The Lazy Stoner: An Outdated Stereotype
In the last one hundred and ten years, the United States Government has waged war on intoxicating substances through Prohibition and the War on Drugs. Starting in 1920, the Eighteenth Amendment was passed, which outlawed the possession, sale, or transportation of alcohol. While Prohibition lasted for thirteen years (ending in 1933), citizens grew dissatisfied and began manufacturing their own alcohol, sparking a rise in moonshine.
Until the 1970s, most intoxicating substances were legal. However, the government faced controversy due to the CIA mind-control experiment known as MKUltra, which utilized lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) to weaken individuals' autonomy and recollection. Beginning in 1953, the CIA encouraged the production and consumption of LSD, which ultimately influenced the surge of substances in the 1960s. When the project was unveiled in the early 1970s, citizens raged against the government, which responded by passing the Controlled Substances Act, criminalizing all psychoactive substances such as LSD and marijuana. Additionally, the government banned drug experiments on humans in 1976 and released MKUltra’s documents to regain the public’s trust. As a final measure, federal and state governments initiated school programs that discouraged drug use, further contributing to the stigmatization of intoxicating substances.
Although this series of events happened fifty years ago, it still affects how people view substances today. Like alcohol, many drugs have been re-legalized, even if only on the state level. Consider marijuana, which contains the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Recreational or personal use of the plant is now legal in more than twenty states, and medical use has been approved in about forty states. Unfortunately, cannabis and its users still face stigma and stereotypes. Even the comedic portrayals are damaging.
The “stoner”, a term used to describe a frequent cannabis user, has been portrayed in the media for decades. Consider figures like Bob Marley, Cheech and Chong, Shaggy from Scooby-Doo, and the friend group from That ’70s Show. Although these people and characters are often depicted as happy and funny, they are typically exaggeratedly lazy, “slow,” or perpetually hungry. In most portrayals, they also appear to be younger than thirty. Taken together, these elements contribute to the stereotype that stoners are young, unmotivated, and social rejects. This stereotype reduces cannabis users to a single exaggerated image, ignoring the diversity of their ages, professions, and purposes for use.
In reality, this stereotype is far from the truth. People who consume cannabis, whether recreationally or medically, are still intelligent, motivated, and successful. For example, Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple Inc., admitted to using marijuana to enhance his creative abilities. I have personally had the opportunity to observe a diverse population of cannabis users through my position as a budtender at a dispensary, where I analyze individuals’ needs and make product recommendations. Most recently, I helped an older gentleman find an edible THC product to relieve his ongoing back pain. This interaction highlights the substance’s genuine usefulness and versatility.
Overall, marijuana has healing properties, and stereotyping its users is harmful. To eliminate this stereotype, the general population needs accurate education about the substance, and the federal government must reconsider the classifications laid out in the Controlled Substances Act. Public health campaigns should focus on factual information rather than fear-based messages; also, releasing scientific research on cannabis can replace outdated assumptions.
With education and awareness, the American population can stamp out the government-prescribed stereotype of marijuana and begin to explore its benefits openly and responsibly.