Cannabis in the Outdoors

By Ben Owens

Thanks to cannabis, many children are able to experience the proven benefits that nature can have. Try these tips out on your adventures and avoid some of the most common mistakes.

As a child, I was all but groomed for outdoor adventures. I spent hours building forts out of dead logs, going camping in a tent with my entire family, and hiking endless trails throughout the Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest. I only attempt to adequately convey the sense of satisfaction, wonder, and awe that is found after a long day’s hike, watching a sunset from the summit of the trail, or getting up early to catch a sun rise while boiling breakfast on a tiny, backpacking stove. Unfortunately, not every child is able to experience the wonders that outdoor adventures offer due to conditions beyond their control. Some are unable to carry heavy items, exert physical energy for sustained periods of time, or even interact with their friends and family due to incapacitating symptoms such as uncontrollable seizures or chronic pain.

Cannabis has allowed these families, and these children, to live “normal” lives, enjoying “normal” activities without the restrictions that come with handfuls of pharmaceuticals. Many treatments can all but sedate children. Cannabis allows them to enjoy a better quality of life and take advantage of outdoor adventures such as hiking, camping and backpacking. This article will discuss the impact that nature can have on a young life, the benefits of encouraging adventures with children, and some tips for avoiding those typical “first timer” mistakes while enjoying the great outdoors.

IMPACT THAT NATURE CAN HAVE ON A YOUNG LIFE

Once you become accustomed to your child’s cannabis treatments, regulating appropriate dosages, and accounting for differences in effects, introducing them to the outdoors can be an eye-opening experience. It may instill a deeper appreciation for nature and the world around them, especially if they’ve never gotten the chance to enjoy a hike through the woods or a campfire on the beach. Studies1 have shown that outdoor environments have a positive impact on our health and may influence how physically active an individual is or becomes. The health benefits of doing so are greater among those who previously did not participate in outdoor or physical activities. Studies have also shown that spending time in nature can help with stress reduction and social cohesion,1 helping your child bond with others in a relaxing environment. Hiking and time spent in nature has also been shown to stop negative, obsessive thoughts,2 which children may have if they feel negatively affected by their conditions or their need for medical cannabis.

MAKE ADVENTURES A FAMILY OUTING

When I was growing up, we spent countless weekends setting up tents, cooking hot dogs over the fire, and going for long hikes. We often set out with no destination in mind—simply to enjoy the breeze, trees, ocean or escape the busy bustle of school, sports, and activities. One of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors is to do so with people who you enjoy. Whether you’re a parent, family member, best friend, scout leader, or any other adult role model, sharing the activities that you enjoy with children in your life helps make that energy contagious. If you love the outdoors, share that love with a child in your life.

Now, not everyone is a huge fan of the great outdoors. My dad, for instance, was not a fan of camping. My mom grew up loving everything about it. Eventually, her enthusiasm for everything outdoorsy caught on, first with my dad and eventually with my sister and I. Since, we’ve spent the last 20+ years camping every year for Thanksgiving. I’ve been to Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan, driven up and down the east coast exploring The Outer Banks and the shores of Maine, backpacked for almost two weeks in the backcountry of the Southwest, and explored scallop diving and natural springs in the panhandle of Florida. Every memory that I’ve made has been that much more memorable because I shared it with others. Making time to take a child, teenager, or young adult with you and share your passions—whether it's a day of disc golf or a week in a tent—will offer them years of memories to look back on and share with others when the time comes.

TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST FAMILY ADVENTURE

Now that I’ve convinced you to take a child on an outdoor adventure, it’s only responsible of me to pass on a few pieces of wisdom to help you and yours enjoy that adventure without running into typical “first time” issues.

Bring extra water. One of the first mistakes many people make on their adventures is assuming that they’ve brought enough water. Always bring extra. Best case scenario is that you end up bringing an extra water bottle home.

Start slow. Pick a short, easy adventure for your first outing. If you’re going hiking, keep it under a couple miles. If you’re camping, try a single overnight and see how that goes. You can always decide to go a little further up the trail or stay one more night at the campground.

Take your time. One of my biggest weaknesses is a blind focus on the end result: the summit, the peak, the final camp destination. I’m regularly working on focusing more on the journey and taking in all that I can. Your adventures don’t have to be races; the destination will still be there whether it takes you an hour or four. Take time to rest, breathe, drink water, take pictures, touch, smell, and feel the world around you. Showing appreciation for these aspects of your adventure will teach the children in your group to do the same.

Keep track of how far you’ve gone. Make sure someone knows how long you’ve been out and how far you’ve gone. Getting lost can be scary, stressful and even traumatizing. Many people who had a bad experience in nature as a child will steer clear of outdoor adventures as adults. Avoid the potential for this issue by bringing a map, setting a stopwatch, using a GPS, or some combination of the above.

Bring a first aid kit. Even if it’s a small cut or a thorn that won’t come out of a finger, discomfort leads to unhappiness. Having a small pack of common first aid items such as bandaids, antiseptic, and tweezers can save you quite the headache.

The great outdoors offers an almost unlimited amount of potential adventures for you and the young ones in your life. Thanks to cannabis, many parents and children are now able to take advantage of natural areas, hikes, campouts, and even mild outings such as picnics or beach days. Just be sure to familiarize yourself with how cannabis is affecting those using it and how it is impacting their experiences. To learn more about outdoor adventures and how cannabis can empower and enhance your outings, be sure to follow this column in each issue.

P.S. Don’t forget to take a few pictures or keep notes from your outings! My mother has journaled about every camp-out our family has taken, and I absolutely treasure these memories, many of which I was too young to remember first-hand.

https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/full/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-032013-182443 (1) “Nature and Health.” Terry Hartig, Richard Mitchell, Sjerp de Vries, Howard Frumkin. Annual Review of Public Health 2014 35:1, 207- 228. - https://www.collective-evolution.com/2016/04/08/doctors-explain-how-hiking-actually-changes-our-brains/ (2) “Doctors Explain How Hiking Actually Changes Our Brains.” Collective Evolution. April 8, 2016.