. Freckledfoodie.com
Research Log 4
In Awka, Nigeria, there is a stigma regarding cannabis users. This article aims to deconstruct and display how we can view cannabis as normal, but through generational stigmas and perceived mindsets, we are far from normal. Users around the globe, and here in Nigeria, have come up with ‘innovative ways’ to cover up their cannabis consumption which places them under labels as ‘secretive.’ This makes them look like ‘closeted or drug addicts in denial’. In Nigeria, cannabis is accessible, and its use is increasing. While it is increasing, the number of subcultures is forming and popping up to allow this specific region to cushion the effects of negative stigmas put onto them by having a community, ‘which helps them manage their ‘otherness’ or social difference in the face of persecution and social stigma.’(Ugwu & Emeka W. Dumbili)
Law enforcement carries out extrajudicial practices by apprehending individuals who ‘look like cannabis users’. These stigmas are not only felt nationally but globally. Those apprehended are forced to pay bail, and their human rights are abused and undermined. Cannabis stigma is harmful and we can see how the cruel punishments are not only carried out in the United States. But cannabis is viewed differently from region to region. Here in America we have citizens from all backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and each having their own beliefs, practices, mindsets, and morals. Here, we are currently embracing diversity on all levels in various ways, since we are a collective of cultures and we have legalized marijuana almost as a collective. But other countries can view marijuana as bad depending on their culture, stories, history, and if any, their regions background with cannabis. Other counties are more directly tied to cultures within their country opposed to America. But, many can benefit from understanding the cannabis plant, how it ‘works’, what it can do, the history of the plant and how it has been demonized globally. “They are perceived as deviants, ‘irresponsible’, and social misfits. In most instances, they are feared for belonging to one criminal gang or another.” (Dumbili) This quote is what could almost unite the cannabis community such as those who support or recognize its place in the world currently. When you say the word, cannabis, marijuana, weed, you can expect some funky looks, faces that say ‘shhh’ begins to arise. Being open minded to a new way of healing in today's world, should not make you a criminal. This quote almost brought up a question of, could this stigma, since the article is coming out of Nigeria, be racial? And if so, how does this feed into the history of cannabis and racial discrimination since it was not within the United States history? What is the racial
Citation:
Ugochukwu T. Ugwu & Emeka W. Dumbili (2022) Inhaling thick smoke: cannabis subculture, community forming and socio-structural challenges in Nigeria, Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 29:4, 345-354, DOI: 10.1080/09687637.2021.2004998
Image:
Encyclopædia Britannica. “Nigeria (Image 1).” Image. https://www.britannica.com/place/Nigeria#/media/1/414840/61986. Accessed Feb 27 2023.
NDLEA, boss. “Buba Marwa (Image 2)”. Punch Nigeria Limited. 27th May 2021. https://punchng.com/if-cannabis-is-legalised-nigeria-becoming-den-of-junkies-criminals-marwa/. Accessed Feb 27 2023.
Corio, David. “Fela Anikulapo-Kuti (Image 3)”. Getty Images. https://thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2021/09/18/why-fela-fell-in-love-with-marijuana-baba-ani/. Accessed Feb 27 2023.
The coca leaf. The plant which the illicit drug cocaine is derived from. In the leaf's natural state it does contain psychoactive components such as marijuana, but the levels are low, “The alkaloid content of coca leaves is quite low, between 0.25% and 0.77%. It takes 370 kilograms (or 815 lbs.) of coca leaves to produce one kilogram (2.2 lbs.) of cocaine.” (Lodges). Such as peyote, another plant Indigenous to tribes in the US, and marijuana globally, coca has fallen under harmful labels due to its misconstrued connection to the highly addictive dangerous cocaine. The Andean, an Indigenous tribe in South America have been using this plant and incorporating it into their own religious practices and daily life. The leaf has energizing properties and various health benefits, especially in regards to the stomach area of the body. The Andean live in high altitude environments and energy can be drained quickly and breathing can become exasperated, but when they chew on the Coca leaf they are able to adapt and live comfortably in their home environment as it relieves the challenge their environment can bring.
Currently coca leaf is legal and regulated in Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina and they work to defend the traditional usage of the plant. They push for this since there are many unregulated markets, such as the unregulated cannabis market, that give a bad reputation to its name, and are producing illegal cocaine with the leaf and needs to be eradicated for proper coca leaf distribution. Just like cannabis, coca leaf is consumed in various ways such as directly, in this case chewing, not smoking, through tea, candies, chocolates, pastries and more. “While problems related to cocaine use have overshadowed the importance of the coca leaf, this traditional plant, sacred to both the Incas and to today’s Andean indigenous people, is still very present in the everyday life of Andean communities.” (Lodges). Through the Andean way of life and South America's mindset on a natural plant linked with cocaine, I know recognizing the true purpose of holistic medicines is important when viewing them in current modern presentations. This helps show how the words themselves, ‘cocaine’ and ‘marijuana’ can strike fear into the everyday citizen who does not have the best education surrounding marijuana and coca leaves. This shows how stigma is instilled within us, but we need to break free from conditioning and view the plants as gifts from Mother Earth that were provided to heal if used intentionally and healthily. Returning to plant's root and understanding how we have reached this very judgemental ideology is vital and can help individuals re-evaluate other stigmas within their own life.
Citation:
“Coca Leaves: The Andean Solution for Altitude Sickness.” Andean Lodges, 27 Mar. 2020, https://andeanlodges.com/en/coca-leaves-the-andean-solution-for-altitude-sickness/.
Image:
Unknown. “Andean People (Image 7)”. BBC. June 9 2015. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-33312962. Accessed Feb 27 2023.
Unknown. “Coca leaves (image 8)”. Ecoan. June 2020. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/07/reforesting-andes-polylepis-indigenous-people. Accessed Feb 27 2023.
In the podcast Growcast hosted by Jordan River, he dives into conversation with Martin Condon. Condon is from Ireland and provides his current perspective of cannabis in Ireland. Martin Condon is a cannabis activist in his region of the world and is very open about his passion for marijuana. In his early teen years he recalls feeding into the negative stereotypes surrounding marijuana and knows the phrases of, “that stuff will rot your brain” and “the devil's lettuce”. Martin was just like many of us who grew up learning marijuana was dangerous. A pattern I begin to notice is those who now comprehensively view marijuana as beneficial and not as bad as it is made out to be, used to be against it and not always accepting of marijuana. This was the case for Melvatha Chee who I spoke with in earlier research. His cannabis activism was ignited and took off when he had an encounter with police officers and was victim to an unreasonable car search and blamed for marijuana possession. From then on, he participated in many acts of civil disobedience and invited others to protest with him as they embraced cannabis and shared the impact it can make with others.
Martin Condon recites how after 1918 and before 1935 cannabis was being grown across various parts of Ireland. The purpose for this new found growth in the country was mainly for the flavor properties, and how it could be used as food. The hemp plant and marijuana plant with thc components were being used here. Cannabis was also being grown to serve as land claims and many Britain colonies followed in doing so. In the time before 1977, Indian Tobacco was how Irish Law referred to cannabis. Currently, the modern medical marijuana system in Ireland is “extremely restrictive and immoral” (River). Though the system was brought about in 2018, funding has not been consistent or substantive until 2021. The program also only consists of 4 approved products but only 2 are available to approved patients. Even patients with sclerosis do not qualify for the medical marijuana program unless it is specifically spasticity sclerosis, even though both deal with chronic pain and symptoms that interfere with their quality of life. Condon says, “less than 50 have accessed medical cannabis.” (Condon) This results in unregulated markets again. In Ireland there is a patient in his 50s who has suffered from opioid addiction and was apprehended for the possession of marijuana. The amount of marijuana they found on him was less than .25 gram. The man, at his age, was dealing with a medical condition that caused his chronic pain and his doctors prescribed his opioids knowing he is a recovering addict. He tried to explain he was uncomfortable with the medication and felt marijuana was a safer option for him, but was immediately shot down.
Citation:
River, Jordan. “Irish Cannabis Cultivation, European Cannabis Legislation, Activism, and More with Martin Condon (worldwide December)”. Growcast. Dec 6 2021. Accessed Feb 27 2023
Image
Unknown. "Jordan Rivers.” YouTube. Jan 06, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtsTShhwWtw. Mar 20, 2023.
A Green Future:
Marijuanas Medicinal Properties
For my first-semester action plan, I gave a presentation to an adult audience within the Santa Fe Indian School to educate them about the medicinal properties of marijuana. This was to address the problem of marijuana being demonized and displayed as a non-medicinal herb due to its modern commercialization. I incorporated and provided reliable resources, shared the personal experience of my Grandpa who was a medical marijuana patient and his daughter who had fallen victim to harmful marijuana stigma, but has grown from her fixed mindset and now sees the value in medical marijuana. I also shared the knowledge I have gained from professionals in the field.
Audience : Exclusively staff, adults over 21.
Date of Event: Friday (11/11/22) Veterans Day (Grandpa was a Vietnam Veteran)
Materials Provided: Activity brochures to gather the current perspective and mindsets. (Information from professionals, doctors, and users in my personal life.)
Uninformed, uneducated, and conditioned to the label placed on cannabis.
Feeding into stereotypes, stereotypes that ‘decolonizing’ does not entail.
Problem:
Negative perception from the start.
Lack of knowledge, uninformed, uneducated, and conditioned to the label placed on cannabis.
Lack of awareness, feeding into stereotypes, stereotypes that ‘decolonizing’ does not entail.
Unregulated markets
Dismissal of benefits of marijuana
Solution:
Educate
Inform
Provide resources
Share personal experience
Share professional knowledge
“Commercialization of THC. Saying we’ve legalized weed is misleading. We commercialized THC.” (Ben Cort)
Outcome
Many audience members said they were very informed and enjoyed especially the history part of my presentation. They learned something they did not know of before.
One audience member explained her support for the research. She also is for the benefits of the plant and efforts to destigmatize the way we see it as well.
Another shared they knew of an 88 year old veteran who always smokes out there on the Navajo reservation and he tells everyone it's what helps him, what gets him by.
Another shared how they are 100% for the benefits of it, especially how it can combat opioid addiction.
Many staff were informed and educated about my topic. They saw how it has become ‘colonized’.
Citations:
Morgan, Keildeezbaa “Image 1”. Nov 11 2022. Authors Personal Collection
Morgan, Keildeezbaa “Image 2”. Nov 11 2022. Authors Personal Collection
Morgan, Keildeezbaa “Image 3”. Nov 11 2022. Authors Personal Collection
Morgan, Keildeezbaa “Image 4”. Nov 11 2022. Authors Personal Collection
Morgan, Keildeezbaa “Image 5”. Nov 11 2022. Authors Personal Collection
Morgan, Keildeezbaa “Image 6”. Nov 11 2022. Authors Personal Collection
Morgan, Keildeezbaa “Image 7”. Nov 11 2022. Authors Personal Collection
A Female Perspective
For my second-semester action plan, I held an informational activity about how the media can harm our perception and how stigma can block us from forming our own opinions, perceptions, and morals. I had the girls on my floor fill out a questionnaire I created to see how they could identify misrepresentation within various media forms. Some of the questions I asked were about the medium of choice, such as a radio ad, YouTube ad, Instagram ad, and more. Then I asked why you think they chose that form, and to that, they responded that younger individuals use them and are more susceptible to false or disinformation. I asked them what stereotype the media was presenting and what could be why they wanted to portray this message. Their answers ranged from Native American stereotypes, movie stereotypes, and marijuana stereotypes and stigmas.
Audience: First Floor Girls, South Wing
When: Wednesday (3/1/23) evening.
Why: Women are more likely to experience stigma and stereotyping.
Materials Provided: Questionnaire Handout
Morgan, Keildeezbaa “Girl 1”. Mar 1 2023. Authors Personal Collection
Morgan, Keildeezbaa “Girl 2”. Mar 1 2023. Authors Personal Collection
Morgan, Keildeezbaa “Stigma Handout”. Mar 1 2023. Authors Personal Collection
Morgan, Keildeezbaa “Girl 3”. Mar 1 2023. Authors Personal Collection
Morgan, Keildeezbaa “Sign in sheet”. Mar 1 2023. Authors Personal Collection