{"id":4130,"date":"2015-05-08T03:12:42","date_gmt":"2015-05-08T03:12:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.420magazine.com\/?p=3257"},"modified":"2015-05-08T03:12:42","modified_gmt":"2015-05-08T03:12:42","slug":"how-stoner-stereotypes-detract-from-the-importance-of-legalization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/how-stoner-stereotypes-detract-from-the-importance-of-legalization\/","title":{"rendered":"How \u2018Stoner\u2019 Stereotypes Detract From The Importance Of Legalization"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"wp_fb_like_button\" style=\"margin:5px 0 5px 5px;float:right;height:100px;\"><script src=\"http:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/all.js#xfbml=1\"><\/script><fb:like href=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/how-stoner-stereotypes-detract-from-the-importance-of-legalization\/\" send=\"true\" layout=\"standard\" width=\"450\" show_faces=\"false\" font=\"arial\" action=\"like\" colorscheme=\"light\"><\/fb:like><\/div><p>We all know at least one person who fits the \u201clazy stoner\u201d stereotype.<\/p>\n<p>These people live, eat, sleep and breathe to puff the magic dragon.<\/p>\n<p>And, if you do get them stoned, all they want to talk about are other times they got high.<\/p>\n<p>While these people may be an endless source of entertainment (It\u2019s even a trope used in some of the best classic stoner films.), it sure as hell doesn\u2019t help the legalization movement that\u2019s been taking America by storm.<\/p>\n<p>The issue of marijuana legalization has become a hot one, especially among the young and socially aware.<\/p>\n<p>Politicians are slowly but surely beginning to understand this isn\u2019t an issue that will simply fade away.<\/p>\n<p>In order to capture the very underrated Millennial vote, issues like this and marriage equality need to be addressed publicly.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the fact that a new poll conducted by the Benenson Strategy Group shows 61 percent of American voters support the legalization of recreational marijuana, politicians are still apprehensive to speak openly and honestly about the subject.<\/p>\n<p>In 1992, Bill Clinton famously stated he experimented with marijuana in England, didn\u2019t like it and did not inhale (all the while having a pot brownie smirk on his face that didn\u2019t fool anyone).<\/p>\n<p>President Obama has been known to crack subpar jokes whenever the subject is brought up publicly, as if to imply that it\u2019s not that important of an issue.<\/p>\n<p>Front woman for the 2016 Democratic nomination Hillary Clinton claims there hasn\u2019t been enough research on the subject for her to get on board with legalizing medicinal use.<\/p>\n<p>She laughed at the thought of trying marijuana, clearly stating she never has and never will.<\/p>\n<p>Personally, I can\u2019t imagine anyone believing any of these politicians.<\/p>\n<p>Both Clintons grew up in the 60s at the height of the counterculture movement (Need I say more?), and old photo and video evidence of Obama toking in his early days show that perhaps \u201cKey &amp; Peele\u2019s\u201d \u201cObama \u2013 The College Years\u201d skit isn\u2019t too far from the truth.<\/p>\n<p>A Pew Research study shows 49 percent of Americans say they have tried the devil\u2019s lettuce, so I think it\u2019s high time (See what I did there?) politicians make more of an effort to be honest, as opposed to going out of their way to appeal to the masses.<\/p>\n<p>The worst part about Hillary\u2019s claim that there just hasn\u2019t been enough research is she had to disregard the fact marijuana has been around for &#8211; and used for a multitude of purposes &#8211; as anyone can remember.<\/p>\n<p>Even the King James Bible includes several passages that are clearly about cannabis, like Genesis 1:29, which states,<\/p>\n<p><i>\u201cAnd God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth [\u2026]\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n<p>To be fair to Mrs. Clinton, her statement was more geared toward the experimental nature of states, like Colorado, passing new legalization legislation.<\/p>\n<p>Well, Hillary, the results are in: Colorado has made more than $53 million in tax revenue after only a year of legalization.<\/p>\n<p>The medicinal properties of marijuana have been extensively researched. In the 23 states that have passed laws to allow medical use, marijuana is being used to treat everything from seizures to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.<\/p>\n<p>To top it all off, 18 states have passed measures to decriminalize marijuana possession, which has significantly kept young, non-violent stoners out of our prison system.<\/p>\n<p>Hopefully, with the coming elections, Hillary will start to sing a different tune.<\/p>\n<p>The Republican Party, on the other hand, also tends to shy away from the subject, with the exception of 2016 potential candidate and governor of my home state of New Jersey, Chris Christie.<\/p>\n<p>In a recent radio show interview, Christie flexed his bully muscles, stating he planned to crack down on marijuana sale and use if elected president, despite the fact his very own state was one of the earliest to legalize medicinal use.<\/p>\n<p>His only and constantly disproven defense is the gateway drug theory, which comes from the idea that smoking pot is a \u201cgateway\u201d into the abuse of other drugs.<\/p>\n<p>While some studies have shown a correlation between marijuana use and the abuse of harder drugs, none of these studies can prove causality.<\/p>\n<p>To add to the fear mongering conservatives continue to push, Fox News is in hysterics, hosting panel discussions with titles like \u201cStoned America,\u201d where panelists make arguments like voting for legalization is like voting for slavery.<\/p>\n<p>Someone should really take all the lies Fox News has produced about pot, put it together in a mixtape and call it \u201cFear of a Stoned Planet.\u201d I bet Public Enemy would be proud.<\/p>\n<p>So, with everything we know to be factual when it comes to marijuana use, and with the majority of the population being onboard with legalizing the magic herb, why is it taking so long for change to happen?<\/p>\n<p>There are so many factors keeping it from simply happening overnight, but the fact still stands we are in the midst of a social revolution. As Millennials, we should be proud to be a part of it.<\/p>\n<p>With large organized efforts, like the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), states overwhelmingly jumping onboard and an activist movement that isn\u2019t afraid to hit the streets so its voices are heard, even President Obama has been forced to finally take the issue seriously.<\/p>\n<p>He recently told Vice News,<\/p>\n<p><i>\u201cAt a certain point, if enough states end up decriminalizing, then Congress may then reschedule marijuana.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s about the closest thing to \u201cit\u2019s about to go down\u201d a president has ever said on the subject.<\/p>\n<p>All of this brings us to the one view from the opposition that might actually be somewhat valid: the \u201clazy stoner\u201d stereotype.<\/p>\n<p>There are people who believe if America took Bob Dylan\u2019s lyrics, \u201cEverybody must get stoned,\u201d literally, this country would collapse under the weight of a relentless hoard of brain-dead, stoner zombies.<\/p>\n<p>Fear mongering like this, and the contents of that Fox News mixtape, typically come from people who have never tried marijuana.<\/p>\n<p>They base their biases and assumptions on movies they\u2019ve seen, or worse, personal experiences dealing with potheads.<\/p>\n<p>As amazing as \u201cTenacious D in The Pick of Destiny\u201d is, the image of Jack Black and Kyle Gass getting baked on the couch won\u2019t hold any water in a debate with someone who has the opinion that stoners are useless and legalization is a joke.<\/p>\n<p>While there is absolutely nothing wrong with lighting one up, ordering Chipotle and perusing Elite Daily for hours on end, keep this in mind: With great social change on such a large scale comes great responsibility.<\/p>\n<p>As fellow chronic lovers, we should unite to reconstruct the \u201clazy stoner\u201d stereotype so the opposition, the American people and Washington can finally take us seriously.<\/p>\n<p>Protesting and hitting the streets is not for everyone, so here are a few things you can do to help shift the way people view the stoner community:<\/p>\n<p><b>Be Active<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Get off your ass! One of the greatest properties of marijuana is its euphoric effect that can help highlight life\u2019s most fascinating characteristics.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of melting into the couch or getting scolded by your dog, go outside and climb a tree. Get creative and make art (or love), write a novel or make music.<\/p>\n<p>Do some volunteer work, climb a mountain to meditate on or break into the zoo to free all the animals.<\/p>\n<p>Whatever \u201cbeing active\u201d means to you, make it happen. Show the world you are anything but lazy.<\/p>\n<p><b>Be Smart<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Do your research! The next time someone who hasn\u2019t smoked pot (but somehow claims to be an expert on the potential dangers of it) tries to preach to you, show them you know your stuff.<\/p>\n<p>Get familiar with all of the medicinal benefits marijuana brings to sick people around the world.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe ask why the person isn\u2019t as opposed to alcohol, which kills around 50,000 people a year from poisoning, or tobacco, which has an astounding 400,000 smoking related deaths a year.<\/p>\n<p>And, if anyone doesn\u2019t believe a pothead can be smart, refer him or her to Carl Sagan.<\/p>\n<p><b>Be Bold<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t be ashamed that you like a little afternoon delight from time to time. Too many people are afraid to be labeled a certain way or called an addict.<\/p>\n<p>Someday soon, a nice wake and bake will be as natural as English people having tea and biscuits. Never be afraid to converse with others, and always have an open mind.<\/p>\n<p>However, you should also be tolerant of the fact recreational marijuana isn\u2019t for everyone.<\/p>\n<p><b>Be Safe<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Know your rights when dealing with the law, be aware of any risks involved and know your bud.<\/p>\n<p>For obvious reasons, driving under the influence of anything that can impair you is never a good idea.<\/p>\n<p>As much of a baller you think you are for rolling blunts of Kush like Lil Wayne, understand there are safer ways to enjoy that OG, like edibles or vaporization.<\/p>\n<p>Also, understand the difference between indica and sativa, and become familiar with the visual characteristics so someone doesn\u2019t sell you a bag of green stuff they scraped off a Subway sandwich.<\/p>\n<p>As someone who likes to think he doesn\u2019t fall into the negative stereotypes, I can\u2019t help but believe weed doesn\u2019t inherently make people lazy.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a stereotype that has been perpetuated time and time again, even within the \u201cstoner culture\u201d itself.<\/p>\n<p>We all love and laugh at films like \u201cPineapple Express\u201d and classics like the Cheech and Chong series. But, at a time when we could really use being taken seriously, those memes are now coming back to bite us in the ass.<\/p>\n<p>In this day and age, it\u2019s not just young and reckless misfits of the \u201cReefer Madness\u201d persuasion lighting up, but as Peter Tosh put it, \u201cDoctors smoke it, nurses smoke it. Judges smoke it, even the lawyer, too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In order for us to finally get the opposition, the American people and Washington to finally take our cries of \u201cLegalize It!\u201d seriously, we need to begin by taking ourselves seriously, one toke at a time.<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"http:\/\/www.420magazine.com\/gallery\/data\/1412\/27171.jpg\" alt=\"\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>News Moderator: Jacob Redmond <a href=\"http:\/\/www.420magazine.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">420 MAGAZINE \u00ae<\/a><br \/>\nFull Article: <a href=\"http:\/\/elitedaily.com\/life\/culture\/how-stoner-stereotypes-detract-from-the-importance-of-legalization\/1015435\/\" target=\"_blank\">How &#8216;Stoner&#8217; Stereotypes Detract From The Importance Of Legalization<\/a><br \/>\nAuthor: Rey Harris<br \/>\nContact: <a href=\"http:\/\/elitedaily.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Elite Daily | The Voice of Generation Y<\/a><br \/>\nPhoto Credit: Terry Richardson<br \/>\nWebsite: <a href=\"http:\/\/elitedaily.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Elite Daily | The Voice of Generation Y<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We all know at least one person who fits the \u201clazy stoner\u201d stereotype.<br \/>\nThese people live, eat, sleep and breathe&#8230; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.420magazine.com\/2015\/05\/how-stoner-stereotypes-detract-from-the-importance-of-legalization\/\" class=\"read-more\">[Read More]<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2329,9,1,3],"tags":[4896],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4130"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4130"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4130\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4130"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4130"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4130"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}