It’s no secret that big Pharma companies do NOT want cannabis legalized nor prescribed by doctors. Pharma companies are in the business of making and pushing synthetic drugs onto end users. The key component is the “making” of the drugs. When big Pharma makes or creates a new drug, the profit margins are huge and their goal is to get as many of their drugs to market as they can. This is why they have their hands in the pockets of the FDA. They need quick approvals so they can keep new products in the cycle at all times. This is why such dangerous drugs as Fentanyl and Oxycodone are actually on the market and being prescribed by Drs regardless of how deadly they are. Fact: Big Pharma is not your friend.

But for some reason, we have all been programmed to look at their drugs as safe and needed in our society. Maybe it’s the nonstop direct marketing that these companies are allowed to do. Maybe it’s because we were led to believe that the FDA cared about our safety and health. Regardless, too many people trust these drug companies and distrust anyone who brings up the powerful healing properties of cannabis.

But let’s cut though some of the nonsense. Let me show you a comparison between a very known anti-depressant drug and its side effects compared to the side effects of almost every strain of cannabis and see which one you feel safer trying.

First…Zoloft. Almost everyone has heard of this drug. There have been multiple TV ad spots touting its effectiveness against depression and anxiety etc. Chances are that you know someone who is currently taking it. I wonder how many stop to really read what can happen if someone has a negative reaction. Most likely…not many. So let’s mention a few here. The manufacturer likes to categorize their side effects into two categories; normal and serious.

So the normal side effects to be expected are nausea, dizziness, sweating, upset stomach, diarrhea, drowsiness, dry mouth and a decrease in appetite. Then there are the “serious” side effects and those are bruising, bleeding, muscle cramps, changes in sexual ability, tremors, unusual weight loss, irregular heartbeat, fainting, bloody stools, eye pain, vomiting, and vision changes.

Did you catch all of those? Even with those risks, millions will take the drug simply because their Dr said they should and they feel there are no other alternatives to help relieve their primary problems/symptoms.

But we also should mention that, when someone uses Zoloft, they can’t just decide to quit someday. Your Dr must help you ween off of it over time or there can be other serious consequences. And, if you miss a dosage, there are serious precautions when it comes to “catching up” on your dosages. And let’s not even discuss how some folks become suicidal when taking anti-depressants or run a risk of overdosing. I mean…isn’t the medication supposed to make you feel so much better than you were before taking it?

Now let’s look at the side effects of an indica dominant strain such as an OG Kush. Side effects reported were dry mouth, giggly, dry eyes, sleepy, hungry and at times paranoid with hungry being the most reported side effect. That’s it…that’s all of the side effects. There are no “normal and serious” side effects. And if you miss a dose? Who cares. If you want to quit? Go ahead. Can you OD? There is not one recorded incident to date of someone dying from an overdose of cannabis.

So if you were to choose a medication based solely on the dangers of side effects, would not this be a no brainer? If both “meds” treat the same conditions, then why would anyone choose big Pharma over naturally grown cannabis?