Marijuana has a lot of prejudice against it, people are often categorized into absent minded, low class, criminals of a sort, but why? Here are a couple of articles pertaining to the topic:
http://sbstatesman.com/2014/03/11/the-societal-prejudice-against-marijuana/
http://www.thecannabist.co/2014/11/26/rastafari-religion-marijuana-prejudice/21509/
The first article starts of by discussing the parallels/similarities between alcohol and marijuana, and the hypocrisy of it all. The author than goes on to discuss the various judgements people have against marijuana, and the reasons why these people think these things. I feel as though this quote sums up the message of the article well, "The judgment that marijuana is the friend of the apathetic loser, like other attitudes, is narrow-minded. Do you think that marijuana abuse is the only thing that will keep someone from holding down a job?" In reality many hard working, successful, driven individuals partake in consuming marijuana. Believing in the fallacy that all people who smoke marijuana become useless, hippie, losers is just plain ignorant.
The second article discusses the unjust prejudice of people in the Rastafarian culture. The article states that, "Outside of reggae music and pot smoking, mainstream society is mostly ignorant of the rich and eclectic history of this Hebrew-Caribbean hybrid of faith and culture." They go on to discuss the many problems with how these people are and have been treated, even in countries like Jamaica, stating that "Jamaica was a colony, and it was always believed that the practices of Rastafarian's were thought to disturb the order of those in charge. And a lot of the laws that were aimed at repressing (the poor) remain on the books today."
The fact of the matter is, is that people who consume marijuana are often treated differently or poorly because of this. Much like any other forms of prejudice, like through religious beliefs, skin color, etc. people who consume marijuana are need to be treated fairly, and have their basic human rights accounted for. Hopefully as time passes people will become more and more aware of this pressing issue.
http://sbstatesman.com/2014/03/11/the-societal-prejudice-against-marijuana/
http://www.thecannabist.co/2014/11/26/rastafari-religion-marijuana-prejudice/21509/
The first article starts of by discussing the parallels/similarities between alcohol and marijuana, and the hypocrisy of it all. The author than goes on to discuss the various judgements people have against marijuana, and the reasons why these people think these things. I feel as though this quote sums up the message of the article well, "The judgment that marijuana is the friend of the apathetic loser, like other attitudes, is narrow-minded. Do you think that marijuana abuse is the only thing that will keep someone from holding down a job?" In reality many hard working, successful, driven individuals partake in consuming marijuana. Believing in the fallacy that all people who smoke marijuana become useless, hippie, losers is just plain ignorant.
The second article discusses the unjust prejudice of people in the Rastafarian culture. The article states that, "Outside of reggae music and pot smoking, mainstream society is mostly ignorant of the rich and eclectic history of this Hebrew-Caribbean hybrid of faith and culture." They go on to discuss the many problems with how these people are and have been treated, even in countries like Jamaica, stating that "Jamaica was a colony, and it was always believed that the practices of Rastafarian's were thought to disturb the order of those in charge. And a lot of the laws that were aimed at repressing (the poor) remain on the books today."
The fact of the matter is, is that people who consume marijuana are often treated differently or poorly because of this. Much like any other forms of prejudice, like through religious beliefs, skin color, etc. people who consume marijuana are need to be treated fairly, and have their basic human rights accounted for. Hopefully as time passes people will become more and more aware of this pressing issue.