Page 45 - Daggabay Magazine Issue 2

Stoners Corner

What should we consider as normal
behaviour? It is normal for us humans to
seek plesure. As children, we spin ourselves
silly, and as teens we delight in roller coaster

rides. As adults, we might take part in hang
gliding, skydiving, bungee jumping, and race
car driving. We get buzzed on wine, beer, and
on espresso, on ice creams and intense
sweets, and also on cannabis. None are
without risk. Societies differ only in what
they accept, and what they outlaw. Coffee
was once forbidden in some places, It is
equally normal for people to enjoy these
states in social settings, places where they
can meet friends, old and new. We have
racing clubs and skydiving clubs. We have
coffee shops, lounges, bars, and pubs, in
which folk meet routinely, to solve the
problems of the world. In addition, there are
restaurants, and cruises, and tours, featuring
much of the above.

To hide in a rented flat, hoping not to be
caught, or shiver on a sidewalk on a rainy

day, is decidedly not normal.It is normal, too,
to build rituals around the substances we
consume for pleasure. Children invent rituals
around savouring favourite treats. We build
wine and spirits into our religious practices
and accompany rights of passage like
weddings, bar mitzvahs, and funerals. Coffee
meetings are rituals.Cannabis culture has
produced rituals of its own. There is 4/20,
the practice of smoking at 4:20 pm, there are
cannabis cup contests, annual competitions
among growers for best buds and in recent
years, multiple conventions, fairs, and trade
shows. Essential to these practices is
sanctuary, a sheltered place where one can
be at peace, accepted and welcomed.In the

next few months we reveal that these
cannabis friendly environments are already
amongst us, we have a few delicious reviews
coming up about places right here in SA that
are taking the step forward, in opening
places that cannabis use is not only allowed
it can be encouraged.