S1E57 - Larry Smith & Melanie Abrams - Inhibitions Down. Connections Up.
Our interview with Larry Smith and Melanie Abrams challenged our assumptions as we explored the many conceptions and misconceptions of cannabis use. Their new book, The Joy of Cannabis, is an attempt to clear up misunderstanding and describe the how and why of safely availing ourselves of the benefits. In the 1930s with the wane of Prohibition the commissioner of the Federal Bureau Narcotics, Harry Anslinger, attempted to retain personal relevance with racist and xenophobic fear mongering and criminalizing marijuana. Now, with no personal financial interests in a dispensary, Smith and Abrams hope to reset perceptions and normalize the discussion by reassessing the merits. They know the research and call for more. They discourage use before the age of 25 to allow full development of our frontal lobes. Not all weed is created equal, so they are pragmatic about finding what’s right for you. With much greater safety and effectiveness than alcohol, most importantly they point to how small amounts responsibly administered deliver outsized benefits of pain management, focus, flow, creativity, connection and even orgasm. The tidal wave of legalization is based on reclaiming the virtues. Join us to find out what you might not know.
Biography
“The Joy of Cannabis is a comprehensive guide for the cannabis curious to the cannabis connoisseur. For some, this book will further awaken their love for an elixir that's changing our culture and bringing pleasure to millions around the world. For others, this guide will inspire discovery of an ancient plant that's been used for both healing and happiness for thousands of years. From improving sleep and decreasing anxiety to promoting focus and making the ordinary extraordinary, recreational cannabis' time is now. Whether you purchase it as a self-care book for yourself or the men and women in your life or give it as a gift for a friend, get ready to experience the Golden Age of Cannabis. You're going to love it here.”
Melanie Abrams is the author of The Joy of Cannabis: 75 Ways to Amplify Your Life Through the Science and Magic of Cannabis and the novels Playing and Meadowlark. She is a developmental editor and photographer and teaches writing at the University of California, Berkeley.
Larry Smith is a journalist and storytelling evangelist touted by O: The Oprah Magazine as “on a quest to spark creativity in everyone.” He is the founder of the Six-Word Memoir Project and book series, editor of the book The Moment: Wild, Poignant, Life-Changing Stories from 125 Writers and Artists Famous and Obscure, and speaks on storytelling in schools and at companies and conferences.
https://www.thejoyofcannabis.org
https://www.sixwordmemoirs.com
Conversation recorded on November 3, 2023.