Pot and Parenting: Confession of Colorado's Weed-Smoking Moms
When one thinks about a marijuana-user, what comes to mind more often than not are adolescents and young adults with red eyes and a goofy smile on their face. The stereotype of a lazy, distracted, clumsy, tie-dye wearing, munchies-seeking slacker seems to be the consensus amongst those who don't use marijuana. Sometimes, one thinks of hippie, or perhaps other times it is associated with hip-hop culture or rasta culture.
Someone you don't think about when you hear the word "stoner" or "pothead"? Your mother.
However, this may not be the case anymore. The recent legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana in Colorado is indicative of the changing tides on public perception. ABC recently covered a story on women who report using marijuana while being a parent.
Jane West, a mother of two, lives in Denver, Colorado, where recreational marijuana is legal. Instead of finishing a day off with a glass of wine, Jane and her friends choose to partake in the smoking of a joint. She believes that smoking marijuana should be made as socially acceptable as having a glass of wine and is unapologetic about getting high. However, she doesn't believe her kids should see her smoke, and she makes sure to keep weed locked away somewhere out of their reach. Jane also makes it a point to not be high in front of her kids.
As can be expected, the issue of parents smoking marijuana is causing an ethical, and sometimes legal, debate. The question arises as to whether or not one can be a good parent and get high. Accompanied with marijuana-use, and especially when it involves a parent, is the inevitable judgement and backlash from parents and marijuana users alike. Some critics believe parents who smoke pot are putting their kids at risk, and their kids can even be taken away if they are believed to be irresponsible pot smokers. The Denver Department of Human Services told ABC news that a parent's marijuana use is treated no differently than use of other substances, such as alcohol or prescription medication.
Jane and her friends argue that it comes down to tolerance and knowing how much an individual can handle. Similar to alcohol and other substances, it depends on the extent to which it is used. Excessive smoking, like drinking, can be harmful, but moderation can lead to beneficial outcomes. Marijuana carries with it a heavy stigma that is only perpetuated more negatively in the parent community.
Critique of Mainstream Media Article
In some ways, I think this article is great. In others, not so much. Reading about parents smoking marijuana was somewhat of an eye-opener for me, and I was interested to learn more about it since just the the title alone makes me think of the ethical and moral dilemma it implies.
This article serves many purposes. For one, it sheds light on the truth about the population of marijuana users. Stereotypes once associated with "stoners" and "potheads" are dramatically shifting to include the wide demographic. 40% of Americans report trying marijuana at least once, and 20% report using it regularly. Originally, marijuana was associated with ethnic minorities, criminals, and those with deviant behaviors, and has progressed to be indicative of hippie culture or rasta culture, and later of hip-hop culture. As time goes on, the population of users dramatically changes, and it seems to me that now more than ever it is reaching all ages and genders from all walks of life. Further, it sheds light on the increasing leniency on the use of marijuana. I do believe that some regulatory actions, like the removal of kids in parents who excessively smoke marijuana to the point where adequate level of parenting isn't met, are appropriate in the designated scenarios.
In some respects, the arguments made within the article go against themselves. For example, while Jane believes that smoking marijuana should be socially acceptable, she makes sure that her kids are nowhere near weed and she makes sure that she is not high around her kids. This is most likely due to the fact that they are young, but in a sense it weakens her main argument; the heavy stigma associated with marijuana rises from prior teachings and social standards. Moreover, she mentions that smoking marijuana should be as acceptable as a parent drinking, but it really doesn't make a strong case for her point to compare smoking to drinking, which in and of itself brings so many different negative connotations and moral and ethical issues. I believe she is in the right in preventing her kids from smoking or seeing her smoke, but she should educate them properly and not hide it as if it was something bad. The key is proper knowledge based with evidence.
This article opened my eyes to the wider range of marijuana-users than I once thought possible, and highlights the giant strides made in public perception. However, more education based on scientific evidence is needed to truly diminish the stigma and negative connotation associated with marijuana and its users. This article served the purpose of shedding light on a very real topic, but did so in a way that presented a weak case and honestly didn't help "the movement" anymore than it did before.
References
- http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/pot-parenting-confessions-colorados-weed-smoking-moms/story?id=25705177&singlePage=true
Image Sources
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2343868/The-Marijuana-Moms-Beverly-Hills-say-taking-drugs-makes-better-parents.html
- http://cannabisdestiny.com/5-stoner-stereotypes/
I was impressed by your argument and I agree with you: the mother hiding her weed does detract from her assertion that smoking should be accepted. I was also surprised that so many mothers smoke pot, though I suppose I shouldn't be because, as you said, hippies were one of the older demographics listed and they were doing it back in the 60's. I guess now they're all grown up and still partaking!
ReplyDeleteWell, parents smoking marijuana , you don't see that everyday. I think that this sort of behavior has more disadvantages than advantages in it. I do understand that parents just like any one need a space to relax or change the routines but there are plenty of healthy ways to do that like yoga or meditation other than setting and smoking marijuana which can affect both of the person's health and behavior. In addition, the mother in the article can't guarantee that one of her kids won't see her or won't be able to reach it. Kids are unpredictable!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think this article would go against the value of medical marijuana. If the parents use marijuana for only pleasure, this would add more negative stigmas and views toward the medical use of marijuana. People are still negative toward smoking and alcohol as they damage people's health and people around them when using excessively. Therefore, i agree with you that some regulatory actions or laws for marijuana should be put in place to prevent people from secondhand smoking or copying. I wonder why Jane chose marijuana to smoke instead of tobacco or cigarettes. Is it because marijuana is cheaper with no tax imposed on it or is it just a new trend ?
ReplyDeleteMedical Marijuana is a controversial subject across the United States. There are federal laws about marijuana. The federal government has ruled all Weed Online illegal, and does not recognize any medical uses of it. However, there have been many studies done on the subject, and it appears that using marijuana can help people who have certain diseases in certain circumstances.
ReplyDeletebruh are you still alive?
ReplyDelete