Today and the Future

Deviance is in the Eye of the Beholder

Today marijuana is widely accepted among most people in today’s society, “many groups consider marijuana use as deviant, although others condone and even encourage it. As one marijuana smoker put it: ‘Even though it is not the norm of society, enough people do it to make it acceptable.’ (Cinard)” According to the DEA, “Marijuana is the most widely abused and readily available illicit drug in the United States, with an estimated 11.5 million current users. At least one third of the U.S. population has used marijuana sometime in their lives. The drug is considered a ‘gateway’ to the world of illicit drug abuse. Relaxed public perception of harm, popularization by the media and by groups advocating legalization, along with the trend of smoking marijuana filled cigars known as ‘blunts’ contribute to the nationwide resurgence in marijuana’s popularity.” (U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, 2004) It may be that we are headed to legalizing marijuana on a federal level. 

1980's through current

Medical Use Legalized 

In 1986, the laws and regulation shifted to protect the individual user and come down harsh on distributors.  When caught with the marijuana one was charged on the amount in possession not strictly the drug itself. With each conviction of possession sticker and harsher consequences followed. In the earlier 90’s began to rise again after it had been on a steady decline. In 1996 medical use was legalized in the state of California, other states followed suit. By 2006 twelve additional states passed similar legislation. Clearly, the United States has been back and forth about their opinion on the appropriate use of marijuana. It seems the current trend in the United States is that medical use of the drug is not deviant, nor is personal recreational use; yet mass distribution of the drug is still highly criminalized. This alludes to the idea the deviance is largely dependent on the current views of society which are constantly shifting.

1970's

Highs Time or Low Times

In the 1970’s the strict sentencing laws of the 1950’s were repealed. They seemed to do nothing to control or lessen usage and were unreasonably harsh. During this time “The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act categorized marijuana separately from other narcotics and eliminated mandatory federal sentences for possession of small amounts.” The Shafer Commission under the Nixon administration determined that marijuana used for personal reason should be decriminalized. Nixon rejected the recommendation but throughout the 1970’s eleven states followed the recommendations and others reduced their penalties.  Such a climate allowed for the foundation of “High Times,” a magazine which focused primarily on marijuana. Although penalties associated to marijuana use were becoming more relaxed and its use more socially acceptable, in the late 1970’s a parent’s movement began to gain momentum. They desired to see stricter regulations and prevention measures taken to avoid the drug’s use among teenagers. This movement had an effect on the public a help lead to the 1980’s war on drugs. Society definition of marijuana use in terms of deviance seemed to be moving in two different directions.

1950's and 1960's

Stricter Sentencing

Regardless of the research found by The New York Academy of Medicine and the “Hemp for Victory” program the 1950’s brought with it stricter sentencing laws regarding the illegal use and possession of marijuana. “A first offense marijuana possession carried a minimum sentence of 2 to 10 years with a fine up to $20,000.” Even with strict sentencing law American use of marijuana was on the rise. In 1960 the political and cultural climates became more relaxed. The Kennedy and Johnson Administration commission reports whose results were similar to the study done by The New York Academy of Medicine. “Marijuana use did not induce violence nor lead to use of heavier drugs.” Such lenient attitudes in administration may have contributed to the increase and widespread use of the drug in the upper middle class. 

1940's

Hemp for Victory 

In the 1940’s, during World War II, hemp was a great commodity and used in the production of many military necessities which were becoming scare. The U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a “Hemp for Victory” Campaign. The government agency strongly encouraged growth of help. They would provide seeds and drafting deferment to those who agreed to farm the plant. The society standard was grow, grow, grow, but do not even dare to smoke it. Yet research conducted by The New York Academy of Medicine found that “use of marijuana did not induce violence, insanity, or sex crimes, or lead to addiction or other drug use.” Growing Marijuana was not was not at all deviant but using it recreationally was continually becoming more and more deviant even thou the research showed mixed results. 

1930's

Reefer Madness 


During the Great Depression of the 1930’s unemployment greatly increased and contributed to the growing resentment of Mexican immigrants. As the resentment of the newcomers grew so did the resentment and fear of their culture. Marijuana use was beginning to gain the attention of government officials. Such concern “instigated a flurry of research which linked the use of marijuana with violence, crime and other socially deviant behaviors, primary committed by ‘racially inferior’ or underclass communities. By 1931, 29 states had outlawed marijuana.”  Shortly after, in 1932, the Uniform State Narcotic Act was establish which wasn’t federal mandated but “strongly encouraged state government to accept responsibility for controlling of problem by adopting the Uniform State Narcotic Act.” During the 30’s a French film director produced “Reefer Madness,” a propaganda film which later lead The Motion Picture Association of American to prohibit the showing of any films the included narcotic use. In 1937, congress passed the marijuana tax act which “criminalized marijuana, restricting possession of the drug to individuals who paid an excise tax for certain authorized medical and industrial uses.” Clearly by the end of the 1930’s laws, policies, and regulations establish by the American society deemed recreational marijuana use as extremely deviant but its use for medical treatment and product production was still acceptable.

Early 1900's

Immigrants recreational use of marijuana leaf

After the Mexican Revolution many Mexicans entered into the United States and brought with them there culture of marijuana use in recreation. There were strong prejudices against the newcomers and the same prejudices were carried over to their use of marijuana. The United States society began to label and associate with crimes committed by Mexicans.