Stephen Gray is the author of Cannabis and Spirituality: An Explorer’s Guide to an Ancient Plant Spirit Ally. On October 1st, 2015, Oregon joined Washington and Colorado as the third state to legalize recreational use of cannabis. Now that it is easy as going to one of the many cannabis shops in the state and choosing from a wide selection of strains, many who perhaps haven’t used cannabis since college or are curious and using it for the first time may have many questions about the plant.
Many misconceptions about cannabis abound. It is much maligned and misunderstood. Today we will address questions such as: What are its effects? What is a good dosage? Why do some people have negative experiences with it (such as paranoia or anxiety)? Is it addictive? Is it good for society to legalize cannabis?
We are also going to talk about the spirituality of cannabis. How can cannabis be an ally in spiritual practice?
I also speak with Michael Eric Dyson, author of Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America about police brutality, racism and the killing of teenager Quanice Hayes by Portland police. Here is a letter I had published in the Oregonian and the Portland Tribune about the murder of Quanice Hayes and the failure of the grand jury to indict the officer, Andrew Hearst of the Portland Police Department. Also, a piece about it on my blog.
Interview with Michael Eric Dyson begins at 37:53.
- KBOO