There is a population of people that would greatly benefit from Cannabis, yet seem to remain forgotten. Being homeless brings on many challenges from a mental health standpoint. For many, those challenges add to the already existing challenges one faces housed or not.
There are no accurate methods of counting the homeless population. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the estimated homeless population in the US is 553,000. That’s 17 out of every 10,000 people. While in reality, it’s likely to be much higher. This diverse group includes families with children (30%). 1 in every 2 is unsheltered. 70 percent of homeless individuals are men. 17% of the homeless population is disabled and chronically unhoused. Veterans are 7% of those experiencing homelessness.
While the stigma is that mental illness is the cause of homelessness, the reality is that homelessness causes mental health issues, or exacerbates already existing mental health issues. Living on the streets causes severe distress. Being homeless is traumatic, it increases the risk of depression, PTSD, and other mental health issues that one may be vulnerable to from a genetic or environmental factor.
Cannabis can greatly help many in our homeless population. Access to a natural remedy to ease symptoms of mental health issues, is often more difficult for these individuals, even in legal states. Beyond financial difficulties that may limit one’s ability to obtain cannabis, people living on the streets frequently have all of their belongings stolen, or even thrown away by law enforcement during homeless camp sweeps. Others may have all of their personal belongings stored away and not easily accessible. Many are left with no ID and lack the proper documentation to obtain a new form of identification. A simple task for most, often becomes a major problem with many obstacles, for those lacking a home. No ID means no legal entry for adults in recreational cannabis stores, even if they have the funds to make a purchase.
Within the cannabis community, there are many who have experienced homelessness, or currently are unhoused.
“Whenever I have become homeless, cannabis helps ease the anxiety while I figure out whatever ropes I need to learn. It helps me get my head calm so I can think without the overwhelming fear that happens the first few nights.” Seth Cunnigan
“I didn’t smoke cannabis through my last homeless stint because I was doing the total sobriety thing, but it would have helped tremendously with the severe anxiety I struggled with. Even after they got me into an apartment, I slept in the closet for several months. I had no furniture at the time but it was literally the only thing that helped me to feel safe” -William Bradley
“I know that being homeless made me feel I would be judged harshly if I had medication even if it was donated. That said, the only time fear and despair wasn’t crushing was when I could calm my anxiety over being homeless, especially as someone with agoraphobia by using cannabis. Being agoraphobic and a shut in and being homeless? Talk about agony. I personally make it a practice to give cannabis to the homeless whenever I can.” -Victoria Hughes
A great way to help the homeless is to simply hand over a joint. Many strains of cannabis help ease PTSD and anxiety. Low THC strains are effective at treating mental health brought on or made worse by being homeless.
Blue Dream is a slightly sativa dominant hybrid with moderately high THC level that ranges from 17-24% on average. The effects of a Blue Dream are generally a calm head high and full body relaxation, that allows one to go about their day, without being held back by PTSD symptoms. For some though, the moderate level of THC may increase anxiety.
OG Kush helps with pain, stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia. It helps the consumer feel happy, relaxed, and uplifted. OG Kush helps to focus on the here and now.
Cannatonic is often used to treat pain, muscle spasms, anxiety, migraines, and a wide variety of other physiological and psychological symptoms, with a low THC and high CBD content.
ACDC is a sativa dominant strain with a high CBD low THC ratio. among its many benefits are relief from pain, anxiety, with a clear head.
“We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”― Martin Luther King Jr
We can all help reduce human suffering with small random acts of kindness. Gifting cannabis to homeless human beings will help provide them with some much needed great relief. The added bonus is the feel good feeling you get in return, when taking a few minutes of your time to have a conversation with another who’s living in circumstances that are more difficult than our own. If you’ve never been thanked for remembering that another is human, you haven’t really lived. We always help ourselves by helping others.
#WeedTheHomeless
Originally written by Kerry Cannon for CannabisActivismNow.com