by Erica Dalton
Astonishing, controversial photographs of self-ordained nuns
cultivating and smoking cannabis were released in March by photographers
Shaughn Crawford and John DuBois of Shaughn and John Photography. A
manifold of media—some commending, some critical and some
objective—quickly picked up the images and background story.
The fascinating pictures abetted a stimulation of necessary
conversation surrounding the ethics of marijuana and its therapeutic
uses. Regardless of personal opinion about the recreational use of
marijuana, the photographs inspire reflection about the morality of
denying an effective remedy to people who need its antidote.
Describing their mission on their website as an effort to “focus on
unique stories and subcultures” and “to capture the authenticity of
their subjects,” Crawford and DuBois certainly accomplished their
purpose through capturing the cannabis-imbued depictions of Sister Kate
and Sister Darcy.
The Sisters are not directly affiliated with the Catholic Church, but
do seek to emulate the Catholic values of benevolence and humanitarian
contribution, as reported by the Huffington Post. They call themselves
the Sisters of the Valley and live together in their central California
“abbey.”
Their goal is not to enable psychoactive recreation, but to provide
healing to individuals in need. The cannabis they use in their medicinal
blends actually contains little to no tetrahydrocannabinol—the element
of marijuana with hallucinatory properties. Rather, it is high in
cannabidiol—the medicinal element.
Marijuana’s curative property is a subject worth discussion and
merit. The fact that so many people successfully use the plant as
medicine—and so many medical professionals support it—begs the question:
Why is there a lack of understanding, research and acceptance regarding
medical marijuana use despite an abundance of testimonies regarding its
curative abilities?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are
currently two Food and Drug Administration-approved, pill-form
medications containing cannabinoid chemicals and there has been an
increase of states legalizing the use of the plant for medical purposes.
The FDA, however, does not currently recognize cannabis itself as
medicine. This is because of a lack of large-scale clinical trials
required for such an edict—indicatively due to widespread social
indignation stemming from ignorance.
Crawford and DuBois’ intriguing photographs of Sister Kate and Sister
Darcy with their plants and salves has helped bring attention to the
issue. The captivating images of a union between spirituality and
marijuana are distinctive and provocative for a society that, by and
large, regards the plant as inviolable dope. These photographers shed
light on the world of progressive medicine, obliterating stereotypes and
providing an original, wholesome perspective.
Considering the sizeable population in the U.S.—and the world for
that matter—that uses various forms of marijuana as a fundamental
medical antidote, it’s essential that more attention be paid to the
topic. When so many people are experiencing life-changing benefits from
the plant, it seems horrific that society and the government denounce
its use.
Many individuals have praised marijuana, claiming it as the
sole reason they have successfully treated illnesses as serious as
epilepsy and cancer, providing healthy lifestyles they feel they never
would have otherwise attained or regained.
Rousing public interest through images that challenge society’s
preconceived notion of cannabis as strictly contraband is a step in the
right direction. The photographs Crawford and DuBois encapsulated of
women devoted both to faith and medical marijuana allow a contemplation
of the morality of refusing an effective treatment to sick people.
Hopefully, such novel depictions will create openness to education
about the topic, as well as expedite the development of social
consciousness concerning a valid form of medicine—a medicine that
warrants more positive reception, support and research.
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