Cannabis has an astonishing potential as a medicine, for which the body evidence continues to pile up.  It can be used both to relieve symptoms of pain and mental trauma, as well as to actually reverse the effects of chronic diseases and ailments.

But cannabis’s powers of enhancement are not confined to the medical world. The herb can also be handy in the bedroom as a potent aphrodisiac, according to a love doctor of sorts that I had the great pleasure of interviewing, named Lisa “Mamakind” Kirkman. Kirkman is a sex advice columnist, cannabis activist and author of Sex Pot: The Marijuana Lover’s Guide to Gettin’ It On. Just in time for the lovers’ holiday, she chatted with me about such eyebrow-raising topics as why sex and pot go so well together, smoking fetishes and strains recommended for the best sex.

Pot enhances sex for both biological and social reasons, according to Kirkman. She said we experience a heightened state of arousal because oxytocin—which is naturally released during breastfeeding, sexual arousal and orgasm— is also stimulated when cannabis is consumed.  Kirkman noted that some of the earliest recorded cannabis use is related to childbirth because cannabis strengthens contractions. So, the muscle-contracting properties of cannabis could be utilized to enhance sexual performance.

That said, here’s a sexy cannabis guide, derived from Kirkman’s most stimulating facts and tips in our interview. Share it with your Valentines, this week and beyond:

1. Social Lubricant: 

Socially, pot can amplify sex appeal because smoking is commonly a shared activity.  Sharing pot creates an enjoyable, communal experience. Kirkman said it’s also a good way to meet other pot loving singles. Share your stash with a cutie at a party. Your mutual appreciation of pot will be an easy conversation starter as you puff, puff, pass with your new friend.

2. The Neck Rub of Pot Heads:

For some, the act of smoking is sexualized into a fetish.  The use of the mouth, the spark of fire, lips on a piece of beautiful, ornate glassware and lilting plumes of smoke can be a turn on, Kirkman notes. She recommends sharing a joint, shotgun style (blowing the smoke directly one mouth to the next), with your lover.  It’s the “neck rub for pot heads,” as Kirkman puts it, and can lead to much more.

3. Sexiest Strains: 

So, what pot strains are especially good for sex? Kirkman said strains with a 70/30 percent hybrid ration are better than 100 percent pure strains. Pure strains can cause extreme effects like paranoia—in Sativas— and sleepiness—in Indicas, especially with inexperienced and occasional pot users.

With the caveat that everybody is different and may not have the same reaction to these strains, here are a few recommendations to boost male and female libidos, starting with the basics.

For energy- Sativa are uplifting and awakening. As Kirkman puts it, “Sativa get you going.”  Any Sativa strain, good for physical activity like dancing, is also good for “horizontal dancing.”  Kirkman’s Sativa favorites are “ Flo” and “Skunk #1.”  

For relaxation- Indicas relax the muscles, relax the mind, relax it all. Kirkman notes that sometimes just relaxing a little bit is what someone might need to have better, more fulfilling sex. Kirkman mentions “Blueberry” as a favorite relaxing Indica.

What’s in a name, you ask?- Some strains, by name alone, suggest a fun roll in the hay, like: “Fucking Incredible,” “Burmese Fucking Incredible” and “Matanuska Thunder Fuck.”

Just like Viagra- What strains are specifically heralded for their Viagra-like effects?

Click here to read the rest of the interview!

 

Dear Lady Cannabis,  My question is inspired by a recent Denver Drug Policy Alliance conference panel, is the joint obsolete? Policy Geek

Dear Policy Geek, No, the joint is not obsolete. In the cannabis culture, several practical aspects of the joint make it enduring. For one, older cannabis consumers smoke joints because joints were the most common way of consumption. There were few ways to consume cannabis for some period of time. Second, joints are very portable. Roll a few joints and take them along with you. Third, joints can mimic cigarette smoking. In places with unnecessary prohibition, joints have been smoked in a similar fashion as cigarettes in public places. Lastly, joints are very disposable, when burned down to a small roach. Unlike, pipes or other smoking accessories, joints are lightweight and easy to conceal. Joints are great on the go for recreational fun.

In terms of consumption, smoking joints is one of the harshest ways to ingest cannabis.With the growing awareness and acceptance of medical use cannabis, the cannabis market has adjusted. Patients want the health benefits and the best way to get them is to reduce the harm associated with smoking. Smokeless alternatives are available at cannabis centers and use has increased drastically. Four years ago in Colorado, majority center sales were buds or flowers. Today, nearly half total purchases are edibles and portable smokeless vaporizers.

Nevertheless, the joint is a classic. Even immaculate hostess Martha Stewart has professed that she is a good joint roller. Continuously giggling in response to the question, Martha Stewart stated in an interview, “Of course, I know how to roll a joint, not that I ever do. We used to roll cigarettes, it’s the same thing”.

Dear Lady Cannabis, My regular optometrist is an older, established doctor. I get my medical marijuana recommendation from a different doctor. My regular doctor knows I use medical marijuana, but we’ve never had a conversation about it. How do I talk to him? Glaucoma Gordon

Dear Glaucoma Gordon, It is good you are informed and empowered. It must feel isolating to not have full support or understanding from your doctor when you have reliably and safely experienced the benefits from medical cannabis for years. To renew this discussion with your doctor, find the best way to introduce new information to him in a manner that respects his authority as a doctor. Find information sources that will speak to the doctor in his professional language, peer reviewed studies and articles in medical journals on glaucoma research and treatment. A week or so before your appointment notify his nurse and send the article. Mention you’re sharing a study related to your treatment and would like to sometime during your upcoming appointment to discuss the topic. This approach gives him a chance to read, respond and be prepared for a discussion and the topic won’t catch him off guard. Both you and your optometrist share a mutual concern for your health. Explain how you benefit from medical cannabis and tell him your patient experience. Write back with an update, please.

Dear Lady Cannabis, How do you make sense of the Pres. of A Basin taking ski passes away from boarders smoking? It’s part of ski culture, WTF! Boarding Brad

Dear Boarding Brad, Al Henchworth, COO of Arapahoe Basin ski resort, laid down the law on his October 19 blog; Al’s Blog and sparked a huge controversy among skiers. Al pulled a few patrons’ passes because they were publicly smoking cannabis. They are being used as an example to remind patrons it is illegal to smoke in public. The fury of response has helped shape the public conversation of what is reasonable and appropriate for cannabis use on the slopes. Many people voiced outrage over the harsh penalty.

Many people noted the hypocrisy of alcohol being so accepted with open consumptionnot only in the lodges but in the lift lines at A Basin. Many people were happy with the crackdown because not everyone wants to be around the smoke.

Cannabis smoking is part of ski culture. Instead of laying down the law and threateningto call the cops on this issue, as Al originally stated, A Basin needs to take a cue from Seattle Police earlier this year and put together a funny public gimmick to educate patrons to the law. Some clever giveaway with the PR messages- Have fun, we want you to enjoy the A Basin vibe. This is a reminder; public cannabis smoking is not legal. We ask for your cooperation and definitely do not smoke around children, in the lift lines at the top of the lift or the sides of runs.  A public message will go farther.

On the next powder day, the best way to be a more appropriate cannabis user on the slopes is go into the trees, not on a kiddy run and take a discrete smoke break away from minors and nonsmokers.