Setting the Record Straight on Long Term Marijuana Use

In case you've heard about how bad long term marijuana use is I'd like to set the record straight.

First, it's legal, although regulated in some states.

The 21st century has been a cannabis renaissance where the medical community has been rediscovering (the Chinese used it for medicinal purposes 5,000 years ago) the benefits of cannabis use for a couple of decades after intense research. 

However, research on long term use of cannabis has been sporadic, but I did find a recent study in Australia where patients were prescribed medicinal cannabis for long periods of time. 

The study started off with monitoring patients for a year and concluded it helped with anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain improved over time for those with corresponding health conditions. Plans for longer studies are underway. 

I also found a 20-year cannabis study of over 1000 adults.

The study was published in Molecular Psychiatry. In summary using cannabis may cause changes in the body's epigenome. 

The epigenome functions like a set of switches, activating or deactivating genes to change how our bodies function.

Thus far the results have been inconclusive but, according to epidemiologist Drew Nannini, "This research has provided novel insights into the association between marijuana use and epigenetic factors." In other words, they're unsure what effect cannabis has on our genes. A longer study might be more informative.

I could tell researchers a few things about long term use of marijuana. 

I started smoking it in 1966, my sophomore year in high school. I've smoked it ever since. That's 63 years and qualifies me as "experienced" according to Jimi Hendrix's famous song Are You Experienced?

"But first, are you experienced?

Or have you ever been experienced?

Well, I have"

I imagine researchers would have a heyday with me following what I've done all of these years, and the role that devil weed played in my travels and regular life. Family members are convinced I have THC coursing through my veins. Who knows? I am rather healthy for a 74-year-old...all things considered. 

I went to Vietnam and Cambodia when I was 18 years old serving as an Army demolition expert in the 31st Eng. Battalion in 1970. I toked up with my comrades every chance I got. Everybody did in my unit except for the Lifers who preferred whiskey and beer. We were all trying to escape our grim reality.

I worked at a Ford Stamping plant in Ohio as an Automation-Tender and Welder. I couldn't wait to get off work and smoke some killer weed that I always got in upstate Michigan. I worked in a factory loading boxcars on the night shift and greeted the new day with a bowl of worthy ganja. 

I got married and we had three children. I went to college and became a professional journalist - both editor and publisher - who smoked a fat hootie every opportunity I got. I had to lead a secret life during my newspaper days because marijuana was illegal and only bad people smoked it, but it was okay when my fellow Rotarians got drunk in our weekly get together.

If there are supposed to be bad long-term effects according to some, I've yet to see them. My PTSD today is tolerable because of pot. As is my chronic back pain thanks to one of the herb's many superpowers. Think Terpenes.

As it Stands, meanwhile I'm thinking about starting a group of oldies but loadies with a minimum of 50 years of being "experienced!" 

Back By Popular Demand: Beer 2.0

A couple of weeks ago I took a look at the history and legends surrounding the ancient art of making beer.

Now that's out of the way it's time for Beer 2.0.

What country do you think has the best beer according to the Experts?

1. Germany

2. Belgium

3. The United States

(Answer is on bottom of the page)

Last November one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the world - The European Beer Star Competition - named Firestone Walker Brewing Company as the best brewery in the world. It won gold medals for its Belgian-style triple, Antwerp Calling, its wood and barrel-aged sour, Framboise, and its new style pale ale, and Firestone IPA.

I'll bet you couldn't name the best-selling beer in the world. 

Frankly I was shocked when I researched it. Snow Beer, a Chinese brand has been the world leader since 2008. I might have to try it some time.

Here's the five biggest beer companies in the world by output in million hectoliters.

1. AB InBev (Belgium)

2. Heineken (Netherlands)

3. China Res. Snow Breweries

4. Carlsberg (Denmark)

5. Molson Coors

Interesting beer news

In 2024, the highest rated beer in the United States (according to Untappd) was Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout from Toppling Goliath Brewing Company in Decorah, Iowa. Personally, I love stouts, and this is only one of the many I enjoy that is crafted here in America.

The Great American Beer Festival is returning to Denver Colorado on October 9-11, 2025. Experience pairing beer and good food provided by acclaimed chefs and craft breweries.

The Beverage Testing Institute declared the Beer of the Year in 2024 was Barrel-Aged Barleywine by Revolution Brewing.

The World Beer Cup, also known as "the Olympics of beer," is just around the corner. It's one of the most prestigious beer competitions on the planet. The event is being held at the Indiana Convention Center on May 1, 2025.

Where I live in Oregon we have the annual Oregon Brewers Festival, in Portland. The top selling product for the third year in a row was Cascade Brewing's Razberry Wheat out of Southwest Portland. There were 73 different craft beers from 18 states across the country.

Astute readers may recall my recent post on frogs and may be wondering why some people say frogs taste like beer? The answer is simple, Because of the hops! Don't worry. Be hoppy.

(Answer: Belgium)

As it Stands, Beer: Making people interesting since forever. 

I Just Went to My First Protest Rally and Was Impressed

           My wife and I (photo above) went to a "Hands Off" protest in Medford Oregon while other protests sprung up across the nation like flowers blooming on a spring day.

Opponents of our felon president and his unelected wealthy South African born buddy showed that America is not going to tolerate their corruption without a fight. 

There were more than 1,200 "Hands Off" demonstrations across the country planned by more than 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LBGTQ+ advocates, veterans and election activists.

It was the first protest I ever attended. 

I'm a Vietnam veteran who was on the other side of nationwide protests against the war. 

My greeting at LAX airport was brutal with people following me and cursing me like I was personally responsible for the damn war. 

At one point someone spit at me, and I dropped my duffle bags and lashed out at who I suspected was the spitter and I punched him in the jaw. His cronies swarmed me, and airport security had to peel them off and escorted me out. In the melee I lost one of my duffle bags and reported it to security who were more interested in getting me outside than in retrieving my duffle bag which was full of souvenirs. I never got it back despite numerous requests. 

As you can imagine I've never forgotten their naked hatred and the treatment I received because I was a soldier. The protests were wild, scary and people were killed - think the Kent State Massacre - as the nation was divided for and against the war. I was the same age as the protestors, and I hated the war. After I got out of the Army I dropped out and was immersed in the hippy culture for years.

When my wife and I went to the Hands-Off protest Saturday I was nervous. I have PTSD and have been avoiding crowds for decades. But something miraculous happened. The crowds were friendly, and I relaxed enough to appreciate the people I met. It was fascinating listening to their stories about how Trump and Musk were ruining their lives. Everyone was so united in their disdain for the Trump regime.

The majority of protestors were middle aged and seniors. Us boomers showed up like it was the 60's to make our voices heard once again. It was a transformative day for democracy. The battle has been joined and there will be many other protests leading up to the midterms at which time the Democrats hopefully will take back the House. But they need you and me to vote for democracy.

As it Stands, Trump's regime will need to be challenged every day until his orange ass is kicked out of the White House permanently.