Gabi Brind‘Amour, 19, is a frequent cannabis user.
Nearly six years after legalization in Canada, Brind‘Amour says cannabis improves aspects of her life, but she acknowledges the risks.
According to Alberta Health Services, regular cannabis use can disrupt brain development for people under 25.
Born and raised in Calgary, Brind‘Amour is a third-year psychology student at the University of Victoria. And she says the benefits of cannabis use, in her case, outweigh the risks.
She recently sat down with The Press and talked about the role cannabis plays in her life.
How does using cannabis make you feel?
It makes me feel great because I have a dependence on it. It releases endorphins every time I smoke, and I definitely have become addicted. I have a reliance on it.
How prevalent is cannabis in your life?
I use it every day, and definitely more than I’d like to admit.
What benefits or challenges do you face using cannabis?
Definitely a wide range. Weed makes everyone feel differently. For me, its benefits include productivity, mood elevation and euphoria. I find it’s a great tool to mediate the world around you. But there are definitely drawbacks, like lung health, stigma and tons of factors when dealing with any psychoactive substance. Always be aware of the dangers and all the possible consequences — whether they are positive or negative.
Recent reports have shown that using cannabis before age 25 changes your brain development. As someone who uses cannabis, how do you feel when you hear that?
My mom tells me that all the time. Hearing that question definitely hits a nerve because there’s science to back that up. It makes sense because brain development is important. But at the same time, every kind of carcinogen that we put in our body has impact on some kind of body function — whether it’s drinking, smoking or anything else. Pick your poison.
What’s your opinion on people who are against using cannabis before 25 for fear of their brain development?
Use at your own risk. I guess it can be different for everyone. Some people before they are 25 could get really affected by cannabis and never be the same. So, be wary and use at your own risk.
According to Alberta Health Services, cannabis can impact attention, judgment and decision making. How does this apply to you as a student who regularly uses cannabis?
I use it as a study tool. For me, it helps me lock in and it really helps me focus. As someone who knows quite a bit about cannabis, I feel like I can use it to help further other aspects of my life such as studying. Another good example is gym performance — it’s a good exercise tool.
Weed used to be illegal in Canada. Since its legalization do you feel that there is a stigma at all?
I started smoking pre-legalization, so there definitely was a stigma around it five or so years ago — but that was in Alberta where people don’t smoke as much. When I moved to B.C. it was significantly more prevalent and working here in the cannabis industry has been so great just to expand my knowledge.
What has working at a dispensary taught you?
It has taught me literally everything I know. Product knowledge, but also customer service and community relations.
Has your view on cannabis changed since you started working there?
I’ve definitely opened up to it. I get to geek out and nerd out about it a little bit more. I feel like in my day-to-day life I also get to educate not only customers, but my friends. I get to explore new things with them and new types of strains and substances.
In your opinion, do you find that people your age use cannabis more or drink more?
In B.C., I would say it’s a good split, but a lot of smokers. A lot more than Alberta.
What excites you about using cannabis?
It’s a really exciting hobby to share with my friends. I find the sensation of being high agrees with me a lot.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
