4/20 Special Edition Herbal Spotlight: Cannabis
…Yes, we’re going there.
Alright, let’s talk about the leafy green elephant in the room — cannabis.
I’ll be real with you: cannabis has never really been my thing. Besides some classic high school rebellion (you know the type), I haven’t used it in years. Every time I tried it, I ended up tired, nauseous, and feeling like I had a full-blown hangover the next day. Not exactly the blissed-out experience people rave about. So when it came time to highlight this herb, I knew I needed backup — someone who really gets cannabis, and can speak to its potential from a place of deep understanding.
🔬 Enter: Alex Toast - Check out our Facebook page to see Alex’s Video!
Alex is someone who doesn’t just use cannabis—he studies it, lives it, breathes it, and makes it a tool for creativity. I’m so grateful he helped guide this week’s spotlight because his passion really shines through. Whether he's explaining the endocannabinoid system like it’s second nature or creating music that makes you feel something real, Alex brings heart and science into the same room. (Seriously, check out his music and his work with Carbon Cannabis — where he’s combining skill, soul, and science.)
Medicinal Uses of Cannabis
Despite my own lukewarm relationship with it, I fully respect the plant’s powerful medicinal properties. Cannabis is wildly underutilized in mainstream medicine, especially when you consider its long history of use for:
Chronic pain relief
Reducing nausea and side effects from chemo or medications
Helping with anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD
Reducing inflammation and muscle spasms
Supporting appetite regulation
Offering relief from certain types of seizures (CBD especially!)
It's not some fringe, woo-woo miracle — it's a legitimate herbal medicine with serious therapeutic potential. And for so many people, it’s been life-changing.
A Quick Word on Safety
But — and this is important — not every herb is for every person, and cannabis isn’t harmless just because it’s natural.
One thing we must talk about is early use in teens and young adults. Studies have shown that heavy cannabis use under the age of 25 (while the brain is still developing) can impact:
Memory
Motivation
Emotional regulation
And in some cases, increase the risk of mental health struggles like anxiety or depression
This isn’t about shaming — it’s about being informed. As with anything in herbal medicine, it's all about context, dosage, intention, and timing.
Final Thoughts from a Non-Stoner Herbalist
So, while I won’t be packing a bowl or rolling a joint anytime soon, I can fully respect cannabis for what it is: a potent plant ally with deep roots, real risks, and real rewards. And I’m thankful for people like Alex Toast who are out here educating, innovating, and helping cannabis step into its rightful place.
Whether it’s your go-to for stress relief or something you’re still curious about, cannabis deserves more than stigma — it deserves a conversation.
Next up? Back to something a little gentler (and a little less likely to give me an herbal hangover).
Until then...
Growing honestly,
learning endlessly,
and forever cheering you on.
Nikki