Burning Off the Books: Teachers Smoke Weed, Too

Trail Blazers is a series of portraits by photographer Maria Levitov, spotlighting cannabis consumers from all walks of life.

Cannabis consumption may be legal in Colorado, but plenty of employers still drug-test their workers for it or ban its use in contracts. That doesn't mean they all comply, though, even with the risk of losing their jobs. One young teacher looking for help with a sleep disorder is willing to put it all on the line.

"I’m a 26-year-old teacher and musician from Chicago. Ever since I was young, I’ve suffered from bouts of insomnia caused by anxiety. In high school, I started relying on sleep aids to fall asleep each night, but after such frequent use, they quickly stopped working."

"By the time I moved to Denver two years ago, my sleep deprivation had become a normal part of my life. However, I decided that I’d give cannabis a try, because it was legal — and why not? I expected to chill on the couch and maybe get the munchies, but instead I was gifted with the most incredible night of sleep! I woke up the next morning, shocked that I had slept for so long and thrilled about the lack of grogginess — something I’d become accustomed to with all of the sleeping pills."

"In my job and other endeavors, getting an adequate amount of sleep has been life-changing for both my mood and anxiety. I’m grateful to live in a legalized state and am hopeful for a day when the rest of the country is also able to enjoy the benefits of cannabis and use it freely!"