Content Marketing And Cannabis

Bill Wagner
Aug 9, 2017 · 6 min read

I won’t shill for something that blew up my family and nearly cost me my marriage.

The cannabis industry is growing exponentially. The State of Colorado reaps the whirlwind of tax revenue at levels so high they are running out of things on which to spend the money.

Nevada recently formalized its law making walk-in dispensaries easily accessible to anyone over 21.

Many other states are following suit because there’s always a need for new tax revenue. So much so that Oregon is taxing bikes. But this isn’t a post about taxes.

No. This is about content marketing opportunities. Several offers have come my way to create content for this world. Seems like a great way for someone like me to get some traction and work. The money is there to be made.

I turned them all down. I can’t support an industry and a substance that caused so much strife and contention in my family. To this day, my relationship with two of my children suffers. Waving middle fingers at me as they exited slamming the front door of my house, I watched them defer to a choice that fragmented my family and nearly cost me my marriage.

I Believe The Science

Let’s be perfectly clear about all of this: I firmly believe the science behind cannabis and its positive effects on those with major diseases and pain. Any doubts about the efficacy of cannabis, hemp, or any of the derivatives can be easily put to rest by a simple Google search.

I watched the Facebook videos of those with Parkinson’s. I see the relief it gives to those with cancer, glaucoma, and chronic pain. I am aware of the differences between THC and CBD both on a chemical and application level.

I even tried it a few times. It helped my speech and overall anxiety. I get it. I really do. I’m 100% for its medical use.

My Personal Experiences Haunt Me

My oldest son was a talented wrestler for the first three years of high school. Many people were impressed with his natural ability and instincts. His grades were fantastic. He was fun and respectful. Teenagers are idiots. I know because I used to be one. At least he’d listen, and I could reason with him.

Then his senior year came. His lunch breaks during the school day started lasting 45 minutes. He began withdrawing from the family and being defiant. Usually I would think a teenager is just finding his own way. Then he gave up on wrestling after an injury.

His friends became people I knew sold cannabis and all the stuff that goes with it. I found an edible in the house one day. So I went to school and found out he was over the number of absences where teachers could fail him. His grades were just slightly above failing.

He graduated high school and lasted a semester in college before I helped pay to get him home. My wife and I required rent while he got back on his feet. He initially agreed, but then balked about paying rent in “his” house with a job that we found for him.

He would run his mouth about me to my wife, but never to my face. He would complain about paying rent. His exact words were “Why do I have to pay rent when Bill doesn’t?”

There were late night runs to the store for “snacks”. I found more edibles. I’m not talking about Cheetos.

During this time, his older sister moved in and out five times for various reasons usually involving her boyfriend. On one her last exits, she moved into a place next door but would still come over to see her mother and I. The clincher there was one day we ordered pizza for dinner. She left to go next door only to return 10 minutes later just in time for pizza.

I asked where she went. Her exact words were “I went next door to smoke because pizza tastes better when I’m high.”

And in my attempt to set parameters and standards for my kids, my wife and I almost divorced.

It’s The Culture

I can’t support a product where the prevailing culture and feeling revolves around impairing judgement merely for the sake of doing so. Regardless of whether we are speaking of beer, wine, marijuana, or pain pills, it’s the same.

I know you’re screaming about the benefits of cannabis. I said I get it. I realize it’s medicinal and natural. How can I be against it?

Guess what else is natural? Snake venom and methanol. Milk is natural, too. It’s pasteurized by natural means (applying heat). When it spoils by natural means it’s still natural. Would you still drink it?

Quote me anything you want about how cannabis isn’t a gateway drug, or no one gets hurt from its use (these four weren’t technically using it), or how it just gives calm people the munchies. Sure. I agree with all that.

I know how hemp can make our lives better without smoking it. Consumer products made with hemp are often safer and higher quality. I’ll never deny that truth.

Then I hear the insults and rage bouncing around my skull. The words that nearly cost me my marriage. The words that called into question everything I ever did as a father and husband. Nothing I ever do will silence them. I don’t care how much money you throw at me.

Sorry Not Sorry

Call me anything you want. Call me old and out of touch. Call me a religious nut case. Call me a hypocrite.

Whether it’s my fault everything happened, I don’t know and don’t care. I wonder how many other stories are never told because of the overbearing narrative around cannabis. I wonder how many parents watch their kids go through the same things and just have to sit and watch beating themselves senseless trying to understand it all.

Go ahead and try and sell me the responsibility line. How responsible cannabis use is beneficial to all. Sure. I agree. Just like responsible alcohol consumption is beneficial to all. Just like responsible gambling is beneficial to all. Take me down that rabbit hole so we can rave and yell YOLO all night.

I used to deal blackjack and poker for a living. The results of those stories are burned into my brain. So just stop it.

I went to a friend to toss this issue around and get better insight. I needed to make sure I wasn’t just operating from an emotional perspective and seeing the whole picture. I needed another set of eyes.

He brought up an interesting point: If something like cannabis is so great for everyone, why must people proclaim it so loudly it drowns out all other discourse?

I pondered that for a while. Why do advocates ignore things like Tony Stewart running over Kevin Ward Jr.?

Why do I have to explain to an umpire and argue with the board members of my local association that consumption of cannabis just before working a youth softball game is not allowed regardless of whether or not it’s legally prescribed? I wouldn’t allow a drunk umpire to call a game.

Would you want a doctor performing surgery on your heart to smoke/vape cannabis just before the operation?

I’m not sorry for taking this stand. I’m not sorry for writing this. I’m not sorry for saying no to money that would solve a lot of my problems right now. Not after all my family is STILL going through.

I know this will cost me some contacts. This may even cost me a few friends. I’m totally good with that, and I won’t apologize for making a decision that brings me peace.

Bill Wagner is a social media and content expert. You can follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn. His creates branded business content through his business SafeStrategies.

Bill Wagner

Written by

Umpire and referee turned writer and coder. Esports lover and storyteller. I delete more than I publish. Chief Relationship Officer for Esports Labs

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade