HOV presents “CANNABIS, HERSTORY!” incorporating cannabis back into our stories

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Cannabis has a long history of use in traditional medicine for treating various ailments such as: pain, inflammation, and menstrual disorders, which would have been of particular interest to women.

Yes! I want readers to really take a moment and attempt to put aside all preconceived notions when it comes to the discussion of cannabis. We are an enlightened people, and in our defense, the powers that be have diligently used psychological techniques to keep us in the dark. The best form of enlightenment is education, so I want you to hang in here with me.

From as early as the second dynasty in Egypt, women have been documented exploring cannabis for: herbal healing, as a sacrament, for meditation, for liberation, and even during the various phases of motherhood.

In the 19^th and 20^th centuries, women’s participation in herbalism and spiritual practices evolved alongside social and cultural changes. Women like Maria Sabina, a Mazatec curandera from Mexico, gained recognition for her spiritual use of psychoactive plants like psilocybin mushrooms.

The use of cannabis by Indigenous peoples dates back thousands of years. Many Indigenous cultures have incorporated cannabis into their traditional practices, including medicinal, spiritual, and recreational uses. In North America, Indigenous peoples have a long history of using cannabis for both medicinal and ceremonial purposes.

For example, in Canada, several Indigenous tribes have used cannabis in their traditional practices. The Cree, a First Nations people in northern Quebec and Labrador, historically used cannabis for medicinal purposes. They would make teas from the leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant to treat various ailments, including pain, inflammation, and respiratory conditions.

There are genesis points in history of psychological manipulation of the masses, and one consequential point was when European colonizers brought their own herbal knowledge, which sometimes conflicted with indigenous practices. Guess who kept the knowledge, and wisdom alive? You guessed it, women. Women, both Indigenous and settlers, played essential roles in maintaining and transmitting herbal knowledge within their communities. During the prohibition of cannabis, the criminalization that women experienced was far less documented, thus not often included in plans for harm reduction.

I am able to share this information with you readers this week because there is a blossoming pedagogy that has been curated to demystify and educate our community. Humanity Ova Vanity (sponsored by OCS, and The Don Arts Academy) invited the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper team to “CANNABIS, HERSTORY,” a curated cannabis education activation platforming the woman’s: personal, historical, traditional, cultural use and experience of cannabis. What I have learned about the team at HOV is that they are more than just a non-profit organization; they are architects of social change. Their journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of a world where humanity triumphs over vanity. Rooted in the belief that everyone has a role to play, they empower individuals and corporations to actively participate in community development.

On Sunday March 31^st, 2024, our photographer David Henry made his way down to The Don on Danforth. When I checked in to hear about his experience, his first comment to me was, “Simone; you should have definitely been at this one.” He then went on to share his experience from a male perspective, which in itself was interesting.

The afternoon was moderated by Maya Palacio, recognized in Bermuda as “A young, standalone journalist with an appetite for truth,” (The Bermudian magazine). She graciously navigated the experience and encouraged guests to partake in featured art by visual artist Komi Olaf.  Born in Nigeria, Komi Olafimihan is a visual artist from Ottawa, Canada, who employs the domains of painting, digital illustration and mural art. His work is recognized for his ability to engage image, metaphor, symbolism and cultural commentary to address notions of decolonization through the lens of Afrofuturism –-an artistic and cultural movement that explores African culture and its intersection with present and future technologies.

There was also a special presentation on cannabis and women’s wellness by The Cannabis Doula who shared expert knowledge and data on safe and traditional cannabis use for mothers. Melanie Julion, LCCE, HCHI, HCHD, PFc, creator and founder of “The Cannabis Doula, Inc.”, was called to birth work after becoming pregnant while working at a licensed medical cannabis cultivation center in 2015. After facing stigma and discrimination for her cannabis use, she began seeking ways to empower and educate women, birthing people, and families who, like her, were consuming cannabis medicine holistically during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.

The afternoon had some added spice when Cue Kirk, a Tobagonian Canadian spoken word artist, dub poet, and author in Toronto, Canada stepped on the stage. She is known to silence the room with her raw and captivating verses of traversing tribulation and self-empowerment.

I am disappointed that I missed the short film presentation and talkback with Director Donisha Prendergast and women who have been impacted by the criminalization of cannabis. Now, this is the part that I am going to follow up and get some more details on. I am curious about the stories that will be shared in that short film, and my hope is that it will have the necessary impact. We as a community need to extend our perspectives, and curated art has become a powerful way of catalyzing this extension.

Some other impactful initiatives that we can look forward to from HOV are: “Protecting ME,” an initiative that will empower humans on their healing journey, and “Art is Rebellion,” a conversation around how, when, and why art functions as a tool for rebellion through cultural preservation.

Whether you are an individual looking to make a difference, or a corporation seeking to enhance your social impact, HOV continues to curate platforms that engage and interact with people at all levels. Their goal is to build a future where the collective power of compassion and responsibility reshapes communities and transcends boundaries.