That’s why the results of a recent study involving stressed-out mice caught the attention of the public as well as the scientific community: the mice repeatedly gravitated towards weed to relieve them of stress. They weren’t trained to do so, nor were they tasked to do so. It seemed as if the mice’s biology prompted it, as it likely found cannabinoid consumption soothing.

Another fascinating takeaway from the study: counties with medical marijuana laws saw a 15% drop in booze purchases. This is after the researchers accounted for factors that influence drinking patterns, such as employment, income, and age among others. Additionally, this study utilized Nielsen retail scanner information, which relies on hard sales data. The results are clear: marijuana is a good substitute for alcohol. And when people can legally access it, a significant portion of the population will choose it instead of alcohol.

THC has unfairly been stereotyped as a drug that causes laziness and lack of motivation. Stoners were unnecessarily referred to as couch potatoes, disengaged, and unproductive. Unfortunately, this stigma is still around despite revolutionary advancements in medicine, science, and culture.

When we encounter headlines about scromiting or cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, we should approach with caution but most importantly critical thinking. It’s spreading fast because fear will always travel faster than nuance, but the average cannabis consumer really shouldn’t be worrying so much.

Microdosing has gained popularity as the primary approach to taking psychedelics. It refers to taking tiny, minute amounts of the drug in doses so low they don’t actually induce hallucinations or cause a major altered state of consciousness. The doses are often so low that the effects aren’t obvious (but that would be the whole point) - and individuals can still stay productive.

Cannabis is one of the best natural therapies out there for ADHD, but it should be used with careful thought and caution. Keep in mind that the very same product that can help improve focus for someone with ADHD can cause another to get derailed if the timing or dosage is off.

Given there are serious limitations to pharmaceutical cannabinoid medications, it’s clear that the problem lies in the insurance system that has yet to evolve alongside patients' needs and medical science. There is a clear disconnect when insurance companies can cover synthetic cannabinoid drugs but can’t acknowledge the medicinal value of whole cannabis compounds. Then again, the issue circles back to the federal government.

On the other hand, cannabis shows contrasting effects on the human body. There are studies proving that cannabis reduces alcohol intake, regulates inflammatory pathways, and can help manage or treat liver disease. Many people are even switching up alcohol for weed, simply because pot is safer and much healthier for the human body.

However, cannabidiol (CBD) is tremendously effective at treating anxiety. It’s more appealing than pharmaceutical drugs for treating anxiety, and CBD is also natural. There is a growing distrust of pharmaceutical drugs since they are usually synthetic and have several side effects, which can compromise one’s quality of life. These include nausea, sexual dysfunction, emotional numbness and blunting, and addiction.

One of the most immediate ways we’ll experience the benefits of rescheduling cannabis is on medical and scientific research. Keeping cannabis in the Schedule I category imposed massive regulatory barriers that made it difficult to study the plant, even for renowned and established clinical or scientific researchers. Strict DEA requirements and severely limited supply of cannabis that could be studied, were all major hurdles for researchers.