Q&A with Prizefighter & Cannabis Grower Ryan Houston
A: I began using cannabis at age 14 with friends after school. It became a regular thing to do since we live in a small town without much to do. I have been smoking for 12 years on a daily basis.
A: I smoke often, usually throughout the day. I find that I can smoke and still perform daily tasks without any issue.
A: I prefer to roll blunts and joints, this is my favorite method of smoking although I believe the bong is the most effective. I like the ritualistic act of rolling up and passing it around or just enjoying a blunt to myself. Dabs are a bit too much for my taste, so I prefer to put hash and concentrates into my blunts and joints.
A: Cannabis calms me down and helps me relax and wind down at the end of the day. It is mentally uplifting and can elevate my mood. Certain strains help with creativity and are more uplifting while others help with pain and insomnia and are more relaxing and sedative. Cannabis, for me, goes well with any occasion.
Q: Do you smoke recreationally or for therapeutic benefits?
A: When I was younger, I began smoking just for recreation, either alone or with friends. As I grew older and became more aware of the actual benefits of cannabis and started using it more therapeutically. However, I still use it with friends as a way to get together.
A: If you are curious about trying cannabis, there are many methods to go about it. I would suggest a few puffs on a joint or bowl as a mild introduction. You should be in a safe environment and having a friend or two around makes it more pleasant. Edibles are also another method that’s good for beginners, but it offers a slightly different feel. The high edibles present is delayed and much more subtle at first, but can become intense later on, so much caution is needed when dealing with edibles. A rule of thumb is; you can always take more if you need to, but you can’t take less so be careful.
A: My advice for people in general would be, find out for yourself what cannabis can offer. Everyone has such a unique and individual experience with cannabis that one person’s experience will probably differ from yours.
Q: How would you say cannabis enhances your experiences, like for instance, training or exercise?
A: My most memorable experience with cannabis would be 04/20/16 in Denver. Three friends and myself made a 12 hour drive to Colorado to experience the cannabis holiday in a legal state. It was all of our first times being able to legally purchase cannabis, something that felt so liberating. Afterwards we gathered with thousands of others, on the lawn of the Denver Capital building and began lighting up together. Clouds of smoke rose through the mountain air and music played loudly from all directions as we expressed our freedom and celebrated the forthcoming change, together. It felt revolutionary in a sense. It felt like we had finally won the freedom to enjoy cannabis as it should be, without worry.
Follow Ryan on instagram @ryanhouston563 and follow his journey