Greenspan 1

Blake Greenspan

Professor Bedell

CAS 137H

5 November 2018

A Demon Becomes a Saint: How The Perception of Marijuana Changed in America

In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize the recreational use

of marijuana within the United States. Now, a total of nine states and Washington D.C. have

legalized recreational marijuana as well. The new policies and attitudes come after years of

shifting attitudes around the substance. In the past century, the dominant ideology about

marijuana has shifted to a new emerging ideology that marijuana is not a demon like once

believed; through medical research, public/political support, and dissociation from past beliefs,

this has paved the way for a change in perception regarding marijuana.

1. A Dominant Ideology Takes Hold: “Weed Is Detrimental to American Society”

In the early 1800’s, marijuana found its way into Western medicine for medical and

therapeutic uses. American physicians “routinely prescribed marijuana until the late 1930’s” for

a variety of diseases and symptoms (Thomas, 2010). However, the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937

was the first federal intervention on the use and distribution of marijuana which made it
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impossible for physicians to prescribe the herb (Thomas, 2010). As a result, marijuana was no

longer in the medical or public limelight until 40 years later.

In the 1970’s, public attitudes on marijuana took a significant U-turn. With a Nixon

presidency, Nixon promised to sign into law a controlled substances act, and he did just that. The

Controlled Substances Act of 1970 was created with the purpose of categorizing drugs into 5

schedules based on medicinal use, potential abuse, psychological/physical effects. ​Congress

placed:

“Marijuana, along with heroin, ecstasy, LSD, GHB, and peyote, in Schedule I, the only

category that prohibits any use, medicinal or not. Drugs like cocaine, codeine,

OxyContin, and methamphetamine landed in the less restrictive Schedule II, which

permits prescription-based medical use” (Thomas, 2010).

Although marijuana was temporarily classified as a Schedule 1, Nixon’s beliefs were set. Nixon

advocated, “a goddam strong statement on marijuana”, and he ignored his commission’s advice

to reschedule marijuana for medical purposes (Thomas, 2010). Thus, marijuana stayed a

Schedule 1 drug which would establish a dominant ideology on marijuana in American society

through public and presidential beliefs.

As a result of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, American views on marijuana were

cemented in a new dominant ideology that “weed is detrimental to American society”. America

slowly started to see marijuana as a demon drug. The Drug Abuse Resistance Education

(​D.A.R.E.​) was founded to prevent drugs and educate the public. D.A.R.E. started out as a drug

prevention, school program in Los Angeles, but it became mainstream throughout the United

States (​“The History of D.A.R.E.”​). In addition, anti-drug campaigns such as “This Is Your Brain
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on Drugs” became prominent. These organizations and campaigns above characterized

marijuana as a demon that one should avoid. The government clearly indicated in the Controlled

Substances Act of 1970 that marijuana was prohibited for all uses. Thus, there was no place for

marijuana in society. Furthermore, Nixon appealed to the silent majority, white middle-class

supporters, through racist attitudes which supported his position. Nixon’s former domestic policy

chief John Ehrlichman offers an insight into his beliefs which “targeted blacks and hippies”

(LoBianco, 2016). Ehrlichman states that Nixon said, “​We knew we couldn't make it illegal to be

either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana

and blacks with heroin. And then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those

communities” (LoBianco, 2016). The statement indicates that Nixon intended to characterize

minority groups with drug use; thus, ​Americans associated these drugs with barbarians, addicts,

and people of threat to societal values/peace. Nixon’s characterization appealed to the silent

majority because it furthered the perception that marijuana was a demon drug unfit for America.

The silent majority were largely white, middle-class citizens that felt society was under assault

by hippies and blacks; therefore, Nixon’s political strategy of criminalization was to lessen the

“threat” posed to American society and appeal to his silent majority. Therefore, it was easy to

characterize marijuana as a threat to society and support the legislation for strict marijuana laws.

Although the majority of America supported the criminalization of marijuana, others

argued for its use in society. From doctors to marijuana supporters, some believed that marijuana

could play a helpful role in society. Doctors and scientists still fought for medicinal rights.

However, with little research to back up their claims, it was a losing battle. Society agreed that

marijuana was not a product of scientific creation. Thus, they believed that there was less control
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over the substance, and it would increase the risk of side effects or other unknowns (Thomas,

2010). Considering the public rejected the scientific proof at a national level, political officials

were quick to represent their constituents and fight against marijuana in America. Thus, in the

1970’s, marijuana had little place in society. Even with the valiant efforts from supporters and

researchers, the public was quick to shut down ideas of legalization, and the laws further

supported the ideas that weed was detrimental to America. Therefore, the dominant ideology was

set that “weed is detrimental to American society.”

2. An Emerging Ideology Becomes Dominant: Out with the Old in with the New

With the dominant ideology on marijuana cemented in the American public, there was

little room for change in ideology. Through the 70’s and 80’s, the support for legalization

fluctuated from 12% to 30% (Smith, 2018). Nonetheless, the majority of America still believed

that marijuana should be illegal. Support for the legalization of marijuana came from citizen

support at the state level for medical access and decriminalization. Through lobbying, political

activism, and ballot initiatives, state interest grew (Martin, 2016). “Oregon, Alaska and Maine

decriminalized marijuana during the decade, and New Mexico approved a short-lived medical

marijuana research program in 1978” (Martin, 2016). This was the first shift toward a changing

ideology on marijuana. The general public was watching, and they witnessed the increase in state

support but did not budge. However, with the rise of the Baby Boom generation, the dominant

ideology on marijuana was about to be uprooted.

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Although much of society rejected marijuana, the Baby Boom generation had different

beliefs. In 1973, 43% percent of Baby Boomers supported the legalization of marijuana (Smith,

2018). This number is drastically different from the general public where only 12% of

Americans supported the legalization of marijuana. Because the Baby Boom generation was born

during or after the war on drugs, they had a different ideology on marijuana. Missing the political

influence of the 70’s, the Baby Boom generation was able to make their own conclusions based

on personal experience or social observation. In 1991, 53% of oncologists believed that cannabis

should be available for prescription (Doblin, 1991). Later that year, California passed their first

medical marijuana initiative with overwhelming support. As a result, on November 5​th​, 1995,

California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana (Bridgeman, 2017). Over the

four-year period, there were many scientific discoveries about marijuana, and first-hand

testimonials shared the “wonders” of medical use. The culmination of these credible reports and

personal experiences swayed the beliefs of the Baby Boom generation. Furthermore, an

emerging ideology rose that stated, “marijuana is not the demon once thought”, and it has

potential uses that could solve a variety of symptoms and alignments.

With the emerging ideology spreading throughout America, support for reform grew.

Activist groups like the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (​NORML​)

became prominent. These groups promoted efforts to legalize medical marijuana at the state and

local levels. From 1980 to 2000, various campaigns were launched at changing the perception of

marijuana. They described the medical uses in “Medical Marijuana,” decriminalization efforts in

“I’m not a criminal,” and they shared the realities of users in “We’re not nugget heads.” The

campaigns slowly worked, and legalization support double from 1990 to 2000 (Smith, 2018).
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Furthermore, many of the activist groups demonstrated that the previous beliefs instilled by the

Nixon administration created a huge problem for minorities: specifically, a mass incarceration of

blacks. As a result of the activism, Americans soon became aware that “blacks were four times

as likely to be arrested for a non-violent marijuana possession” which indicated a significant

racial bias (​
“Marijuana Arrests by the Numbers”​). Mass incarceration of African Americans

reached its peak in the late 1990s, and the disparities caused great concern and calls for reform.

Thus, many Americans started to recognize the disproportional impacts of marijuana laws which

further promoted change to marijuana legislation. The calls for the decriminalization of

marijuana show a reduced mass incarceration among blacks which will help reduce the number

of minor possession charges (​“Marijuana Arrests by the Numbers”)​. As a result, the new

emerging ideology dug its roots deeper in society. As a result, political interest at the state level

grew as a new ideology emerged.

Increasing support for marijuana posed problems for political officials. At the federal

level, marijuana is strictly prohibited and illegal; however, support skyrocketed for marijuana

and its medical uses. Progressive states were quick to support medical marijuana. Alaska,

Oregon, and Washington followed California in the legalization of medical marijuana in the late

90s, and nearly 60% of voters in each state approved the ballot initiative (Sasagawa, 2015). By

2004, ten states legalized medical marijuana. The support at the state level provided funding for

research and medical advancement using marijuana. As a result, more scientific proof of the

positive effects of marijuana became present. From AIDS to glaucomas, medical marijuana

eased the symptoms of these serious diseases (Bridgeman, 2017), and it was clear that the

perception of marijuana had changed at the state level as well as in the public.
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The AARP announced in 2004 that 72% of seniors supported medical marijuana (​“AARP

Poll on Medical Marijuana”​). Again, this was contributed to the Baby Boom generation. At this

point in time, the Baby Boom generation was the senior citizens in society. The previous

generations that strongly rejected marijuana died. As a result, the dominant ideology died with

them. As mentioned, the previous generations thought of marijuana as a demon that was unfit for

American culture. They believed that there were no uses for marijuana whatsoever. The Baby

Boomers, however, supported medical marijuana at a high percentage (Martinez, 2018). Thus,

the emerging ideology that they established in the late 80s and early 90s became more ubiquitous

in American society.

When the emerging ideology became a dominant ideology, it catalyzed marijuana reform

across the United States. In 2008, the United States saw a large expansion of state legalization.

The Obama administration promised to roll back many of enforcement policies set in place

decades ago (Gurman, 2018). Marijuana support made its way to the top of the political ladder.

This alone made the opposition rethink their beliefs and ideologies. Even President Obama, with

numerous other pop culture influences, admitted to smoking marijuana. With President Obama

serving as a role model to many, his messages on marijuana were widely accepted and read.

Thus, his experiences and beliefs would further promote acceptance and tolerance. By the end of

Obama’s presidency, support for legalization grew to 57% among all Americans (Smith, 2018).

Now, 72% of Democrats and 51% of Republicans support the legalization of recreational

marijuana (Struyk, 2018). Support from high ranking political officials contributed to the

acceptance of the new dominant ideology. The previous dominant ideology solidified because of
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Nixon’s beliefs and legislation. However, with the tides already turning, political support from

President Obama was able to cement the new dominant ideology in American society.

With the new dominant ideology on marijuana cemented, the ideology was strengthened

due to a shift in medicine. With many Americans opposed to traditional medical practices, a rise

in holistic medicine occurred. Many moved away from synthetic and lab-made treatments. A

connection between the mind, body and spirit offered a changed to traditional approaches. Many

Americans regard marijuana as a holistic approach due it being a product of Mother Nature.

Marijuana is not grown in a lab or synthesized by scientists. It grows as a by-product of nature,

and it provides treatment for a wide variety of symptoms. Thus, with the rise of a holistic

medicine, marijuana was advanced as a product that supported the approach. Therefore, the new

dominant ideology on marijuana was further recognized in society through the advancement of

an increasing holistic American lifestyle.

3. The Dominant Ideology Cements

Today, thirty states allow some form of medical marijuana, and nine of those states

have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. As of October 2018, 6 in 10 Americans support

the legalization of marijuana, and around 9 in 10 Americans support marijuana for medical

purposes (Smith, 2018). Support from influential figures further promote the changing ideology.

From Barack Obama to Miley Cyrus, many famous figures, either political or social, have shared

their experiences with marijuana which have promoted tolerance and acceptance for the new

dominant ideology established by the Baby Boom generation.

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Thus, it is clear that a shift in ideologies has occurred. Marijuana was once thought of as

a demon and had no place in society. Today, with evidence from the medical communities,

support from the American public, and policy implementation from political officials, marijuana

has a place in society whether medically or recreationally. The disassociation from past beliefs

has allowed for the new dominant ideology to cement and change the perception of marijuana in

the United States which is changing the lives of many Americans for the better. With election

day upon us, how will you vote?

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Works Cited

Should Marijuana Be a Medical Option?,​ ProCon, 23 Oct.

“AARP Poll on Medical Marijuana.” ​

2010, medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.additional-resource.php?resourceID=000193.

Bridgeman, Mary. “Medicinal Cannabis: History, Pharmacology, And Implications for the Acute

Care Setting.” ​Pharmacy and Therapeutics​, MediMedia USA, Inc., Mar. 2017,

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5312634/.

Doblin, R.E. “Marijuana as Antiemetic Medicine: a Survey of Oncologists' Experiences and

Attitudes.” ​Journal of Clinical Oncology,​ vol. 9, no. 7, 1991, pp. 1314–1319.,

doi:10.1200/jco.1991.9.7.1314.

Gurman, Sadie. “Justice Department Ending Obama Policy That Let Legal Pot Flourish.”

Chicago Tribune​, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2018,

www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-sessions-legal-marijuana-policy-20180104-story

.html.

“The History of D.A.R.E.” ​D.A.R.E. America,​ Drug Abuse Resistance Education, 2018,

dare.org/history/.

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Network, 24 Mar. 2016,

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/index.html.

American Civil Liberties Union​, ACLU, 2018,

“Marijuana Arrests by the Numbers.” ​

www.aclu.org/gallery/marijuana-arrests-numbers.
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Martin, Scott. “Marijuana in the United States: How Attitudes Have Changed.” ​Time​, Time, 20

Apr. 2016, time.com/4298038/marijuana-history-in-america/.

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Sept. 2018, time.com/5390846/baby-boomer-marijuana-use/.

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Sasagawa, Emi. “Marijuana in Alaska Has Long Been Legal. Now the State Is Struggling to

Regulate It.” ​The Washington Post​, WP Company, 17 July 2015,

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en-legal-now-the-state-is-struggling-to-regulate-it/?utm_term=.056dfeafe70e.

Smith, Samantha. “Why Americans Support or Oppose Legalizing Marijuana.” ​Pew Research

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2018,

www.cnn.com/2018/01/04/politics/marijuana-legalization-by-the-numbers/index.html.

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Psychiatric Times, vol. 27, no. 1, 2010, pp. 1-2,4. ProQuest,

http://ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezaccess.libraries.p

su.edu/docview/204591844?accountid=13158.