A social media trend sees mothers, who refer to themselves as "garden moms," using cannabis to manage the stresses of daily life, a practice that has drawn warnings from medical experts regarding potential health consequences.
Taylor Mitchem, who uses the handles @thatgardenmomma on TikTok and Instagram, is one such mother who openly shares her experiences. Mitchem, a mother of a six-year-old daughter in Colorado, has stated that cannabis use helps her feel more focused and balanced. She described her journey with cannabis as a way to manage what she perceived as being different, finding peace and equilibrium without medication after feeling like her generation were "test dummies of the ADHD meds."
Mitchem compares the practice to the generational use of alcohol by mothers to unwind, questioning societal norms around coping mechanisms. She emphasizes her responsible approach, stating she never drives after consuming cannabis and ensures her husband, who does not partake, is present and coherent. She also noted that her daughter is unaware of her cannabis use and is instructed not to enter the room where it occurs.
However, Dr. Jeremy London, a cardiovascular surgeon and functional medicine practitioner, expressed significant concerns about the trend. He acknowledged the immense stress faced by parents but cautioned against substituting unhealthy habits with potentially more dangerous ones. Dr. London highlighted that smoking cannabis, in particular, can "significantly" increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and abnormal heart rhythms, even in individuals without pre-existing heart conditions. He explained that smoking damages the arterial lining and affects the autonomic nervous system, leading to increased heart rate, blood vessel constriction, and the release of stress hormones.
While Dr. London conceded that alcohol is toxic to every cell in the body and does not view cannabis as having the same level of toxicity, he warned that it still alters neurologic function. He advocated for healthier coping mechanisms such as exercise, breathwork, and meditation, suggesting that life is meant to be experienced without being "tampered" with by substances.
Dr. London also pointed out the influence parents have on their children's behavior. "Always remember that kids are watching what you're doing, and they learn your behavior, your coping skills as the best way to do things," he stated. He advised parents to reconsider using a coping mechanism they feel the need to hide from their children, suggesting that children are often more aware than adults realize.
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) does not evaluate or approve raw cannabis or recreational marijuana for safety and efficacy. Only certain prescription-derived cannabinoid drugs have received federal approval.