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Could a celebrity marijuana fan hold the cure for period cramps?
With the pain-relief and health benefits of marijuana being taken more and more seriously, and laws surrounding the drug becoming less severe — South African law included — it was only a matter of time before celebs started to throw their weight behind the business of medicinal marijuana…
Whoopi gets serious…
Enter Whoopi Goldberg, American actress, talk-show host and self-confessed dagga fan, who, according to SBS, recently launched a line of medicinal marijuana-laced lotions, bath soaks, therapeutic oils and even — wait for it —sipping chocolate.
Why should we care? Because these products specifically target that monthly thorn in all of our sides: period cramps.
“I want to go nice and slow with this. I don’t want this to be a joke to people. It’s not a joke to women,” Goldberg told USA Today.
READ MORE: Medical Marijuana Is One Step Closer To Being Legalised In South Africa
Because period cramps really are no joke…
Truth. Period pain is no joke, and it affects the majority of us. From a mildly uncomfortable monthly visitor to a debilitating intruder (as is the case when you suffer from a condition like endometriosis).
And what do we do when the yoga pain-remover pose doesn’t quite cut it? We pop a pill. Which isn’t exactly a habit you want to get into, right? So… could this be a “healthier” alternative? Or are we simply swapping one habit for another?
What the pro-marijuana camp is saying
If you look at the marijuana chats going on in the rest of the world, it might very well be an option.
Medicinal Cannabis Australia believes cannabis can be legitimately and effectively used to treat period pain, and apparently it’s been used for that exact purpose through the ages. “It is in our opinion that medicinal cannabis can assist with the pain associated with menstrual cramps. This can be taken orally in food/oils, or the dried plant can be vaporised,” says the pro-dope organisation.
And then there’s this nugget: “This has been done throughout history. Queen Victoria even spoke about the relief that cannabis gave her for her menstrual cramps,” they say. Now that’s news to us…
Then there’s the UK, who has actually entertained the idea of monthly period leave, allowing women to “rest” for a day or two while in the throes of cramps and bloating. So, if the severity of period pain has been acknowledged, and actual leave has been considered, perhaps they’d be open to a weed bubble bath…
READ MORE: Could Weed Keep You Sane? This Study Suggests So
A “joint” effort – but with zero “high”
Whoopi’s business partner, Maya Elizabeth, says their Whoopi & Maya products, although strong enough to actually work for pain relief, are also A-okay for first-timers, as in: you won’t end up giggling at your boss or staring at a wall for hours.
“This is a great introductory line to first-time cannabis users because two of the items are topicals, which don’t get you high,” Elisabeth said. “And one product, the cocoa, can be made only with CBD (cannabidiol), which is a very subtle but powerful mood elevator that helps with anxiety and depression, and is an anti-inflammatory.”
What does it mean for us?
For now, the products are only available in California, but with medicinal marijuana cementing its place in the field of health in South Africa and elsewhere, the same or similar products could potentially be hitting our shelves in the future. Watch this space…
What’s the deal with cannabis? Here’s how weed really affects your health. Plus: Exactly how gynaecologists treat their own cramps.