The Stoner Stigma: Why we need to change the marijuana conversation
- GOOD SESH
- Aug 18, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 3, 2024
Whether you enjoy marijuana, wear 4/20 paraphernalia, or watch stoner comedy films...you're a part of the cannabis community. Especially in the U.S., there is much controversy about smoking weed which has been a prevalent issue for over a hundred years. What a lot of people don't know are the details of history surrounding weed that has provided many misconceptions about marijuana users and the effects of the plant.
The start of marijuana criminalization stemmed from racism
The cannabis plant, most formally known as hemp, was a crop thats main purpose in America was to be used for products like clothing, rope, and sailing equipment. As times changed, hemp started being used more for its medicinal properties. It wasn't till Mexican immigrants started settling in the U.S. in the early 1900's, introducing the method of smoking the plant, that the views of cannabis began to change. Cannabis now started to be seen as a drug. This happened in the midst of the 1930's Great Depression, when white Americans created irrational fear that the reason jobs were being lost and the economy was crashing was due to immigration.
The narrative started to spread that marijuana use led to sex crimes, addiction, and violence. Unfortunately, marijuana usage was associated with Black and Latino American communities and used as one major target of propaganda during this time. From then on it became a political mission to ban weed consumption medically and recreationally which really only targeted minorities.
Later, in the 1940's, research debunked these previous ideas about addiction to weed, and effects of violence. Slowly, acceptance of marijuana began to change amongst white folks and started to become more of a trend into the 60's.
Marijuana counterculture in the 60's
Weed began to be heavily used amongst "hippies" and people involved in rock and roll culture. Unfortunately, participation in this "counterculture" was only something socially acceptable for white people. As marijuana was still technically illegal, the disparities between punishment of white versus BIPOC users is astounding. For white people, being caught wasn't so much of a big deal as their punishments were much more relaxed whereas Black and Latino folks were being locked up for a range of 2 to 10 years for possession.
The issue got to the point where the legal system recognized that people (white people) were disregarding marijuana laws. Starting in the 1970's decriminalization started in various states, with allowance of medical use and reduced penalties for unauthorized possession. It wasn't till 1996 that California became the first state to legalize medicinal marijuana use, and slowly other states began to follow. Finally, in 2012, Colorado and Washington were the first states to legalize recreational marijuana use.
Currently in 2023, there is 23 of 50 states that have legalized marijuana use.
Gentrification of the Marijuana Industry
With all of this history in mind, it is clear that throughout the legalization process, unfortunately, it was only the white perspective that was truly considered. We can see the impact of this through the weed companies that have rose to the top. These brands have created a specific aesthetic and level of accessibility that is catered to a primarily middle class, white demographic through specific advertisement methods. Those who pioneered the use of marijuana are still shut out of this industry due to these lack of representation and accessibility tactics. On top of that, this leads to yet another example of an industry that worsens an already existing racial wealth gap.
Gentrification of the marijuana industry is particularly problematic as this only encourages people from underrepresented communities to buy off the streets, as this is what's accessible. One major issue that can be identified is that unauthorized sales of weed due which can be extremely dangerous in some cases. Across the country there has been numerous examples of marijuana laced with drugs like fentanyl or methamphetamine being sold by street vendors. Not only does this impact the lives of the BIPOC community in terms of health, but also somehow tends to be flipped to become yet another associated stigma.
Shows and movies that portray the "stoner aesthetic" or "typical drug dealer" only further create this narrative of white people being relaxed, dumb, and comedic whereas people of color are portrayed as a problem.
How can we create more inclusion?
It is evident that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done in the current industry to include the original communities who pioneered marijuana use. Stories of the people who have lived experiences and fell victim to real life altering events due to involvement with marijuana are necessary to be shared. There are still people who were incarcerated on drug charges due to previous weed laws and there needs to be advocates for this issue.
Creating different representations of weed use in media is another big way to lead into inclusion. Before weed was ever used for pure enjoyment, there is a history of cultural practices and customs that are rarely represented but are valuable perspectives to be shared.
Development of safe and diverse spaces is another way to promote inclusion within the industry! This is not only a way to build community but also to have a space to share perspectives and produce change.
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