Cannabis has been portrayed in popular media for nearly a century now. While many drugs are depicted as enjoyable to watch and fun to learn about, cannabis is one of the least fun things to study due to its common portrayal as a harmful drug.
This article will go into detail about how marijuana has been portrayed throughout the years and how they have addressed contemporary issues, such as public health concerns and legislative changes.
This article will not focus on film or television per-se, but will discuss this article for the sake of this article’s length. This article should not be read alone, but read with an open mind to new perspectives on marijuana.
Film and television are two very important genres that shape our nation’s culture. As we continue to push forward in terminology and legislation for people who need treatment, this influence affects everyone.
Medical marijuana
Medical marijuana has been a topic of discussion for years. There have been many stoner films, documentaries, and television shows that focus on the medical uses of cannabis.
Some of these works have been outstanding, while others have not. Either way, you can’t lose!
Many films and television shows explore the idea of drug use as a lifestyle choice. Some even show people‘s struggles with cannabis addiction, making it more relevant to the average person-the pothead.
The way drugs are portrayed in movies and television can be difficult to do well, however. Sometimes forgetting the serious side of things gets lost in the smoke (or CGI!).
Coming out of the closet
Coming out of the closet is a common depiction of cannabis, largely due to film. Though not the only example, The IT Factor recently featured a segment on television focused on coming out of the closet.
This is a familiar image for many, as gay men often find comfort in cannabis. The image is reinforced by recent films such as American Legion: The Movie and TV shows such as Queer as Folk and Will & Grace, both of which featured cannabis as a central theme.
In American Legion: The Movie, which was released in 2018, two gay men face hard decisions when one discovers he is secretly marijuana-smoking heterosexual. In Will & Grace, which aired from 1998 to 2006 and celebrated its tenth anniversary this year, pot was an important part of both protagonists’ lives.
Both characters were famous for their weed, and both characters struggled with their drug habits.
The green rush
After World War II, a number of legal and illegal drugs became very popular. These include marijuana, LSD, and opium.
In the early 1950s, several movies linked marijuana use with gang life and crime. This was a time when people thought all kinds of things were connected, so these views probably helped promote acceptance of marijuana as well.
These attitudes did not last too long, however, as by the late 1950s and early 1960s, when television was in its early years of existence, acceptance of pot was common. Even in the 1950s and 1960s, most people did not talk about pot publicly or spiritually—only about how it helped make you feel or what effects it had on you physically.
This is probably because at that time being drug-free was a way to get out of hard work or socially speaking, it was viewed as low-class behavior.
Cannabis culture
With the introduction of cannabis in the mainstream in the last decade, the world of film and television has explored its use, effects, and social implications.
Many movies have explored its use and effects, such as hard-core pornography, crime dramas like police shows, and romantic comedies. Some of your more expected genres featuring cannabis include comedy, drama, or both.
A number of popular films have featured positive portrayals of cannabis, including two HBO series which aired over a short period of time: Thelema and The Pot Show.
The Pot Show was a late-1990s animated show about a pot dealer who lived in an underground city below Los Angeles where drugs were traded. It was very controversial when it first aired because it promoted drug trafficking and addiction.
However, after some research, it was found to have positive representations for character development and showed that people could make decisions without negative influences.
Popular culture impacts public opinion
Our culture is filled with stories about everything from superheroes to normal people who face challenges but continue to live and love.
Most of these stories feature positive portrayals of marijuana, so it is not surprising that more people believe in the medical benefits of cannabis. Since many of these stories are popular culture products, they are also introduced to new audiences via film and television.
The use of cannabis is increasing in scientific research and it seems that the more researchers find positive results from it. Many studies report positive results for cannabis in treating suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer, arthritis, MS, │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ dying stages such as chemotherapy or hospice care.
This increase in research has had a positive impact on the public’s perception of marijuana. This article will discuss some common cannabis themes and give some tips on how to represent cannabis on screen and stage.
Movies about cannabis
There’s a reason most movies about drugs focus on the effects and effects of the drug, not on the people who partake.
According to a study conducted by medical marijuana doctors, most people know little to nothing about marijuana as a medication. This is due in part to the stereotypes surrounding weed and drug users, which make it more difficult to portray cannabis as an acceptable drug replacement.
Unfortunately, this can be a big detriment when it comes to determining how much people should or should not use. If people cannot be realistic about their use, then how can they determine if someone is using too much or not?
Unfortunately, this goes into regular usage as well, because if people cannot keep up with their habits, then they will lose money! More importantly, they will suffer from withdrawal symptoms if they discontinue use.
Thusly, it is important that films and television shows about cannabis take this imagery and substance abuse seriously.
Television shows about cannabis
There has been a lot of cannabis-related content on television over the past few years, which is testament to its status as a popular drug.
Many shows have dealt with its use and effects, from entertainment to infomercials. Some of these episodes are very good quality content and informative, while others are just plain fun.
Many people find the aesthetic appeal of cannabis attractive or fun to look at, so television companies have capitalized on that.
Some of the more popular shows about marijuana include The Walking Dead, Fear the Fall, Ash vs. Evil Dead, and Rick And Morty. While none of these shows necessarily depict marijuana in a positive light, they do feature content about it.
This article will take a break break take a look at some of those films and television programs and introduce some key points for your reading sake.
Popular cannabis brands
While the majority of people know about marijuana through cannabis-related films and television shows, more mainstream products such as CBD products are becoming more common.
CBD is a different cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It does not actually change the mind or body, but it does have widespread effects. Some of these include anti-anxiety, stress management, and pain relief.
Since it is nearly impossible to tell whether a plant contains CBD or not without testing it, most brands announce their lack of CBD on the package. This helps protect people from potential adverse effects such as dry mouth or increased tongue flippancy which can cause miscommunication or misunderstanding.
However, there are times when a brand lacks CBD and someone suffering from medical marijuana disease needs it most.
