Thoughts About Mary Jane
As someone who has used weed medicinally for six years now, I could go on forever about the benefits it has for me and how it is difficult for me to function without it. I have severe anxiety and I have intense anxiety attacks, and I have extreme migraines that no amount of ibuprofen can sway, and the precious flower has been the only reliable medication I have found for myself since I turned 18.
Although this is true for my experience, I am aware that all drugs affect people differently and that for some people, smoking every day would completely incapacitate them from being able to function. I appreciated hearing Brown's perspective that pointed out that weed can be used to keep someone from feeling wholly. I feel that I personally don't do this often, but I do live with men who exclusively use weed as a way to detach themselves from feeling, and that is definitely harmful in the long run.
I also deeply appreciate Brown's attention to harm reduction when discussing drug use, not leaving that part of the conversation hanging in the air. She writes about the topic without judgement and gives the feeling of empathy through the ways in which she encourages others to respond to those who are struggling with addiction.
Art: Portrait of Suzanne by Auguste Levêque.
