The Loving Embrace

This Valentine’s Day, I’m preoccupied with
the healthy and sensational aspects of cannabis in life and in relationships. Heightened
awareness, heightened sensation, less aggression and more caring attitudes,
touches and experiences; cannabis has the capacity for enriching our lives on
so many levels. In fact, several studies have found that significantly lower
number of incidences of domestic violence occur among married couples who use
cannabis. Researchers from Yale University, University of Buffalo and Rutgers
followed 634 married couples for nine years. Couples were administered regular
questionnaires on a variety of issues, including recent drug and alcohol use
and instances of physical aggression toward their spouses. Among the
connections they found in this study, they concluded that the more often both
spouses smoked cannabis, the less likely they were to engage in domestic
violence. Whether it’s because cannabis makes users less combative, more
euphoric, generally happier or easier to get along with, results may vary from
couple to couple, but the conclusion is strong in the study—cannabis using
couples fight less and are less aggressive.

Cannabis can also enhance the sexual
experiences for couples as well. For both
biological and social reasons, we experience a heightened state of arousal with
cannabis use, because oxytocin—which is naturally released during breastfeeding,
sexual arousal and orgasm—is also stimulated when cannabis is consumed,
according to Lisa “Mamakind” Kirkman, a sex advice columnist, cannabis activist
and author of Sex Pot: The
Marijuana Lover’s Guide to Gettin’ It On. Kirkman notes that some of the
earliest recorded cannabis use is related to childbirth because cannabis
strengthens contractions. So, it makes sense that the muscle-contracting
properties of cannabis could be utilized to enhance sexual performance and
experience.

Our cover feature this
month, Ron Jeremy is notorious in the adult film industry and in mainstream
popular culture. He has been in countless films and has made cameos in hundreds
of music videos, television shows and non-adult film productions. Of course he
is unafraid and unabashed to be himself and to speak his mind—that’s part of
what makes him so unequivocally and charismatically Ron Jeremy. This legendary
lover and icon supports safe and loving behavior in all aspects of life,
including cannabis in sexual experiences and in relationships.

Cannabis can strengthen your
relationship with other people and with yourself, and that is something we should
embrace not just this Valentine’s Day, but every day.

Sincerely,

Evan A. Senn

Editor-In-Chief