Holistic Specialties Directory

HIGH TIME continued from page 54 Research Initiative, has been studying the impact of cannabis on opioids, trying to determine whether people who use cannabis can get sufficient pain relief from lower doses of opioids. Humans have an endocannabinoid system on which compounds in cannabis act. This system is implicated in a number of things, from mood to appetite. Our bodies produce endocannabinoids, which is why we have receptors for them, and those receptors also respond to cannabis. So, researchers are studying the therapeutic potential of cannabis for conditions like pain and PTSD, among many others.

Mark Leviton: Won’t big pharmaceutical companies take over the cannabis industry?

Alyson Martin: There are actually three giant industries looking at the cannabis business: alcohol, tobacco, and pharmaceutical. There’s still the question: Is cannabis medicine or a nightcap? Is it a drug you get from CVS or a plant you grow in your garden? Big Ag could add cannabis to the long list of products it controls, too. You can go online and read conspiracy theories about Monsanto for days.

Mark Leviton: What do you think will be the future of cannabis?

Nushin Rashidian: I think we’ll see research that will allow people to make informed decisions, and an end to the drug war and the disparities in arrest and incarceration rates that have come with it. It seems inevitable that cannabis is going to be federally legalized at some point. Republicans like the pro-business aspect and support the states’-rights issue, which is why one cannabis bill in Congress was called the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment through Entrusting States (STATES) Act. But Republicans would like to leave LGBTQ+ rights and abortion rights to the states as well, so progressive cannabis advocates really have to think about the possible side effects of using the states’-rights argument to legalize cannabis.

There’s also the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which, as you can see from its name, puts social justice at the center, using taxation to address the harms of racism in policing and so forth. It was passed by the House of Representatives in December 2020 but did not advance in the Senate. It was just reintroduced this year. Some people want state-run cannabis stores, with private industry completely excluded. Others want the whole industry to run like your local farmer’s market.

Alyson Martin: Cannabis is legal in Canada for both adult and medicinal use. Mexico could legalize cannabis by the end of this year. The United States is going to be squeezed on both sides, with Americans vacationing in Cabo San Lucas and Montreal, using legal cannabis, and perhaps wondering why their own country isn’t moving forward with similar policies.

Nushin Rashidian: New Zealand had a legalization referendum that was narrowly rejected in September. Australia is starting, region by region, to study this. Globally it’s happening. It’s going to happen slowly, of course, like anything else.

When cannabis is legalized, there’s still a question about whether it is going to essentially map against other commodities or whether it will set a new normal in terms of the social responsibility of corporations: Is this going to be more mom-and-pop? Is it going to be more multinational? Are we going to have the haves and the have-nots? So far, I’m not super encouraged that it isn’t just going to fall into ye olde patterns of inequity like any trade: the flower trade, the coffee trade, the sugar trade. What is a global market for cannabis going to look like, and will it repeat some of the unsavory and problematic patterns of the past? I think it still has a chance to not repeat them, but I’m concerned that it could.

This interview was originally published in the July 2021 issue of The Sun (thesunmagazine.org). It appears here by permission of Mark Leviton, Alyson Martin and Nushin Rashidian. (cannabiswire.com)

Mark Leviton is supposed to be retired, but it didn't take. He lives in Nevada City, CA, where his radio show Pet Sounds is heard every Monday on KVMR-FM. www.petsoundsmusic.com.

Directory of HOLISTIC SPECIALTIES

ANIMAL SERVICES

MASH Integrative Veterinary Care, since 1982. Dr. Margo Roman & Associates. 508-435-4077. Hopkinton, MA. MashVet.com

AROMATHERAPY

Perfumery with garden scents

and colors. Recipe booklet. Beginner suitable. Available for demonstrations and consultations. Joanne 508-799-0235.

ASTROLOGY

Eric Linter, over 35 years experience.

Readings, classes, daily forecast. stars@ericlinter.com. 508-541-4115.

CRYSTALS

Portal Crystal Gallery, 489 Mass. Ave, Arlington Center, MA. Open 7 days 1-4pm. 617-771-5119. Kyle@CrystalConcentrics.com.

DATING

Our amazing members value spiritual

growth, yoga, meditation and sustainable living. 21 years online! Meet your soulmate. www.SpiritualSingles.com.

DOWSING

Discover the science of dowsing.

Self-instructional DVD's, books, home of the original Cameron Aurameter. 805-649-5721. www.dowsing.com.

EMF PROTECTION

The Rejuvenizer®, protection from EMFs and other damaging frequencies. Strengthens the immune system. www.lighthealing.com. 512-301-2999

HOMEOPATHY

Abby Beale, CCH. Certified in classical homeopathy. Online and in person. Homeopathy relieves symptoms and restores vitality naturally. HomeopathyHealings.com

MEDICAL INTUITIVE

Intuitive Healing with Wendy Marks

Over 25 years, with long-term chronic problems a specialty. Very effective with finding root issues. Compassionate and committed. 781-449-5368. www.wendymarks.com.

PAIN RELIEF

Pat Lebau, MA, ERYT-500, Kripalu Yoga teacher, offers Integrated Positional Therapy sessions. PatLebauyoga.com

READINGS

Nancy Smith, spiritual medium and Akashic life readings. 978-835-0005. www.angelscapes.net

REIKI

Holy Fire III Training. Women of Wisdom. Katie Malloy Ramaci. Holy Fire III Advanced/RMT. 508-230-3680. Womenofwisdominc.com

Libby Barnett, MSW, MSW, Reiki Master Teacher and author. 41 years Reiki experience. 603-654-2787 www.reikienergy.com. CEU’s.

Northeast Reiki Center. Traditional Japanese Reiki Training. 508-808-5696. northeastreikicenter.org

SPIRITUAL GOODS

Mystical Banners. Hand painted wall hangings and altar cloths. Sacred symbols, angels, mantras and mandalas. Divine designs with a magickal twist! https://www.etsy.com/shop/ MysticalBanners

YOGA

Worcester Yoga Center.

Ann Bissanti, CYT. Over 30 years experience Iyengar yoga. 508-829-6300. worcesteryogacenter.com

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