Greened Out
“When people become weed-heads
They become sluggish, lazy, stupid, and unconcerned
Sluggish, lazy, stupid, and unconcerned
That’s all marijuana does to you, okay?
This is mom.”
– Frank Ocean, “Be Yourself”
Puff, puff, pass. Smoking weed is just that simple when you’re a twenty-something person living in a city where recreational marijuana is celebrated. As your lungs start to fill with the flower-filled smoke, you cough, feeling a wave of relaxation adhering to all of your senses. Feeling your thoughts heighten, you think—and think—and think. Maybe those existential thoughts have led you to think about how cannabis became...well...weed?
Whether you consider yourself 420-friendly or not, Rosie Watson’s voicemail is certainly jarring to hear when listening to Frank Ocean’s Blond. Is her message valid, or factual?
Cannabis has been used for thousands of years for medicinal, holistic, and spiritual purposes. From the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung’s pharmacopeia to the hippie era of the 60s and 70s, the plant has traveled through Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The benefits are apparent to users worldwide, who report relief from pain, inflammation, depression, anxiety, arthritis, menstrual cramps, lack of appetite, and more.
Cannabis use in America dates back to when the colonies began to plant crops all over the land, using it alongside tobacco for everyday supplies. Even Thomas Jefferson himself was a marijuana farmer. However, when the Mexican Revolution began in 1910, immigrants brought recreational marijuana use to America. Due to prejudice and anti-immigrant sentiments, the plant was seen as a threat to society. History class didn’t teach us that one, did it? Following suit, California took the lead as the first state to ban any and all marijuana usage in 1913. Shortly after, the plant became a menace to America, slowly losing its justice in all fifty states. The Federal Bureau of Narcotics shortly found marijuana to be highly addictive, and “a gateway to harder drugs.”
If cannabis is beneficial, why is it taboo to talk about, much less a crime to use? History often repeats itself, and in American society, this was evident with the release of Louis J. Gasnier’s 1936 film, Reefer Madness. The movie coined the term “the devil’s lettuce,” further stigmatizing marijuana use in America. Posters for the film portrayed the plant as a source of lust, crime, sorrow, hate, shame, and despair. The stigma continued to evolve decades later, creating pure distaste for the plant amongst the collective.
Picture it: the 1970s. Disco music was grooving, bell-bottom pants were swaying, and drug use was on the rise. The rise of rock music, disco, and the hippie movement also helped to make marijuana more mainstream. Catalog artists like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan sang about marijuana in their songs, and many young people began to associate the drug with a bohemian and free-spirited lifestyle: the birth of the hippie if you will.
Enter the War on Drugs: a government-led campaign to combat drug use and related crime. President Nixon declared drug abuse as “public enemy number one.” But this wasn’t just any old campaign—it was a full-blown war. The War on Drugs has been criticized for its harsh penalties, like mandatory minimum sentences, and its disproportionate impact on communities of color that still occur today.
In the 1960s and 70s, the outspoken nature of young people was stronger than ever, and with it came a general sense of rebellion against authority. Especially in consideration of their protest against the Vietnam War, which led the youth to adopt a general sense of disdain against authority and the government. So when cannabis made its way into the hands of users from the 70s and into the 90s, the stigma of recreational use gradually began to fade as more states in the US legalized medical marijuana.
The youth culture of the 1990s would come to play a significant role in the increasing acceptance of recreational use. With the rise of alternative music genres like grunge and hip-hop, marijuana became a symbol of rebellion against mainstream culture, all while promoting unity amongst their generation. Musicians like Nirvana and Cypress Hill openly sang about their love for the herb, and their fans took notice.
Pop culture’s newfound acceptance of the drug proved itself relevant when movies like “Friday”, “Half Baked”, and “Dazed and Confused” portrayed marijuana use in a humorous and relatable light.
This helped to shift public opinion on the plant, with many people seeing the medicinal benefits that it could offer. California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana through a voter initiative in 1996, which was followed by more states legalizing it for medicinal life. Fast forward to 2012, when the green revolution was in full swing. Colorado and Washington took the lead by becoming the first states to legalize recreational marijuana through voter initiatives.
As of March 2023, 18 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana. However, it doesn’t stop here. The legalization of marijuana has undeniably been a game-changer for the cannabis industry: generating jobs, tax revenue, and providing funding for various social programs.
If you visit any avenue in Manhattan, you’ll note the numerous cannabis dispensaries and smoke shops along almost every street corner. The legalization of medical and recreational marijuana has allowed these shops to become socially acceptable and mainstream. It’s truly a smoker’s paradise—you can buy in a comfortable atmosphere while the knowledgeable staff hooks you up with products catered to your liking.
It’s a luxury to live in a 420-friendly state, but that’s not the case for everyone. While resident citizens of bustling metropolitan areas have the legroom to smoke as they please—others are still fighting for medicinal use—not even close to legalization.
One critical issue that has come to light is the plight of those who are still incarcerated for marijuana-related offenses while the substance is now legal in many states. For years, people have been arrested and jailed for possessing, using, or selling marijuana, despite it now being considered a legal substance in many states. Many of these people are still serving long sentences for crimes that would no longer be considered crimes if they were committed today.
The criminalization of cannabis use is a fundamental problem as is. It just so happens to be more prominent amongst communities of color, where marijuana laws have had a disproportionate impact on black and brown people. In an analysis conducted by the Washington Post in 2022, statistics reported “While marijuana arrests overall dropped in the year since Virginia became the first state in the South to legalize, Black adults, accounted for nearly 60 percent of marijuana-related cases before the state’s general district and circuit courts, an analysis of marijuana-related code citations in the state’s court system concluded, despite Black people accounting for about 20 percent of the state population.”
Not only is this statistic a product of injustice, but a mere matter of racial inequity. People of color are still facing punishment for the same consequences as their white counterparts who have been released on account of the same offenses.
As more states legalize marijuana, it’s critical that we address the work needed to be done to rectify the wrongs of the past. This includes not only freeing those who have been unfairly incarcerated—but also creating opportunities for them to benefit from the legal cannabis industry—recognizing the harm that has been done and taking steps to ensure that justice is awarded to everyone.
So the next time you roll up, remember to light one up for those who don’t have the privilege to indulge in the warm sensation of being high. We must recognize the stark contrast between us, who are now able to legally use and benefit from marijuana, to those who are still behind bars for the same substance.
Let it be a reminder of the SYSTEMIC INJUSTICES that continue to plague our criminal justice system.
Should you choose to consume marijuana, remember to do so ethically. Here are some tips:
Recreational vs. medicinal marijuana:
Recreational use is all about having a good time, while medicinal use is focused on symptom relief. When it comes to strains, there are plenty of options to choose from, each offering its own unique effects. Some strains will mellow you out, while others can help with pain relief.
Strains:
There are three main categories of cannabis strains: Indica, Sativa, and hybrid. Indica strains are known for their relaxing effects, while Sativa strains are often energizing. Hybrid strains are a blend of both and can be Indica-dominant or Sativa-dominant. However, the effects of a strain may vary depending on the individual and how it is consumed.
Before you start rolling up that joint, remember to consume responsibly. Start with a small dose and be mindful of any potential side effects if you’re not a routine smoker. And of course, cop with caution.
While we’re gradually evolving into a 420-friendly era, it’s important to acknowledge and work towards addressing the injustices of the past despite the advances we are already facing. We must advocate for the release of those who are still incarcerated for marijuana offenses and work to ensure that they are provided with the resources and support needed to successfully reintegrate into life today.
For now, let’s raise a glass (or a bong) to cannabis culture today, and give our thanks to all the hard-working advocates who fought for legalization. Here’s to a future where cannabis can be enjoyed without fear of persecution.
Editor in Chief, Creative Dir: Pilar Bradley
Graphic Designer and Cover Artist: Caitlin Yackley
