APRIL FOOLS: Stress management group explores cannabis

The Stress Management Support Group for students at Saddleback College kicks off its series of spring meetings on Friday, April 1 2016. (Matthew Kirkland/ Lariat)

The Stress Management Support Group for students at Saddleback College is launching a series of spring meetings, focusing on helping students to discover new ways to manage stress and anxiety. The meetings will cover the most modern philosophies on anxiety and the human body and will go over how to use cannabis to lower stress levels.

“We are hoping to get a really good turn out this time,” said Student Health Center Psychology intern Ella MacRain. “We will be showing the students some really cool stuff and hopefully we can help them out.”

The series of spring meetings will last a total three weeks and will introduce students to the effects of cannabis, the different ways to use it and its stress reducing abilities. Each week consists of an informational lecture to start followed by a demonstration in which students can volunteer.

“I always get super stressed at some point during the semester,” said Buddy Green, 22, engineering major. “I heard about this series though and I’m definitely going to go. I’ve tried other stress relievers, so this is with a shot.”

Mary Jane Cannister, a researcher in the United Kingdom and a marijuana legalization lobbyist, will speak at the first meeting on the effects of cannabis and its stress relieving abilities.   Following her speech, Cannister will lead the students in group activities.

“It is so important for the youth to get the correct education on such an important topic like cannabis use,” Cannister says. “Its time for us as a people to come out into the light.”

The second week of the series will begin with a lecture on the different ways to consume cannabis and provide information to help students decide if cannabis is right for them. Professionals in the field will be brought in to teach about smoking, vaping and eating edibles.

“I never even knew you could do a lot of that stuff with pot,” said Jacob Doobie, 20, business major. “I mean I knew kids smoked and ate brownies and stuff but I never knew, like, how cultured it is.”

The last week consists of a culmination of the topics covered in the previous weeks as well as in depth answers to any questions that students may have. During this time students can meet one on one with instructors or enter the Green Room, a room specifically designed for a unique meditation paired with marijuana.

“The feedback has been really good so far,” MacRain said. “Hopefully this series can be the start of something new and lead to a whole new generation of Saddleback students that aren’t always stressed out with their boyfriends and girlfriends and work and everything.”

All Saddleback students are welcome to the first meeting on Friday, April 1, at noon in the conference room on the third floor of the library. The rest of the series will be held on Wednesdays during the following weeks.

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