An Early Analysis of the Most Comprehensive Longitudinal Dataset of the Cannabis Community

The stigmatization of cannabis and the negative stereotyping of the cannabis community comes from a history of propaganda, including the intentional devaluation of medical cannabis use. Some of our initial analysis highlights the need for more research that focuses on the benefits. Introducing the “Stoner Neurotype” - a perspective shift in how we view higher needs medical cannabis patients, or daily consumers, to be more neurodiversity-affirming.

A science poster titled “Introducing the Stoner Neurotype” a neurodiversity-affirming evaluation of complex medical cannabis patients. There is a flyer for “Science Sesh’ and a THC molecule lying in front of the poster.

Here is the text from the poster:

Cannabis sativa is a sacred natural medicine that has evolved with humanity over millions of years. There are many different therapeutic uses for Cannabis ranging from chronic pain, sleep, and anxiety, to powerful anti-seizure effects and life-saving appetite stimulation. Cannabis is one of the least toxic natural medicines humanity has ever discovered.

The system in the brain and body that responds to the active molecules in cannabis, the endocannabinoid system (ECS), is implicated in virtually every dysregulated state, including many autoimmune and chronic disorders. There is preliminary evidence for specific populations having dysregulated endocannabinoid systems such that the addition of Cannabis reduces negative traits and improves quality of life.

But why study stoners?

A “stoner” is a Cannabis enthusiast who usually partakes at least once per day and often enjoys multiple types of consumption methods.

Stoners often begin their Cannabis use young, typically between the ages of 14 and 15 and continue to heavily use Cannabis throughout their entire lives. By adulthood, most stoners have established wellness routines that have Cannabis as an integral pillar of mental and physical health. This makes stoners the most knowledgeable group of Cannabis consumers as they are often able to tell subtle differences in chemodiverse extracts and experiences.

This lived experience makes them excellent in determining variations of effects for specific use cases and position stoners as important community educators and mentors for new medical patients. But there has been little to no investigation of this population outside of the stigmatizing framework of substance use disorders and other negative interpretations of neurodivergent dysregulation.

They say stoners are lazy, outcasts, and social deviants. We disagree.

We aim to investigate the specific neurodivergent phenotype, the creative, compassionate, but atypical type of human that benefits immensely from high, consistent doses of Cannabis sativa. Introducing “The Stoner Neurotype.”

“The Stoner Neurotype” has unique medical needs…

It is the fundamental role of science to explore and support advances in humanity for improved understanding of the universe. The bias that exists in current society has been crafted and supported by years of research that was interpreted within a framework that many stigmatized medicines will never fit into. And so we must create and share research opportunities outside of that framework.

Medical Cannabis use is valid. Daily, multiple-dose per day dosing schedules can still be medical and can still be valid. There are unique therapeutic benefits to Cannabis that have not yet been formally investigated, but that does not invalidate the relief experienced. It just means we have reached an edge and that we must investigate it further.