I Could Be So Good For You: Is It Time for Cannabis’ ‘Waterman Moment’?

It’s time for cannabis proponents to talk about their own usage. So what’s holding them back? (Hint: it’s not the late Dennis Waterman).

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The day – probably some 43 years ago – that now departed British actor, Dennis Waterman, put himself before the Minder production team to pitch himself as chanteur of the TV show’s theme tune, a precedent was set: one which would see the affable lothario repeatedly rejangle his show-starting songs across numerous other series he appeared in.

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Though, admittedly this (very British) trope is now much parodied; the idea that a participant should fully embrace their involvement in a particular endeavour is a persuasive one – particularly when it comes to something as stigmatised as cannabis.

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“Love you like you want me to” – Waterman (right) alongside Minder co-star George Cole

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Yup, in cannabis, complete participation (a la Waterman) is an absolute necessity – otherwise, how can you expect others to believe you’re serious about it? Authenticity accounts for a heckuva lot in this sector.

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Mum: Disappointed?

Look I get it: it’s hard to confess to your peers – and often your nearest and dearest – that you’re a cannabis user; even if you live in a country where recreational usage is legal.

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But I’m of the belief that, if you don’t showcase the fact, you’re just playing to the stigma that it should be clandestine – and that, like tobacco smoking, cannabis consumption should remain a shady habit relegated to dark nights and solitary skulking.

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However, as we know, consumption is changing too. Cannabis is no longer just smokeable. Or even a ‘vapeable’. Cannabis comes in all shapes and sizes – edibles, tinctures, sublinguals, transdermals, beverages – so many varieties are cropping up.

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But still, it begs the question: with so many ways to take cannabis, why isn’t it more visible? Because it’s still ‘drugs’. And, as we’ve been told all too often…

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“I Never Thought You’d Be A Junkie…”

There's a huge difference between drug use and drug abuse. Cannabis isn’t just for getting high. There are bonafide health benefits too. If there weren’t, there wouldn’t be a medical cannabis market. 

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So what’s stopping people from openly taking their (legal) medicine? One reason is the fact that it’s not always presented as such. There’s a big difference in terms of brand between cannabis-as-fun and cannabis-as-meds: in terms of the way they’re presented and marketed.  

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But when it comes to actual consumption – at least where flower is concerned – the distinction between a prescribed bud and rec one is negligible. And therein lies the problem: the perception of others in such scenarios.

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This is precisely why those of us who use cannabis legally – medically or recreationally need to ‘out’ ourselves as such.

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Don’t get me wrong there are plenty of fantastic advocates for cannabis. The patients sharing their stories; as well as budtenders, dispensary owners, growers, doctors, policy movers and shakers – whose passions are second to none. They’re the ones figuring out what’s needed to drive lasting change. Because they know firsthand just how good for you cannabis could be.

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However, if we all want to open up the cannabis market, we all have to take the stigma slaps on the chin. And, yes, that might hurt a little in the short term. 

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Blaze Of Glory

“So, what’s the trade off?” you’re probably wondering. “I come out – all blunts blazing – and demand acceptance?”

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As fun as that would be, what makes more sense is to demonstrate aspects of usage; to be as natural about it as possible, in the context of daily life – whether that be openly applying a tincture, public vaping or bringing a selection of infused beverages to an adult gathering instead of a six pack of brewskis.

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After all, as per the plant itself, there’s a whole lot more efficacy in the combined ‘Entourage’ effect than any single endeavour. But unless it manifests in a plausible, authentic way, the point quickly becomes moot.

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Admittedly though, there’s always some initial awkwardness – a sense of behaviour feeling ‘forced’. Go with it. It’ll get easier. 

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I like to think that that’s exactly what happened to Mr Waterman when he first broached the question of ‘singing the theme tune’. And over time, it came to be his signature motif. It was what was expected of him.