father and son (Photo: Kevin Curtin)
I got pulled over last month. I think the police just wanted to check on me, late at night when the cold hit. It was almost a routine traffic stop. One officer made up some nonsensical excuse to pull me over, and two others hovered around my van strangely, then asked me questions about my day. I met them with calm confidence, knowing that on this rare occasion, I didn’t have any overdue or backlogged this or that. However, he soon became concerned when he realized he had half an ounce of marijuana in his pocket.
I didn’t really stress about the legal issues since cannabis possession is effectively decriminalized in Austin, but I would be heartbroken if my stash ended up in APD’s possession. It would be. Thankfully, the trembling officers didn’t ask to search me. So, after they drove off, I looked myself and surprisingly, there was no such ganja on me. That’s when I suddenly realized. I left a large bag of marijuana on the coffee table at my parents’ Airbnb.
When it comes to my family, buds don’t fall far from the bush. My peers (funny, philosophical, Grateful Dead followers) have what I would broadly describe as a “Bill Walton vibe,” and cannabis is something we’ve long shared. And we’ve been laughing forever around the kitchen table. I take great pride in currently being at the top of the “Best Joint Roller in the Family” power ranking…even if it’s only because my father has Parkinson’s Disease. Even so.
He is a physician who has spent his entire career providing health care to underserved communities and the uninsured. Tom Curtin now takes 17 pills a day to deal with the tremors, balance problems and many other physical and psychological symptoms caused by the disease. So we can’t do many of the things we used to do together, like play basketball or go on nature walks, but we can still communicate across joints. So recently, during one such smoking session, I interviewed him about what he knows best.
Austin Chronic: Really, how much stronger is marijuana today than it was in the 60s?
When it comes to my family, buds don’t fall far from the bush.
Tom Curtin: Well, it’s much stronger, more consistent, and much healthier. I lived during a time when the Mexican government and the United States were spraying paraquat. And you’ll get this dope and you’ll look at it and say, “Something’s wrong here,” and you’ll taste it and say, “Hmm.” It was scary. That’s when I started growing indoors. Because you can find the seeds yourself and grow them indoors, using only natural fertilizers and Dawn soap for small mites.
Alternating current: You’ve probably seen your friends go to jail for marijuana. And now, where you live, you can buy cannabis in a store or grow it in your garden. How does that feel?
TC: Two words: We won. The old policy was wrong and needed to be changed.
Alternating current: Although much is being learned about which combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes are effective for certain conditions, patients should typically see a medical cannabis doctor. Why isn’t it more integrated? I feel that the average general practitioner should have cannabis in their tool bag of treatment options.
TC: The general rule is that it takes 10 to 20 years for science to become practical. So I think that’s the curve that we’re on right now. Doctors know about it, but most won’t recommend it to you because it’s not really part of general practice. We have to remember that even though many practitioners are retiring, there are still many people old enough to say, “That’s not right.”
Alternating current: You have Parkinson’s disease, a disease for which medical cannabis use is widely accepted. In what ways does cannabis help or harm?
TC: Personally, I find it helps relieve certain aches and pains that may occur later in the day and also helps with sleep. If you get some rest and feel less pain, that’s a great thing. This is because fatigue worsens the pain. The other thing is that muscle, joint aches and pains in Parkinson’s disease can actually be helped by topical cannabinoids. Sometimes I get cramps and everything hurts and I have to stretch my hands over my lap or they end up with crab fingers. Applying topical cannabis and rubbing it in thoroughly can be very effective.
Alternating current: Is there any way you think using cannabis can make someone a better parent?
TC: I think so, but there are two ways to go about it. Would you rather have a drunk parent who has chronic anxiety around the kids, or would you rather have a parent who works with the kids and relaxes by smoking a little weed at night? Another thing is that it can give children an insight into what they are about to experience. Many parents hide their lives from their children, but I never did. Do you think they don’t know you’re hiding your life? You are hiding and lying.
Alternating current: What is life all about? How can cannabis help with that?
TC: Life should be happy, fun and peaceful. I want to help and encourage others to find their way to that path. I believe that everything you give will come back to you.