Chapter 1: The First Encounter

I vividly recall the initial experience of smoking marijuana. It was 1987, and I was merely 13 years old. My older brother, who was ten years my senior, took my date and me to a secluded cornfield for my first homecoming dance. He introduced us to the art of smoking pot using a small metal pipe. The taste of that pipe remains etched in my memory, along with the overwhelming paranoia I felt walking into the high school, convinced that everyone could tell I was high. Thankfully, no one seemed to notice, and I enjoyed a delightful evening, laughing with my brother on the ride home. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that in Iowa, we were all breaking the law, and the thrill of getting away with it only added to its allure.

Throughout high school, I continued to indulge in weed sporadically. While I wouldn't classify it as a habit, the presence of cannabis around me — particularly since two of my brothers were regular users — meant I often found myself partaking. I experimented with other drugs too, but none resonated with me as deeply as marijuana. It felt like a comforting embrace, melting away my teenage angst and anxiety, providing fleeting moments of peace.

Intent on embracing adulthood, I made the conscious decision to quit smoking during my senior year. Society and educational norms suggested that consumption of cannabis was incompatible with being a responsible adult.

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Chapter 2: The Alcoholic Path

Like many in my demographic back in 1993, I turned to alcohol as a means of social acceptance in small-town Iowa. My mother frequently purchased wine coolers for my friends and me during junior high, and by the time of my high school graduation, my parents had even arranged for a keg at the party. It was a norm, accepted and unchallenged.

From 18 to 33, I lived a seemingly straight life, punctuated by binge drinking on weekends. I often drove home from bars in Des Moines, textbooks propped up in the passenger seat to serve as a convenient excuse if I encountered law enforcement.

A pivotal moment came in 2007 when I was sent on a business trip to San Francisco.

After a significant meeting with sales teams from California, Oregon, and Washington, the atmosphere shifted. Some of my colleagues invited me to join them for some marijuana, which took me by surprise. Back in Iowa, cannabis use was often concealed, yet here it was, openly shared among professionals. I hesitated but ultimately decided to partake, relishing the thrill of rebellion after years of abstaining.

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Chapter 3: A New Perspective

My experience with Candy, the branch VP, further shifted my understanding of marijuana use. During an outing at a gourmet restaurant, she casually offered me "special" peanut brittle laced with cannabis. The juxtaposition of her professional success and marijuana use shattered preconceived notions about productivity and substance use. Upon returning to Iowa, I found myself seeking cannabis again, despite the associated risks.

Meeting my husband in 2012 marked another significant change. Early in our relationship, we found ourselves in a situation where we were offered marijuana, and to my delight, he was open to it as well. Our bond deepened quickly, and we embraced cannabis together.

Chapter 4: A Life-Altering Choice

In 2014, my mother received a terminal lung cancer diagnosis and chose not to pursue treatment. Her decision resonated deeply with me, prompting a personal awakening. I realized I was living a life I wasn't proud of. I made the drastic choice to move to Colorado, leaving behind my corporate job, my marriage, and my son.

Initially, I stayed in a hostel, but serendipity led me to a job as a budtender in Denver’s burgeoning cannabis industry. This new role allowed me to immerse myself in cannabis culture, trying various products and learning everything I could about this plant.

Chapter 5: Embracing Change

In March 2016, my husband and I made a transformative decision to discard 13 different pharmaceutical prescriptions. Together, we committed to a lifestyle centered around health and cannabis. We started hiking, shared meals more responsibly, and prioritized our well-being.

Over the next few years, we tracked our progress, documenting the effects of each cannabis product we tried. Remarkably, we lost 150 pounds together, feeling healthier and happier than ever before.

Chapter 6: Redefining Addiction

Today, we are in our 50s and enjoying the best health we've ever experienced, having replaced numerous medications with cannabis. Contrary to common belief, regular cannabis use doesn't equate to addiction. My husband has maintained a consistent dosage for years, and we navigate life mindfully, choosing when to medicate.

The stigma surrounding cannabis persists, often labeling us as addicts. Yet, if you regularly rely on prescription medications, by that definition, you too might be considered an addict. We all have our coping mechanisms, whether through medication, exercise, or other habits. The key is balance and understanding the difference between healthy usage and harmful dependence.

I once struggled to find purpose, but today, I embrace my life with enthusiasm, attributing my transformation to what many would consider a "marijuana addiction." It has been my catalyst for change and empowerment.