Yo, what’s good my fellow cannabis enthusiasts? Today, we’re going to take a deep dive into the world of the stoner stereotype. You know what I’m talking about, man. The idea that all weed smokers are lazy, unmotivated, and just plain stupid. But the times are changing, and it’s all thanks to us responsible stoners out there!
Back in the day, like way back in the 1930s, the United States government started spreading false propaganda about cannabis with films like “Reefer Madness”. It was all a way to make money for those in the printing and lumber industries. But it turned into a worldwide spread of misinformation that led to generations of misinformed individuals becoming parents who passed on those misconceptions to their children.
And next thing you know, everyone is talking about how one drag of a joint will kill you! Just watch any stoner movie and you’ll see how smokers and weed are portrayed. It’s time to change that, people!
STONERS ARE LAZY
One of the biggest stereotypes about stoners is that they’re lazy. Like all we do is sit on the couch, watch TV, and eat chips all day. And yeah, sure, that might sound like an ideal Saturday afternoon to some of us (myself included), but it’s not what we do all day long.
The cannabis industry is proof of that, man. We see stoners working hard on their businesses and shedding a positive light on the industry. Even in non-cannabis-related jobs, there are those who use it to enhance their work experience.
STONERS ARE ALWAYS PARANOID
Another stereotype is that stoners are paranoid. Like every little noise is the cops coming to get us or something. But let’s be real here, folks. THC can induce paranoia, but CBD can actually help reduce it. So, it’s all about finding that perfect balance between the psychoactive stimulation and physiological relief.
And let’s not forget that one of the reasons so many stoners are considered “paranoid” is because law enforcement has always been trying to arrest and incarcerate us. It’s time to change that, and we can do it by educating ourselves and others.
STONERS ARE STUPID
Oh, and let’s not forget that stoners are also said to have a bad memory! Can you believe it? While it might be true in the short-term, the same does not seem to apply in the long-term. We’ve all forgotten what we went to the fridge for at some point, but we rarely forget important life events or tasks when we’re sober.
Clinical research on this is still minimal and inconclusive. What we do know is that if you learned something sober and are trying to remember it sober, chances are, you won’t have any difficulty. But if you’re trying to remember something you learned while high, you might have some trouble.
STONERS DON’T WORK
And finally, there’s the stereotype that stoners don’t work. Like all we do is sit around and smoke weed all day. But let me tell you something, man. There will always be lazy people who sit around and smoke weed all day. But correlation is not causation!
Just because someone smokes weed doesn’t mean they’re lazy or unmotivated. And with more and more legalization happening, people are becoming more open about their cannabis consumption. Successful and inspirational people are talking about how and when they blaze up, normalizing cannabis consumption in the eyes of the masses.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
So, what can we do to change these stereotypes? First of all, we need to go against every negative feature associated with stoners. If you want to convince the people you love that weed isn’t making you lazy, you’ll have to work extra hard. Not only will you have to prove you’re not lazy, but also how motivated you are. Use cannabis as your motivation, not an excuse.
And keeping up with a healthy routine is key too, man. Although a 4am run to Taco Bell might feel like heaven every once in a while, it’s important to keep a balanced diet on a daily basis and exercise 3 or 4 times a week. People will notice how healthy you look, and your skin and eyes will appear refreshed enough for your mother to surely notice. Plus, you’ll feel amazing, which is always positive.
SMASH THE STIGMA
Although the stoner stigma might be fading away, it’s not completely gone. It’s still up to us to make sure it changes in the way we all hope it will. Just try to be an ideal human and member of society. If you feel you are, no one can blame your cannabis consumption for anything negative going on in your life.
Ultimately, you won’t be able to please everyone as a cannabis user. But as long as you’re living in a way that makes you feel fulfilled and doesn’t hurt those around you, toke on. Keep pushing for change, my fellow stoners. We got this!