As society begins to accept marijuana, several cannabis shops in Lethbridge are seeing a rise in medicinal uses for their products.
The Canadian government legalized cannabis on Oct. 17, 2018.
Since then, the social acceptance of the plant-based drug has become more widespread.
Furthermore, many stores are seeing their product used in a more medicinal sense, rather than just the stereotypical party atmosphere.
Sam Kovacs is an assistant manager at PlantLife cannabis store in Lethbridge and she says the shop sees a lot of people entering its doors seeking a medicinal use for the drug.
“We do see a big increase on [CBD products] for people coming in and looking for things to help them sleep,” said Kovacs.
This increase has coincided with a new clientele, that being one of an older generation.
“We have a big variety of [older customers] for us here which is really nice. I like seeing those people coming in because they’re losing that stigmatism,” said Kovacs.
She says that while the younger generation has been quick to pick up on the legalization, the older generation has also begun using recreational and not just medicinally.
Kovacs says a lot of people have entered the store and told her about their parents now using marijuana, something that never seemed likely.
“They come in and say, ‘I never thought that my dad would smoke weed, or my mom would smoke weed and now they smoke with me, or now they’re using it because it helps them sleep,’” said Kovacs.
She also says society has begun accepting cannabis more, which plays a large role in the fact that the older generations now use the product more regularly.
“I’ve definitely noticed an increase in a lot more people being curious about it. A lot of older people, where that stigmatism kind of sat with,” said Kovacs.
Another cannabis store employee, Rick Williams from Value Buds agrees with Kovacs that society is beginning to accept cannabis more and more every year.
However, Williams also says businesses are starting to understand the industry as well.
“I used to work in the oil fields and I have noticed that it is becoming a more accepted thing there,” said Williams.
He says that although drug tests still occur, the threat of termination has been reduced.
“If you do test positive, [companies] don’t just blacklist you or anything anymore,” said Williams.
The Value Buds employee also says he sees people choosing marijuana rather than other drugs or intoxicants.
“I even kind of notice people seem to be more going towards [cannabis] over alcohol,” said Williams.
This thought was shared by the owner of Green Queen Cannabis, Kelly Milliken.
Speaking of her past, Milliken says the legalization of weed has changed the trend for younger people.
“Back then it was cigarettes and drinking, now its cannabis,” said Milliken.
However, the store owner also sees a downside to the legalization.
She says peer pressure has probably increased on the younger generations now that marijuana is legal.
Milliken says she knows a young woman who comes into her store only began using cannabis to fit in with her friends.
“The reason she had to start smoking was to be in the crowd,” said Milliken.
She says the young customer is also possibly into heavier drugs now.
Milliken believes people are now seeking a high that goes beyond what they have ever experienced.
“Some of these people that come in want the highest THC … We smoke it 24/7 now, we’re so immune to it,” said Milliken.
However, she says these are often outliers and most of her clientele are people in their 50s or 60s, a group she refers to as ‘the hippy age.’
“The older generation is more relaxed and just wants a good toke and that’s it,” said Milliken.
Like Milliken, a team leader at Twenty-Four Karats cannabis shop, Aslinn Wilson, says the older crowd is very active at her location.
“We have a lot of elderly customers as well that come for CBD products,” said Wilson.
However, she did stress that the store is not a doctor’s office, so customers still need to speak with a professional.
“We just tell [our clients] to ask their doctor,” said Wilson.
Even so, Wilson believes the shift in this view of cannabis is due to a better overall understanding from the general population.
“I think people are learning more, definitely from my experience,” said Wilson.
With the growing interest in cannabis by people of all ages, Kovacs says the idea of users being everyday people and not just stereotypical ‘stoners’ has validated the industry.
She says the government stance has also helped redeem a once heavily stigmatized culture.
“I definitely see [the government view] taking a play in it,” said Kovacs.
As time goes on, she expects people to continuously grow their acceptance and interest in the cannabis industry.
“Business has definitely been increasing for us, so that tells me a lot,” said Kovacs.
All four cannabis industry employees say they see people from all walks of life enjoying their products, something they don’t believe will change any time soon.
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