Sunday, September 25, 2011

Becoming a Pot Smoker

In class, we read an article called “Becoming a Marihuana User”, by Howard S. Becker. This article teaches readers how to become a pot smoker. Apparently, there is more to being a pot smoker than just smoking pot. There is a complex social structure that comes with it. Being a pot head is the result of a series of social experiences, such as learning how to properly smoke, and learning to enjoy being high. In the article, Becker explains that most pot users that he interviewed reported that they did not get high the first time they smoked. The article explained that many of the people who didn’t get high the first time didn’t smoke again, because they didn’t enjoy it. Others, after learning how to properly smoke, stop because they dislike the feeling of being high. Still others learn how to enjoy the feeling of being high, and therefore become pot users. The article also explained that users do not become addicted to the drug; they become ‘addicted’ to the feeling of being high. Users also become ‘addicted’ to the community and friendship that comes with using marijuana. After reading this article, I realized that those kids from high school, that always seemed to be high, or looking to get high, weren’t actually addicted to the pot, but to the feeling of being high, and the sense of community it provided. They do enjoy the feeling of being high, but what really keeps them coming back is the friendship and the bonds that are made while getting high. Without being around others who smoke pot, no one would want to become a pot smoker, or even know how to properly smoke. For the people who were lucky enough to learn to properly smoke, and enjoy the feeling, there is absolutely nothing wrong with smoking pot and getting high. It is what they have become accustom to; it is part of their culture.

4 comments:

  1. I agree with this idea that smoking pot really does tie to the sense of community and friendship felt when people smoke. I've never really heard of someone just up and deciding they want to smoke marijuana by themselves without ever having tried it, nor have I ever seen someone smoking a bong alone. Most people I know that have smoked pot were introduced to it while hanging out with friends. And when this experience is connected with a good high, I can see the sort of social addiction formed, unlike that of other physically addicting drugs.

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  2. I also agree since when you do see a so called pot head, they are almost always in a group with other stoners. The idea of community makes so much sense here since they all listen to certain music, watch certain movies and all seem to have a certain dress code. To get high and discuss all of these make them feel so bonded to each other that they continue to smoke so they can become better friends, in essence.

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  3. I cannot agree more with that pot smokers make up a extremely close group. It is hard to see there is someone smoking alone himself but always a group of people, just like a community. And later they become even close friends since they find out that smoking is not the only thing they share. Fashion, politics and every topic which could be gossiped become factors to reinforce their friendship. Maybe that is their culture or I should say, the spirit of this community.

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  4. I always hear how much fun and how great it feels to be high, but I'm never willing to do it. I don't feel like its a part of me to accept myself smoking pot. However I do agree that pot smokers form close groups because one always see pot smoking friends connect to one another with so much loyalty and chillness that it makes people jealous sometimes. On the other hand the same can be said bout non smoker groups of friends.

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