Attitude Change towards Marijuana Use among Adolescents and Young Adults
Abstract
Change in attitude towards consumption of marijuana products has been changing over the past decades. These have led to reduced stigmatization of individuals involved with the consumption of cannabis products. Cannabis culture adopted by adolescents and young adults over the years have to result from moving movement advocating for the legalization of Marijuana. States and countries globally are starting to change their perspective about the drug with countries like Uruguay, Canada, and the Netherlands legalizing the use of recreational marijuana. The change in attitude towards the medicine over the past decades can be attributed to: A decrease in Religion and increase in technological advancement, the evolution of criminal justice system with measures towards the drug being eased, increased media coverage of the benefits of the drug, increased opportunities in the cannabis industry with international companies like Coca-Cola willing to invest in the industry. Research and healthy mobilization of consumption of Marijuana have helped in a change of attitude towards the drug. People are starting to increase their tolerance towards the drug with the various health benefits, and legalization of the drug by countries and States. Marijuana has become an essential part of the young adult’s culture with high school and college student numbers using the drug increase by the day. Use of Marijuana by different cultures India have helped in attitude change towards the drug and has proven to be medicinal with some countries allowing physicians to prescribe Marijuana as a means of treatment. International calls are being made towards legalization of the drug as countries and investors see the opportunities that lie within the cannabis industry.
Introduction
Over the past two decades, cannabis culture has become frequent among adolescents and young adults worldwide. Historically, the use of Marijuana can be dated back to 2000 BCE in Central Asia, Africa, Germanic peoples, and Ancient China. The use of the drug has varied from recreational to medical, spiritual, and other users in different cultures worldwide. Over the years, the drug consumption has changed with the Rastafari movement that originated in Jamaica, to consumption by hippies in western subcultures and ravers and hip hop culture. In the 60s, the consumption of cannabis was widespread, with movie industries ripping benefits by creating stoners comedy movies illustrating the use and effects of cannabis on our society. These have resulted in customs revolving around the use of cannabis, for example, 420 a modern time for consuming Marijuana. These customs have extended towards consuming drugs with others to share views and relations among peer groups of adolescents and young individuals. In today’s society, drug consumption is associated with the appreciation of music, art, and increased creativity.
The drug consumption among young adults increased from the 90s up-to-now with the culture widespread popularly among adolescents and young adults, followed by Alcohol and tobacco. The primary way of consumption is through smoking, which is believed to have more effect than other consumption methods like baking and in festivals like Sikh performed in Punjab, India, where it is an additional flavour to intoxicating drinks. With countries and States across the world, changing their legislation in favour of the consumption of the drug and lifting measures previously established has led to the increased use of cannabis among adolescents and young adults worldwide (Blevins, C 2018). Attitude change towards the drug in society has recently has been on the rise with its high consumption. States like California have legalized the sale of cannabis, resulting in an increase in revenues for the State.
Why the change in attitude towards Marijuana
Various studies conducted by consumer researchers over the past years shows a change in attitude towards the drug with recent efforts by some countries and states legalizing the use of cannabis. 6o% of consumers live in cities, 30% lived in the suburbs, and 10% lived in small towns. Consumption of cannabis by parents with children has led to more recognition and acceptance of the drug and the fact that the drug is less harmful than alcohol, which is unhealthier and is legal in most countries worldwide. There is still no other drug that comes close to cannabis with consumers’ views that the drug can be full medical and full recreational. Another study showed that 53% of cannabis consumers are employed full time, with an average of $70,000 annually. As the younger generation is elected in a position to replace outgoing old individuals, more and more legislation will be passed in favour of cannabis consumption and its acceptance to the society without the negative stigmatization.
A decrease in Religion and Increase in Technological Advancement
A decrease in religious adolescents and young adulated has also had a significant impact on attitude change towards the consumption of Marijuana. Religions hold the most taboos towards those who prefer going in a different way than what is said or believed. About 12% of the change in attitude towards cannabis consumption can be attributed to decreased religious adolescence and young adults. Increased technology, internet availability, and expanded coverage of movements and revolutions towards the legalization of Marijuana has resulted in the shift in views between individuals in communities globally. There is a result of increased media framing of Marijuana as both medicinal and recreational, resulting in fewer individuals seeing the drug as harmful hence the shift in attitude change towards consumption of Marijuana.
Evolution of Criminal Justice
The war on drugs has been considered to be creating an excessively punitive justice system. These resulted in various amendments made on legislations to ease punishment on those found consuming cannabis. In 2018, Canada legalized the use of non-medical Marijuana, since then, many studies are being done to understand the use of cannabis comprehensively in the context of public health and policy changes priority. Loosening of these restrictions has increased the consumption of cannabis products among adolescents and young adults. Over the past years, cannabis has been the most used illicit drug, with the high school students consuming cannabis increasing as time goes. Increased cigarette and alcohol consumption limitations because of the health complication have resulted in increased consumption of cannabis products to fill in the gap created by the restrictions. Following the legalization of medical Marijuana, it was evident that the trend was moving towards change in attitude and norms regarding the consumption of Marijuana.
Increased Opportunities related to Marijuana Products
As countries and States continue to legalize recreational Marijuana, stigmatization of those using the drugs is reducing as time passes until it is regarded as just like any other drug with its side effects just like cigarettes and Alcohol. With more manufacturing emphasis by countries, cannabis is attracting many investors due to the variety of products that can be made by adding cannabis as an ingredient. These products’ popularity is increasing rapidly due to improved varieties and flavours these products come in. Adolescents and young individuals have access to much information at their disposal that they can use to understand and make an informed decision on whether to consume cannabis or not. These are used to make products adolescents and young individuals find favourable to finish during their recreation period. As cannabis product increase in the market, this will create a whole new idea about Marijuana increasing the number of users through media coverage movies and games, enabling more individuals to change their attitude about the consumption of cannabis.
Research and Mobilization of Healthy Consumption of Cannabis products.
Many countries are increasing studies to understand Marijuana and the variety of products that can be made from this product for medicinal and recreational purposes. Countries like Portugal, Greece, and Poland have cannabis programs aimed at developing medical products, super-foods, and cosmetics products from Marijuana. All this research has led to adolescents and young individuals changing their attitude towards the consumption of cannabis. Today majority of adolescents and young adults have consumed cannabis products at least once in their life and have no problem with the consumption of the products. Health consumption of cannabis products has become familiar with people developing more tolerance to these changes with every generation that comes (Rusby, J 2018). These have resulted in changes in perspectives and attitudes towards Marijuana and reduction of stigmatization of individuals consuming cannabis products. These have resulted in more adolescents and young adults participating in the consumption of cannabis products.
The inspiration behind the criminalization of Marijuana
Many of the laws passed criminalizing the use of Marijuana were adopted in the early 20th century and late 19th century when many migrants were moving from Mexico and Asia to America in search of employment and other opportunities the country had to offer. Consumption of cannabis was expected, and when combined with stereotypes, this led to the adoption of anti-marijuana laws (Renjen, P 2019). These reasons lack meaning on why people should not consume Marijuana. In 1985, medical Marijuana was made available to chemotherapy patients to help reduce the vomiting and nausea caused by the treatment. Medical Marijuana has also proven useful in epilepsy, asthma, and allergies treatment. These accomplishments have resulted in the shift in attitude towards the drug resulting in more consumption of marijuana products by adolescents and young adults worldwide.
International call for decriminalization of Marijuana
Many countries around the world are easing their laws on marijuana use and consumption. Big international companies like Coca-Cola, which has established its operations in more than 200 countries globally are looking to take advantage of the new marijuana products market. States all over are now considering legalizing recreational Marijuana, with 43% of the total voters having no issue with the consumption of cannabis or they have consumed cannabis products at least once in their life (Brooks-Russell, 2019). With all this in place and accessing media coverage, the overall attitude towards marijuana consumption has been shifting as people gain more tolerance of the drug with the content its getting and the potential benefits that can be unlocked if given time. Netflix is one of the giant movie streaming platforms and has a show called “Cooking on High” which involves competition cooking using Marijuana as an ingredient in cooking various snacks and meal. After Uruguay, Canada and the Netherlands legalizing the use of recreational Marijuana countrywide, countries like Mexico, Lebanon, Luxemburg and New Zeeland are considering legalizing the use of recreational Marijuana soon creating more attitude change in people around the world. South Africa legalized the use of Marijuana in private places by adults.
Important Part of Identity
The positive beliefs of cannabis have boosted consumption of cannabis products among adolescents and young adults as they prefer Marijuana over tobacco and Alcohol. High school and college students are the primary consumers of recreational Marijuana with young adults have changed their perspective of the drug and might even be willing to participate in such an occasion arise. A study conducted in public universities available in Oregon has reported increased consumption of cannabis products after the legalization of the drug (Miller, 2017). The report also emphasized on high school students engaging in the consumption of cannabis products even though they are not 21 years of age which is the legal limit. Studies have shown peers engaging in consumption or are open to being a consumer have created more cohesion among peer groups. The belief that Marijuana is harmless and also has medicinal value has led to more adolescents and young adults in consumptions of cannabis products as they are considered less harmful than tobacco and alcohol. These beliefs have led to more peers being open to participating in these culture as the overall attitude towards the consumption of the drug has improved. Less stigmatization and availability of research to understand more about the drug and its effect on recreational consumption.
Use of Marijuana in other Cultures
In Hinduism, Marijuana is consumed to observe the ritual of goddess Shiva. In Holi festivals, Marijuana is also added to the religious drink. Marijuana is considered to be a deliverance drug in the Rastafari Religion. Worshipper’s belief that the more smoke, the more Babylon will fall with Babylon representing the various forms of oppression we face in today’s societies. Over the years, a new religious philosophy identified as Cantheism signifying attitude towards Marijuana to be considered a spiritual experience but not a religion. Various religions like Jewish have been open to the consumption of Marijuana, while Catholics are partial in favour of the drug while Protestants who are conservatives are not available to the use of Marijuana. These have resulted in various individuals having a different opinion regarding the recreational use of Marijuana by adolescence and young adults (Hasin, D 2018).
When kids interact from different backgrounds and Religion interact in school, it becomes more difficult to understand why specific individuals are strictly against the use of Marijuana. Other cultures are more open to the use of the drug as they believe it is medicinal and can be used to hence relaxation to users. Adolescents and young adults are influencing each other in the consumption of cannabis products and change in attitude towards those who participate in the culture. Various treatments that are starting to recommend the use of medical Marijuana have also made people change their attitude towards the products as people can learn and understand the health benefits of the drug and not just the side effects caused by the drug.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the change in attitude towards Marijuana and the use of Marijuana among adolescents and young adults can be attributed to declining in Religion over the past few decades and increase in technological advancements which have to enable people to share information globally. These enabled the removal of various assumption surrounding the consumption of cannabis products. People are in a position to learn and see how the cannabis industry has changed. International companies like Coca-Cola with establishments in over 200 countries are willing to invest in this line of business, as they see it as an untapped resource that will prove beneficial in the future days ahead. Legalization of recreational Marijuana in other counties also helped people change their attitude towards the drug. More shareholders are willing to invest in the industry as benefits can outweigh the harm that will be caused by the legalization of the drug to societies, States and Countries globally.
Increased research has also helped to reduce stigmatization of those consuming cannabis products. Health benefits can be adopted from the drugs with some countries like Canada legalizing recreational use of Marijuana. Doctors can prescribe patients marijuana as medicine for health benefits like weight loss due to healthy diets and weight gain through appetite when people consume cannabis products. These changes have resulted in o change in attitude towards consumption of cannabis among adolescence and young adults as they see the drug harmless. Media coverage have helped with various advats on the benefits of marijuana.
References
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Miller, A. M., Rosenman, R., & Cowan, B. W. (2017). Recreational marijuana legalization and college student use: Early evidence. SSM-Population Health, 3, 649-657.
Renjen, P. N., Chaudhari, D. M., Mishra, A., & Kumar, A. (2019). Neurological uses of cannabis. Apollo Medicine, 16(3), 148.
Rusby, J. C., Westling, E., Crowley, R., & Light, J. M. (2018). Legalization of recreational Marijuana and community sales policy in Oregon: Impact on the adolescent willingness and intent to use, parent use, and adolescent use. Psychology of addictive behaviours, 32(1), 84.