Psychedelic substances with psychotropic effects are wreaking havoc around the world. As a result, countries—particularly the United States (a hub for this illicit trade)—are beginning to wake up to the reality of the situation. As of the latest reports, cannabis was still on the list of major banned substances. However, public opinion is gradually shifting. Cannabis is now being viewed in a completely new light. People are now more tolerant of cannabis than of other controversial substances such as alcohol, tobacco, or opioids. This is a surprising shift, given cannabis’s troubled start in its early days, but it paves the way for potential global recognition of cannabis.
How is cannabis perceived?
As the United States gradually begins to open up to cannabis, the American public is close to approving its official and regulated use. Drastic changes are already taking place in many states. Recreational and medical cannabis have been approved by state legislators, subject to certain conditions and strict regulations. Negative publicity and anecdotal rumors about the dangers of cannabis are now a thing of the past. A new chapter is beginning, and cannabis has regained favor among the American public. Some media outlets even argue that cannabis is viewed more favorably than opioids and other controversial substances such as alcohol.
This shift in perspective is not trivial, since even the scientific community has examined the issue. Scientific studies and research on the subject are piling up by the dozens, and most of them reach the same conclusion. It turns out that experiments conducted on the plant have proven that cannabis is significantly safer than the other substances mentioned earlier. They do not imply that cannabis is harmless or that there is zero risk. However, they suggest that the level of danger and addictiveness is significantly lower. More specifically, vaping cannabis is hypothetically less toxic than smoking tobacco.
See here for research conducted by the COPD Foundation.
The Impact of Institutions on the Image of Cannabis
It is important to note that despite some states’ openness to the use of certain cannabis derivatives in medical and recreational settings, doubts have always persisted. This is because the involvement of recognized and reliable organizations has completely changed the initial paradigm. In fact, renowned institutions such asthe APA have participated in the process of normalizing cannabis in the United States. They conducted statistical surveys of a large study population. Over the course of an entire year, they gathered essential information on people’s behavior and opinions regarding cannabis. At the same time, they carried out the same data-collection process for various psychotropic substances that are most widely known to the general public.
To obtain more meaningful, relevant, and realistic results, they recruited a large sample of 2,000 volunteers for the social experiment. To everyone’s surprise, the experiment raised awareness about the dangers and catastrophic impacts of using psychoactive substances such as alcohol and tobacco.
Starting that day, a massive public awareness campaign was launched to inform people about the tragic and chaotic consequences of the vicious cycle of addiction to psychedelic substances. In the study, cannabis is not listed as a hard drug. The plant is even portrayed as a product that, while certainly carrying risks, is relatively harmless. These studies are good examples of the root causes behind changing attitudes.
Presentation and Interpretation of the Study Conducted by the APA
The study conducted by the APA is not intended to praise cannabis as a miracle cure or a harmless product. The study is primarily intended to raise awareness about the horrors of addiction in all its forms, whether it involves tobacco, opioids, or social media.
To be more precise with the numbers, more than 2,201 samples were carefully examined to validate the experiment. The researchers personally interviewed participants about their opinions regarding psychoactive substances and their actual behaviors (use) in everyday life. Following this survey, a major awareness campaign will be launched.
To the researchers’ surprise, there is a huge discrepancy between the actual behavior of the respondents and their opinions on the substances in question. As expected, a significant proportion—60%—of respondents are convinced that cannabis is both dangerous and highly addictive. However, 20% of those same respondents use it on a daily basis. It is also worth noting that three-quarters of respondents are against tobacco use, yet 30% of them are regular smokers.
The most striking finding concerns the statistics gathered on participants’ views regarding opioids. In fact, respondents are more likely to take opioids without hesitation than to smoke cigarettes. This is all the more surprising given the reports of adverse effects and overdoses regularly published in the media. The researchers also found that addiction rates were significantly higher in the technology sector than in the cannabis sector. The study also highlighted the compassion people feel toward those addicted to these substances. Public opinion thus appears to recognize that addiction is a psychological condition that is entirely treatable.
Ultimately, contrary to what one might think, attitudes toward cannabis have indeed changed, and more people believe that its use should be a given. Experience has also shown the importance of raising public awareness about the dangers of addiction.
Is cannabis a plant that is less harmful to health?
According to the study conducted by the APA, cannabis ranks far behind opioids, tobacco, and alcohol on the list of the most harmful and addictive substances. Curiously, much of the research has focused on something that, at first glance, seems harmless and trivial, yet can have devastating effects. That something is, quite simply, technology. It is a double-edged sword that can be both an indispensable ally and a formidable enemy.
According to the study, nearly all of the respondents believe that the technology poses no health risks. However, a significant number of the participants say it is addictive, and addiction often leads to psychological problems.
Technology is inseparable from our lives. It is indispensable, but unfortunately, we overuse it. With opioids, tobacco, and alcohol, it is very easy to spot the signs of addiction. The symptoms and manifestations are physical and tangible. Everyone can see them, and it is difficult to break free from them. In the case of technology, it is much more complex. The symptoms are hard to detect and can easily be misunderstood. Yet the effects of this addiction touch every aspect of life and lead to problematic behaviors: isolation, anxiety, apathy, stress…
Therefore, raising public awareness about this hidden scourge lurking in the shadows is far more pressing than addressing the hypothetical dangers of cannabis. We need to reassess our priorities and develop effective programs.
Conclusion
The battle is not yet won for cannabis advocates. While the APA has helped raise awareness about the issue of addiction, a reversal of this stance cannot be ruled out. Indeed, cannabis critics also influence this perception. And this is where scientific research and studies play a crucial role in the normalization of cannabis-derived products, CBD, and their widespread use.
According to initial interpretations of the survey, the conflation of cannabis with hard drugs is gradually beginning to fade. The American public is more inclined to accept the idea that cannabis could be a reliable solution for the future in many aspects of social life. One positive trend is that more and more people believe cannabis is already less dangerous than many psychoactive substances, such as alcohol and opioids. While this may seem insignificant at first glance, it is actually a major step forward on the path to cannabis legalization. Thus, in the long term, lawmakers may also change their stance and consider enacting new laws to regulate cannabis use.
As perceptions change, the impact on policy and legislation cannot be ignored. An increasingly educated public and a more positive perception of cannabis could lead to voter-backed legalization initiatives and open new doors for regulated use. To bring about this future, ongoing efforts are needed to educate people about both the benefits and the risks of cannabis.
