Cannabis culture is a term used to describe a social setting or group of related social activities that heavily rely on the use of cannabis, particularly when it is used as an entheogen, recreational drug, or medicinal.
Cannabis has long been used as an entheogen to promote spiritual experiences, especially in the Indian subcontinent since the Vedic period, which began around 1500 BCE, though it may have started as early as 2000 BCE. In addition to ancient China, the Germanic peoples, the Celts, ancient Central Asia, and ancient Africa, its entheogenic use was documented.
The Rastafari movement of Jamaica is primarily responsible for the plant’s association with spiritual use in modern times. Some Western subcultures, including hippies, beatniks, hipsters (both the 1940s subculture and the contemporary subculture), ravers, and hip hop, contain marijuana use as an eccentric characteristic.
Cannabis now “has its own language, humor, etiquette, art, literature, and music.” Even the act of smoking a joint has rich symbolism, according to Nicholas Brownlee, “maybe because of its ancient mystical and spiritual roots, because of the drug’s psychotherapeutic effects, and because it is illegal.” Yet, considering that cannabis has been used in various forms for approximately 5,000 years, the idea that cannabis is “the manifestation of introspection and bodily passivity” and that its users are “slackers” is a comparatively new one.
The “lazy stoner stereotype” is said to have been debunked by recent research, which was published in the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. According to the study, regular cannabis users were not more likely to be apathetic or anhedonistic than non-users (to experience a loss of interest or pleasure).
The Woodstock Festival was seen as “the pinnacle of the hippie revolution in the USA, and in many people’s opinion the ultimate example of cannabis culture at work,” and has been described as “summarizing the glory years of modern cannabis culture” during the counterculture of the 1960s.
Cannabis has had an impact on holidays (most notably 4/20), the exploitation and stoner film genres, jazz, reggae, psychedelic, and rap music, as well as magazines like High Times and Cannabis Culture. The “Bongcloud Attack” refers to a very dangerous opening move in chess, another aspect of cannabis culture that has influenced the game.
Cannabis In Social Custom.
Jazz was frequently played at the “Teapads” where marijuana was previously sold during Prohibition in the United States. Cannabis use was typically derogatory and despised by most people.
After cannabis became illegal, it was consumed clandestinely. Cannabis was once again tolerated by some regions’ laws decades later. Cannabis smoking has given rise to a number of traditions, such as 420, which is observed on April 20 (4/20) and is called after the most common time of day to ingest the drug (4:20 p.m.). Sharing cannabis with others is encouraged if it is consumed in a social atmosphere.
Use Of Euphemisms.
Subcultures have traditionally utilized euphemisms to describe specific aspects of their culture, and this is especially true for subcultures that surround taboo subjects like cannabis. One of the products with the greatest number of straight euphemisms is cannabis, and there are many more associated aspects of the cannabis culture. The word “420,” one of the most popular cannabis euphemisms, was created in the 1970s, but other expressions date back hundreds of years.
The need for euphemisms was initially due to the drug’s illegality, but Jonathon Green, a slang scholar, suggested that it had become part of the culture as those using the slang terms did not focus on the drug’s legal status, telling Time that coining new slang terms “is also simply fun.” In 2017, various nations and US states decriminalized and legalized cannabis, but more slang terms were still being created.
Researchers hypothesized in 2021 that new euphemisms were still being created in order to get beyond automatic moderation and internet censorship so that members of cannabis subcultures may discuss their use online even while common slang terms were added to forbidden word lists. They also stated that many of the more modern euphemisms were created for this reason, repurposing everyday phrases with neutral meanings since they are less likely to be outlawed (it gave the example of “pot”, though this is older).
The usage of euphemisms and other jargon indicates a person is part of a complex global and regional cannabis subculture, with distinct names used in various places. The argot also contributes to the identity of these subcultures by “provid[ing] socially constructed ways of talking, thinking, expressing, communicating and interacting among marijuana users and distributors. […] These words convey the dynamic expressiveness involved in shared consumption and as a comprehensive communication system among subculture participants.”
Cannabis In The Arts.
Cannabis’ impact and practicality may be seen in a wide range of works because of the psychotropic effects it has on creativity and improved appreciation of the arts, particularly music. While veiled references to cannabis first surfaced in music in the 1920s, such as in Louis Armstrong‘s song “Muggles,” many artists didn’t start mentioning it publicly until the 1960s and 1970s.
At this time, songs like “Got to Get You into My Life” by The Beatles, “Rainy Day Women#12 and 35” by Bob Dylan, and Black Sabbath‘s “Sweet Leaf” became well-known for their lyrics referencing cannabis.
Numerous artists have now spoken out about their drug use and the ways in which it has influenced their works, and they are no longer restricted to any one genre associated with the drug culture. Being the creator of his own marijuana line, vaporizer pen, and website devoted to cannabis culture, Snoop Dogg is well-recognized for his love of marijuana.
Even Willie Nelson, the owner of the cannabis business Willie’s Reserve, has said that smoking helped save his life. For his wholesale brand, Willie’s Reserve Label collaborates with local Colorado farmers, extractors, and food producers. It is known for advocating social reform in the hopes of abolishing marijuana and hemp laws.
Many works of art are created by young artists like Greg Welch using cannabis blossoms and other related materials. Along with other modern musicians, Miley Cyrus, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, Zayn Malik, Wiz Khalifa, Rihanna, and Dave Chappelle have all spoken out about their cannabis use.
In order to uphold Bob Marley‘s legacy, The Marley Family launched Marley Natural in 2016. As a part of Colorado’s cannabis culture, Sonic Tribe Sector 9 has teamed up with Green Dot Labs to produce unique hash pens. The WeedFarm app by Wiz Khalifa, released in 2017, assists users in building their own cannabis brands.
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