4 stoner stereotypes we’ll still hear in 2021

We may have made some huge strides since Cheech & Chong, but there are still some stereotypes of stoners that should really go up in smoke. With cannabis legal in ten countries, research has shown that the problem of lingering stereotypes has nothing to do with legalization. In fact, legalization doesn’t reduce stereotypes at all, according to a study in visual communication. So what is there? Well, mostly media.

Without going into detail about the study’s findings, the biggest finding was that the news machine (read: the conservative news machine) publishes stories about cannabis that are based on stereotypes, especially things like criminal activity. What is important is that they emphasize how charged images reinforce a strong reliance on stereotypes. Both the media and Hollywood have a responsibility to uphold cannabis ethically, but they’re playing it pretty quick and easy right now.

If you identify as a stoner or you grew up in your 90s, you know what I’m talking about.

Times change, however, and so do the media. Here are 4 stoner stereotypes that we will hear in 2021 that are really about to die.

Stoner stereotype 1: Lazy

Yes, cannabis is great for sleeping, and studies have shown that it works well for people with insomnia. Sure, cannabis can be great if you want to watch Netflix all afternoon. That said, it doesn’t really make you lazy.

Colorado University Boulder conducted a study and found that 80 percent of people who use cannabis are actually more motivated to go to the gym, clean their house, or think more clearly at work. While doing these studies, most people responded with, “Weed makes you less anxious, which helps you relax your muscles during exercise and keep you focused on other daily activities.”

Stoner stereotype 2: Uneducated, unsuccessful, unemployed

All types of people use cannabis. The rich, middle-class, famous people and creators of the world. I mean, the richest man in the world openly smoked a blunt. It’s like saying that only unsuccessful people drink alcohol. We know this is not true, so why call people who like to smoke uneducated?

Apple founder Steve Jobs admitted using cannabis. Nobel laureate astronomer, astrophysicist, cosmologist and Pulitzer winner Carl Sagan wrote an article about his findings on cannabis smoking and his support for legalization. Many incredible, successful, and educated people love cannabis and are not afraid to say so.

Many people around the world use cannabis and are very successful in their daily work.

Stoner Stereotype 3: Criminals or Outcasts

Well, that stoner stereotype is perpetuated right through the war on drugs. No, cannabis use does not lead to violent crime. But there is an ideological imperative at play here, mainly to reinforce the idea that all criminalized drugs – and the people who use them – are dangerous. This is a push-pull that has been going on in the media since the days of Harry Aslinger.

However, that stereotype gained some momentum a few years ago, largely due to a paper covered by an irresponsible polemic, Alex Berenson, who tried to link legalization to an increase in violent crime. The problem is that scientists have done a thorough job examining the link between cannabis use and crime and so far have not found one. In fact, there are numerous other studies showing that legalization leads to less violent crime.

Which stoner stereotypes will have to die in 2021? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to follow CLN for the latest news, tips, editorials, and more.