Canadian comedian defies cannabis and ADHD stigma on TikTok
If you’ve scrolled through videos on TikTok during the final year of the pandemic, you’ve likely stumbled upon a video from this couple’s account from Delta, British Columbia.
Darcy Michael spent almost a year on the platform with his husband Jeremy Baer and their dog Yuna. In that short time, they have amassed 1.8 million followers. Not an easy task for everyone, but what exactly is it that attracts you?
Michael is best known as a stand-up comedian, and now a viral TikTok sensation. People keep coming back for the open, frank conversations about ADHD, cannabis, parenting, and communication in relationships – all in a fun and carefree way.
From TikTok skepticism to 1.8 million followers
“When I know my ADHD is really going to get the better of me and I want to relax, I’ll build up some weed and say to myself, okay – it’s time to slow things down.”
Darcy Michael on cannabis and ADHD
“My partner and I look at your TikToks quite often. We always try to find out who of us is Darcy and who is Jer, ”I tell Michael on the phone. He laughs heartily and replies: “Ah, somehow the perfect combination.”
The account started randomly, and Michael said it sounded like “such a youthful sounding app” at the time. But he decided to try some funny videos with her dog Yuna because “she’s super quirky and funny”.
The more time he spent on the app, Michael shared that the algorithm got to know him better and was giving him content he wanted to enjoy – from funny pet videos to mental health explanations to fellow gay content creators and educational cannabis videos.
“After a while, I just thought, okay, wow – this app really got to know me and is all I can’t get from Instagram,” he said.
It felt like a dopamine rush, he shares, and knew immediately that he had to convince his husband Jer and their daughter to make their own TikTok videos.
From their personal account, the family shares their lives and helps others in the process. “I kind of thought to myself – I’m really bored and we’re amazing, but I also think we’re really relatable and we’re kind of different enough that people will notice.”
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Tiktok helped Darcy understand his handicap
Almost immediately, her videos went viral with content series examples like “Pop Quiz for My Stoner Husband,” “Busy Donkey,” “Impressions & Pranks” and “ADHD Life”.
Darcy partnered with Jer to build a dedicated following of 1.8 million dedicated viewers who tune in to learn that ADHD can manifest itself in many different ways.
Often their experiences and struggles are not that different from those of others. He says, “It shows people that I can be a productive member of society, and cannabis has been of great benefit to me personally as well.”
When diagnosed with ADHD later in life, Michael admits that in the past three years he has learned more about his disability through TikTok than from therapy. Through his TikToks, he wants other neurodivergent people to feel celebrated as “good, creative people who can honestly achieve so much”.
He shares, “When I know my ADHD is really going to get out of hand and I want to relax, I’ll build up some weed and say to myself, ‘Okay, it’s time to slow things down.’ You don’t need to build an atrium in your home today. You can just do a little tinkering and a few things to relax. ”
What weeds does this plant daddy love?
Having been indulged in BC Buds for most of his life, he finds that he is always drawn to sativa strains for their body high, ability to give him sharper focus, and an increase in energy and creativity .
“When I got my license to practice medicine, I had a lot more choice. That’s when I realized that indica strains really took my motivation away and made me super depressed. ”
His favorite has always been Mango Haze and says it has always given him the ability to be elevated, happy, and most importantly, productive.
Not that into edibles, Michael explains, “I don’t like being out of control. Have you looked at my TikTok? I’m barely in control (laughs). ”But he’s really been into cannabis-infused carbonated drinks when he and Jer are chilling out on the couch, watching TV, or watching a movie.
“I know what I can take and two hours later I’m sitting there with my blanket and this weed pop just loves my life.”
Breaking the stigma of cannabis use and ADHD
As a comedian and creative – hello TikTok star – Michael knows how much cannabis has helped him and the importance of breaking the plant’s stigma for not just his ADHD but arthritis as well.
He hopes that sharing this content with the world will help people realize that they can still experience joy no matter what. While we may struggle with our own problems, Michael wants others to know that no matter who you are, you are worth loving.
Oh, and just because you’re using cannabis to treat your ADHD or arthritis or whatever doesn’t make you a stoner, addict, different or uncool. “I know marijuana is stigmatized and people’s views on cannabis are so archaic, but do you know what I trust a lot more? Damn weed! ”He laughs.
Amanda Schreiber
Amanda Scriver is a passionate storyteller and body image advocate based in Toronto. In her free time, she loves trashy reality TV and traveling. Don’t ask about your favorite restaurant, it’s complicated. You can find some of their bylines in the National Post, Broadly, High Times, Canadian Living, and more.
View article by Amanda Scriver
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