The Invisible Woman?

samantabha

climbing the mountain of the mind
Company Rep
It's good to get input like yours @oliveoil. I get a lot of support on this site, but in the "outside world" I sometimes feel a little shaky. There are so many of us who look at each other knowingly when there is mention of cannabis. Yet you hesitate to say anything outright. It's a valid protective mechanism, especially in these days of police crackdowns. I understand that the last couple years have seen some of the highest numbers of arrests for possession across the country. But how are we going to counter the myths and get some justice - finally - if everyone keeps their mouth shut?
As for kids, I have made the decision not to throw it in front of their faces, but not to deny or hide away either. That means that if they find something and ask a question, I don't shy away from it. I think they deserve an honest answer and truthful information. I have pro-marijuana literature in the house and if someone wants to read it, they're welcome to it.
I think about when I was a kid and how my dad got horribly drunk about 3 nights a week. As kids we truly suffered. We were never physically abused, but my mother was. I remember huddling beside my bedroom door in the dark crying and wishing they would just stop, stop, STOP. All the yelling, the hideous verbal attacks that were like poison entering directly into the skull. Not knowing if my mom was hurt.... That was alcohol. I told myself when I was six that when I grew up I would burn every bar in my hometown down. I still don't like what drinking does. It killed my brother-in-law, a wonderful man, prestigious heart surgeon. It killed my dad. It's killing my brother. I feel so much emotion and indignance on this subject of marijuana vs. alcohol. It's very clear why I would feel that way. I'm not going to have my kids grow up the way I did, dealing with the results of alcohol abuse and bereft of the knowledge that there are better options. Simply put, humans are going to use intoxicants. I think we should try to use the best ones, the ones that don't tear us down, but bring us up.

On another topic, but related to visibility (marketing to women), I found this article a while back about how perceptions about pot have to change to include women. Here's the article and an excerpt:
http://www.thecannabist.co/2014/03/05/potheads-pumps/5549/

“Women tend to buy more edibles than men,” she says. “It could be because of health concerns, or maybe the difficulty of masking marijuana’s odor leads to concerns of being outed as the farcical pot-head. Regardless of gender, most people do not want to be labeled a pot-head.”
That may be particularly true for moms and professionals, and West says that even though the stigma against women is changing, more work needs to be done. As part of that work, businesses can take female consumers seriously – and gain a huge hold on the market.
“The culture hasn’t been very proactive in reaching out to women,” West notes. “Now, where it’s available legally, the stigma is changing, both for men and women. We just need to do a better job of showing how to fit cannabis into a lifestyle that’s attractive for women.”

So true. I remember partying back in the 80s, wondering why I was the only woman passing the joint. There were a few girls in high school who smoked, but they belonged to the "freaks" group (as opposed to "nerds", "greasers" or "jocks"). The rest of us were not willing to carry the title of 'pothead'. Or maybe, at that time at least, we felt ourselves to be too innocent of such things? I read books about drugs, practically cleaned out the high school and public library. I immersed myself in the high philosophic ramblings of Timothy Leary and Aldous Huxley, thrilled to the sardonic Hunter S. Thompson and entered the dark side of William Burroughs. But all that stuff I couldn't show to anybody, couldn't talk about to anyone. Not even the party people. They wouldn't have listened to me. They were too busy getting just stoned to the point of passing out (i.e falling asleep in the living room Lazy Boy - what a great party huh?) or cranking up the stereo (admittedly awesome stereo systems, far better than what anyone I know has now). For a long time I felt wierd, like I was between worlds. Here I looked like this innocent young know-nothing but underneath I was very much aware of what constituted the drug scene (in fact I invented worlds beyond it through my reading and imagining). Such a divided sense was alienating. I learned not to express myself in it, but to kind of file away my experiences, hoping I think for a better time. I've attached some of it to Zen meditation (as in using the pristine clarity of an acid trip to describe fresh and insightful ways of seeing). But now things are becoming freer. And there's so much to talk about, so much nuance to explore and share. It's like adding a new vocabulary. I'm finally starting to "come out" as a woman and a mother - who, yes, vapes. I know there are a lot of other people like me. To be recognized as both an activist and consumer force is something I hope for more women.
 
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samantabha

climbing the mountain of the mind
Company Rep
Hot damn, I do enjoy reading your posts lady. It's like witnessing an awakening.

How was the NORML meeting btw?

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/10/marijuana-and-the-modern-lady/280828/
Thank you so much for the article, Magic9! I am now mining it for various ideas to coalesce an essay around. It does fit right into this thread, of course. I'm happy to see that I'm not alone in my feelings. In the article it talks about "hardworking women" enjoying the relaxation of pot smoking. Wow, I really fit that bill. For the last 7 years I had been working two full-time professional jobs, plus taking care of my family and managing to travel and have a social life. It was crazy! (I'm now back down to 1 full time job and 1 part time). But the point is that there ARE people like us, who do not fit that traditional 'stoner' image. I do consider myself a kind of hippie, regardless of the office work I have to do. I don't think that that core part of me is ever going to be wrenched out. But then, that was there even before pot. It's not like smoking or vaping turned me into a different person.
About your compliment in regard to my writing. I just want to tell you that it totally made my day. Most of the time I feel like I'm just throwing things out into the ether or whatever. I really enjoy expressing myself, dragging these little treasures up from the deep to expose to the sunlight. But I have no way of determining their ultimate worth or impact on my own. I rely on a reader. When you said "hot damn" that was the best. I just smiled and smiled. I hope everyone here feels comfortable enough to say what they mean, make it their own and bring it out so we can all feel the light. Because I'm a woman, my focus is naturally on women. So many of us just don't talk publicly (we talk in our little circles). I'm going to look up some of the links that were in the article. It would be great to get more involved.
Speaking of, I never made it to the NORML meeting :( I had the wrong date and place. Turns out it wasn't being held in Milwaukee, but in Union Grove - and the time was 4:30 pm. I couldn't go because it overlapped with another event. I'm going to make sure I go next time, though.
Peace and Love!!!
 
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samantabha

climbing the mountain of the mind
Company Rep
I felt the need to post something here again. This came about after bringing a book with me while traveling called "The Benefits of Marijuana" by Joan Bello. I had been hiding it in my bag for most of trip through Michigan and Ontario, but when I returned to Wisconsin on the Lake Michigan express ferry I put it on top of the table in the lounge and didn't bother to keep it covered up. Why should I? It's a good book and why shouldn't everyone know about the benefits of marijuana? A couple fellow passengers gave me a curious look. I bet they were dying to ask me some questions about it. The more I thought about it, the more adamant I became in my mind that I should make this a kind of a personal mission. If I open up and put things out there, then other people are going to feel more emboldened too. It's the way of humans. We copy each other naturally. We feel protected by other people blazing a path. Then it occurred to me (I know I'm kind of late in coming around to all of this, bear with me) that I don't need to vape or smoke or ingest in any way at all. I could just spread books around! To be an advocate for justice, for compassion and knowledge, is something this world needs. My friends in Toronto are big activists for marijuana legalization, for anti-death penalty, for gay rights. They are such inspiring people. I've seen the people they've touched and the good they've done. They've had to put themselves out there though. I guess that's what it takes. You can't hide your light away and expect that anything is going to happen.
 

samantabha

climbing the mountain of the mind
Company Rep
http://www.hightimes.com/read/marijuana-moms-weed-makes-us-better-parents
Meet a controversial group of women who say smoking marijuana makes them better parents. The 'marijuana moms' are one of a number of groups popping up all over California where medicinal marijuana use is legal. Mom-of-two Cheryl Shuman hosts parties every month where women can try new strains. Fellow group member January Thomas smokes marijuana up to five times per day while looking after her two-year-old daughter, Zeena.
 

Radio

stay true to yourselves
http://www.hightimes.com/read/marijuana-moms-weed-makes-us-better-parents
Meet a controversial group of women who say smoking marijuana makes them better parents. The 'marijuana moms' are one of a number of groups popping up all over California where medicinal marijuana use is legal. Mom-of-two Cheryl Shuman hosts parties every month where women can try new strains. Fellow group member January Thomas smokes marijuana up to five times per day while looking after her two-year-old daughter, Zeena.
I have no doubt in my mind that a healthy, adult and respectful relationship with MJ is a great thing for parents! I am a father who vapes and I am proud of it! I think Marijuana Moms and Ganja Fathers could really hit it off :cool::lol:
Some other names I have strung together for fictional MJ-user parties:
'Reefer Teachers' - High School Teachers that like to blaze it up with their students in a peaceful learning environment!
'The Blunt Brethren' - Use your imagination..
Cannabis Cops - Police for the decriminalisation of MJ!
The Flower Fraternity - College frat that majors in paraphernalia mastery
 
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max

Out to lunch
Having been amused recently by an article in the Cannabist about how women are generally not visible as stoners in the entertainment industry
I think this goes all the way back to the early 20th century and cigarette smoking. It was viewed as a dirty habit and society very much frowned upon women smoking, especially in public. In the early days of cig smoking, a woman smoking in public was viewed as someone with low moral character. Today, IMO some of that same sexism still exists with cannabis.

Here's an interesting article written by a woman, touching on both the user end and the business end of the plant. Why Aren’t Women at Home in the World of Weed?

As for FC membership, the percentage of female members is small, but slowly growing. We try to promote an atmosphere that's female friendly, and we've had 2 women to serve as mods, with momofthegoons currently active in that position. We don't have a sign up that says 'women are welcome!' but that's certainly our attitude.
 

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
Many men are open about their weed use, but women risk getting judged
Here’s the thing about women and weed: Women generally don’t want to discuss their habit out of fear of being judged or compared to a cartoon. Think Milla Jovovich’s stoner character in “Dazed and Confused” — she had no lines whatsoever and merely stared off into space, and, okay, she painted a Gene Simmons face on that statue. Worse, if you’re a mother, you keep your weed habit secret because you don’t want to be seen as a negligent parent.

Most of the men I know, on the other hand, get high. They discuss the product. They have multiple sources. They invest in smokeless inhalation devices like the Volcano and the portable Wispr. They speak about their weed machines like they’d talk about cars. Or computers. Or the way my Uncle Joe used to obsess over his ham radios in the 1970s. And while the country has more or less embraced the stoner way of life — the stigma around women smoking pot is still pretty black and white.
Because when women unwind, we have been told that drinking should be our method of choice — Kathie Lee and Hoda still drink wine at 10 a.m., and no one balks.

This is exactly why a 43-year-old friend of mine, and a mom of two young boys, won’t discuss her weed smoking with other women. “I don’t want to be judged,” she says. “I think in general women are supposed to be more responsible and something about it is irresponsible.” Another mom who responded to me on Twitter echoed those sentiments, saying that she doesn’t feel judged by family and friends, but does feel judged by the public around “racial and gender components.” Same goes for a 23-year-old who told me that she doesn’t talk about smoking “even among stoner friends.”

This is part of an article I saw on Salon. I thought it pretty much told it like it is. Women worry about what others think about them. Of course we don't "smoke" around here, we vape.
CK



 
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CarolKing,

Radio

stay true to yourselves
Many men are open about their weed use, but women risk getting judged
Here’s the thing about women and weed: Women generally don’t want to discuss their habit out of fear of being judged or compared to a cartoon. Think Milla Jovovich’s stoner character in “Dazed and Confused” — she had no lines whatsoever and merely stared off into space, and, okay, she painted a Gene Simmons face on that statue. Worse, if you’re a mother, you keep your weed habit secret because you don’t want to be seen as a negligent parent.

Most of the men I know, on the other hand, get high. They discuss the product. They have multiple sources. They invest in smokeless inhalation devices like the Volcano and the portable Wispr. They speak about their weed machines like they’d talk about cars. Or computers. Or the way my Uncle Joe used to obsess over his ham radios in the 1970s. And while the country has more or less embraced the stoner way of life — the stigma around women smoking pot is still pretty black and white.
Because when women unwind, we have been told that drinking should be our method of choice — Kathie Lee and Hoda still drink wine at 10 a.m., and no one balks.

This is exactly why a 43-year-old friend of mine, and a mom of two young boys, won’t discuss her weed smoking with other women. “I don’t want to be judged,” she says. “I think in general women are supposed to be more responsible and something about it is irresponsible.” Another mom who responded to me on Twitter echoed those sentiments, saying that she doesn’t feel judged by family and friends, but does feel judged by the public around “racial and gender components.” Same goes for a 23-year-old who told me that she doesn’t talk about smoking “even among stoner friends.”

This is part of an article I saw on Salon. I thought it pretty much told it like it is. Women worry about what others think about them. Of course we don't "smoke" around here, we vape.
CK


Which is ridiculous! Women and girls should thrive in the fact that they are MJ users. It's something to shout from the rooftops about! Let us all bask in the glorious light of our green friend without judgment or fear! :)

Heres a girl that is open about it, look at how happy she is!
https://www.facebook.com/CoralReefer420?fref=nf
 

max

Out to lunch
"Kathie Lee and Hoda still drink wine at 10 a.m., and no one balks."
I think that's because of who they are/what they do for a living. A housewife/stay at home mom would be said to have a serious drinking problem, even if the wine drinking took place much later in the day. A stay at home Dad, drinking a beer or three during the day, would probably get the same 'no balks' as the celeb females.
 

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
There's no way I'm advocating women even drink alcohol, or anybody else for that matter. I just saw that article above, I didn't include the whole thing. It was in large print and I didn't know how to make it smaller.
Attitudes about cannabis are different for men than they are for women. That's all the point I wanted to make. For years I used cannabis recreationally, now I use it for medical reason too. More men for the most part are signed up for medical cannabis than women in most states. Not sure why? Is is attitudes about cannabis? Possibly more men are using it for PTSD after being in a war? Another Fuck You to George Bush! Oh wrong thread...
 
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CarolKing,

Reflections

Well-Known Member
Is called survival..The less known the better..hide in the basement and tell noone..thats been my last 5 decades of experiance. I will say though when i was living in europe it was totally different. Here in the states it was illegal and you could have your house,children,everything taken away.
 
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CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
@Reflections You're right about that. There's a lot of stigma attached to cannabis. The laws in some of the states have just started changing over the past few years. You're right also - you are risking your job, custody of your children and your house. The ridiculousness of the laws throughout the U.S regarding the use of cannabis has put thousands of people in prisons and jails over the past 75 years. In some states like Florida and Texas they might as well throw away the key. In jail for 20+ years for selling. The laws from state to state are absurd.
 
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