More mothers are turning to cannabis to cope with some of the modern-day stresses of motherhood, and it's a growing trend all across the country.
Today, mothers are expected to do a lot when raising a child, from working to taking their kids to different after-school activities, things can start to add up and be draining.
A group called Cannamoms, and there are groups all across the country, and right in the Sunshine State.
Mothers say dabbing in marijuana through edibles or tinctures makes them a better mom, and they shouldn't be looked at any differently than mothers who drink wine.
"I'm not going to judge you if you go out and have a drink at the end of the night just like i hope you wouldn't judge me for using medical marijuana," said Kodie Nastasi, who's been using medical marijuana for several years.
Kodie Nastasi says more mothers are turning to cannabis products.
"I feel that I'm able to be patient. My medicinal use is for medical conditions that make me a little anxious. We're just moms like everyone else.
Trying to be socially accepted in our communities and our neighborhoods," said Nastasi.
Nastasi says it helps when it comes to raising her children.
"We're not out there to harm anyone. I'm able to focus on them and tasks that need to be scheduled. We're there to educate each other, trying to help each other through motherhood," she said.
In a 2023 study by the Harris Poll for cannabis retailer Medmen Enterprises, more than a third, 37 percent, of American women over 21 consume cannabis.
Cannabis is still a Schedule 1 drug despite support to reschedule it to a Class 3 under the federal Controlled Substances Act.
"I see a lot of mothers who have benefited from cannabis," said Dr. Heather Auld, A cannabis doctor in Fort Myers.
It's recommended you talk to a cannabis doctor if you're thinking about trying medical marijuana.
"If you microdose it throughout the day, you really don't notice a difference other than not feeling stressed, not feeling anxious, and not having so much inflammation, Auld said.
Doctors say using cannabis products is becoming more common in society.
People think that it's just about smoking weed, and that couldn't be further from the truth. If you are just feeling more mellow and not high, during the daytime, that is so invaluable that you can really enjoy your children," said Dr Auld.
So far, 23 states, plus Washington, D.C., have legalized both medical and recreational use.
Nastasi says education is key. "The stigma is always going to be there. Unfortunately, making it recreational is not going to help our situation; the stigma is going to be there even more," she said.
More groups of women are coming together, showing support for each other throughout their cannabis journey. Some say it not only helps with theirday-to-day life, but most say the health benefits outweigh any Negatives and will continue to use the products..
"Most of us moms we're here to help. We understand that it's not easy going through mom life," said Nastasi.
There's also a growing movement called Cannadads, joint parenting with both parents using cannabis products..
Again, if you're thinking about using cannabis, talk to your doctor and get educated to determine what best suits your needs.
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