The widely popular day to “blaze it,” April 20, creates discussion around weed and its pros and cons. Photo By: The Hollywood Reporter.
By Katherine Quezada. Staff Reporter.
April 20th, a national holiday for Cannabis, known as “4/20,” was a dreadful day for some and for others, a day to “pass the joint” with friends. The oncoming skunky, burnt-rope smell of Cannabis is a popular day for weed culture.
Cannabis, popularly used to heighten the mental state and have a euphoric experience, can lead to experiencing hallucinations along with other side effects such as red eyes, poor muscle coordination, or an increased appetite. Regardless of the side effects, some use it for de-stressing and relieving anxiety.
As it was legalized in California for recreational use in 2016, the use of marijuana has become more socially acceptable and is often used for creative purposes to come up with ideas that they normally wouldn’t think of if they were sober. Additionally, some utilize it to help with the pressures of life and to focus on school.
The infamous plant also creates controversy over the use of it and racial bias incarcerating millions. “Let’s Talk Cannabis,” hosted by California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) Black Student Union, held an open discussion challenging the pros and cons of the use of Cannabis and how it specifically affects the Black community.
“Marijuana can help the creative process for some, but it’s also a drug that has criminalized more Black people in comparison to others,” said one student attendee. This is in relation to rappers, singers, visual artists, and numerous individuals with creative avenues added to students. Although it can help people tap into a new side that they never have before, it’s difficult to ignore all the people who are incarcerated for the possession of weed.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) recently found that marijuana arrests consist of over more than half of all drug arrests in the U.S and over eight million arrests from the years 2001 to 2010 were due to the possession of marijuana. Nationally, the study discovered that the common factor between all arrests was racial bias.
Although the participation in the use of Cannabis is about the same throughout all races, Black people are three times more likely to be arrested for marijuana.
“Annual marijuana use has continued to increase over the past five years for college students, reaching the highest level in over three-and-a-half decades in 2020. Among college students, 44% reported using marijuana in the past year in 2020, compared to 38% in 2015,” the National Institutes of Health, a government program under the U.S Department of Human and Health Services, stated.
College students use cannabis at a higher rate today for a variety of reasons. Sometimes students utilize marijuana to help them cope with anxiety, stress, and other pressures of life and school.
For example, weed is helpful when undergoing the stresses of finals season.
“The pressure of exams and final assignments can sometimes make me so anxious I can’t even sleep thinking too much about these projects. Smoking after I’m done with everything for the night, helps me get rest and be prepared for the next day,” a CSUDH junior business major student, who wishes to remain anonymous, said.
A study conducted by the University of Illinois and Chicago State University found that the use of Cannabis can help individuals who experience high levels of stress if they intake a low dosage of THC, the main active ingredient in the plant. This study also found that if the dosage of Cannabis is higher, it increases anxiety.
It has been difficult to measure and research if marijuana is useful or can help individuals because the plant itself is not federally legal.
Only 18 out of the 50 states have made the plant legal, Illinois being one of them, which is how the universities conducted their study.
A sophomore Africana Studies student, who didn’t want their name disclosed, shared that there are benefits to using weed when you’re trying to focus on school work. “Sometimes when work needs your focus, weed helps you get that tunnel vision and finish what you have to.”
A plant that was made legal for recreational use six years ago in Calif. continues to be controversial, evoking different opinions among all people. And although it’s a cause for debate, for some students at CSUDH, it proves to be an important part of dealing with their school and life. Some studies may differ from the personal opinions of how Cannabis is helpful, but more research must be conducted to truly understand the infamous plant.
If you are interested in a more in-depth discussion surrounding Cannabis, as well as both its benefits and disadvantages, please listen to my podcast that includes an additional CSUDH student sharing their personal experiences.
