Introduction
Substance abuse such as alcohol usage, tobacco smoking as well as others has been on mass media over the last two decades. Some of the popular mass media platforms where substance abuse is common nowadays may include music industry, TV series and now it has been rampant in the movie industry. American movie industry’s exposure on marijuana usage in on the rise as the USA government stand against the issue is changing every moment. This has facilitated the rise in usage of marijuana in movies such as Pineapple Express and Requiem For A Dream as well as others.
Thesis statement
Therefore, analyzing the situation would lead to establishing the main justification of how protagonists in American movie industry manage to embrace the use of marijuana which is highly influenced by the conspiracy that the government supports its usage hence making marijuana consumption more common than in any other major industry films (Balio 394).
Thesis question
How these protagonists in American movie industry manage to embrace the use marijuana relying on the conspiracy that the government supports its usage hence making marijuana consumption more common than in any other major industry films?
Movies that came out in last two decades
Most movies in America that were released in the last two decades have exposed the use of marijuana usage. Some commentators argue that the increasing number of movies produced in the last two decades have greatly influenced many teens into marijuana usage. For instance, some studies have unveiled that in the year 1900; only 2 to 5 percent of the people in entire population were drug addicts. This was as a result of the fact that less people were exposed on the marijuana usage in America. Moreover, in those years media exposure on marijuana or any other illicit drug was prohibited as well as regulated something that ensured that the influence on prohibited drug consumption was effectively limited. Statistics reveals that in 1900 there were less drug addicts in America compared to the 1960 or today. The main idea behind was because many movies prohibited on the consumption of the drug as they displayed on the negative effects of marijuana rather than the anticipated positive effects of its usage. In addition, marijuana in those days was strictly used for medical purposes unlike nowadays where many people use for their pleasures purposes (American Doctoral Dissertations 420).
Many studies have proven that the use of illicit drugs among adolescent and children in America is very common nowadays. This is because of the many movies produced over the last two decades supporting the usage of marijuana for people’s pleasure. Many commentators claim that marijuana exposure among the teens is worrying since such movies lure them into taking the drug. Over half of the citizens in U.S. have or will experiment the usage of these illicit drugs commonly by using marijuana where at least a third of these people will continue using the marijuana on a regular basis. For instance, Ed, External Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Chemical hunger, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Fast Times at Ridgemont High among others are some of the favorite movies that incorporates the usage of marijuana which lure the audience. Therefore, film or movie exposure to marijuana has provoked the usage of the drug among many teens than adults something that sends alarming warning to the government. However, it is not clear as to which extent has the movies exposure on marijuana contributed to the usage of the same drug among movie watchers (American Journal of Public Health 40).
The way marijuana consumption is currently presented in various movies especially those produced in the last two decades is totally parallel to the roles it should it used to play in the past years especially in the 1900. In most cases, marijuana was commonly used for medical purposes but nowadays it is being displayed as comic relief especially by many baby boomers who in the 1960s relied it for the medication reasons. Additionally, many movies currently put the wrong notion about marijuana consumption in the audience minds such as it promotes romantic tensions, it does make a person sleepy, it prevents cures many sicknesses among other notions. This move may always lure audience into consuming such a destructive drug. These movies never show the wrong side or effects of unregulated usage of the drug hence causing mayhem among the users.
Some commentators believe that marijuana in movies is purposely being advertised in a move to win many consumers or users in a plot to force the government to legalize it. Over the past few years, the legalization of marijuana in America has taken place in several states across America such as California and Colorado. Some movies put it forth that marijuana consumption usage for recreational purpose is very beneficial for a person’s development. Information released by the National Drug Control Policy revealed that marijuana usage is greatly portrayed by the media especially film among others. Out of the 200 popular movies released between the year 1996 and 1997, 22% of these movies referenced the usage of the illicit drugs among them marijuana. This serves as strong evidence that movies have played a significant role on the exposure of marijuana usage among teens in America. This adequately explains the reason why the number of marijuana users is increasing than any other illicit drug in America (Markert 35).
The Protagonists
Many protagonists support the usage of marijuana in the American movie industry due various reasons which are tied to the different characters that participate in the shooting or production of the entire film. Many protagonists argue that the use of marijuana will shape up the performance and character of the participants in a certain movie. For instance, many American movies put forth that the use of marijuana is healthy and thus people should try it for the many benefits it carries. However, this is not the case since many people who have ever consumed marijuana in real life end up experiencing the negative side of the drug. For instance, in the movies Walk hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Strange Wildness, Extract, Van Wilder: Freshman Year and Pineapple Express shows the blatant misrepresentation of the side effects of the use of marijuana among people across America. These movies theme is lure the viewers to consider the usage of marijuana as vital both mentally and physically.
Many protagonists argue that consumption of the illicit drug will enable them edge off as well as calming them down. For instance, many popular movies or film actors are known to use marijuana. D-Fens in the movie Falling down take marijuana chill his tension out Dr. Bruce Banner in the movie Hulk takes marijuana to enable him to avoid killing the innocent civilians. Therefore the consumption of marijuana in such movies is believed to enable the audience discover the real importance of the drug. Many protagonists especially celebrities in movie industries, music and popular media source incorporate the usage of the drug for a purpose. This move has influenced the celebrity’s followers support the move to use marijuana even in movies.
Some commentators argue that a lot of these protagonists usually support the use of marijuana in the American movie industry because they have a motive of enlightening people on the importance of using marijuana in real life. Therefore, most of them always volunteer in taking up those sections with consumption of marijuana in order for them to convince their followers to use the drug. Even though they will argue that marijuana usage has much medical importance, they will tend to use it in reaction purposes. American marijuana activists such as Chris Iverson is known to have spend a lot of years toiling for marijuana or ganja legalization in places such Portland. Therefore, many protagonists target the movie industry because they know that many people love watching movies and thus they are likely to reach as many audiences as possible. Due to protagonists support as well as appearances in these movies, many audiences are likely to be lured into the usage of marijuana. Many commentators claim that the legalization of marijuana is greatly influenced by these protagonists as well as their supporters. Most of these movies usually feature male protagonists because they are regarded as well-meaning and sexual frustrated as well. However, there are some female protagonists who are nowadays featured in these popular movies such as Smiley Face (Allhoff, Dale and Rick 181).
Some proponents claim that decriminalizing the usage of marijuana will free billions of cash or dollars normally used to sue the prosecutors. Moreover, the sale of marijuana seems to generate a lot of dollars to the economy of America. In these movies, the protagonists will actually appear rich due to selling the drug. This aims at enabling the government legalize it as it may be a major contributor of the economy in America. Protagonists argue that marijuana users are not criminals since they tend to please themselves. However, this may not be the case since when the drug is abused it can cause massive damages to the user as well as the people around him or her. Some people feel that it will be much appropriate if the drug is only used for medical purposes only and not recreational purposes. In the movie Savage, John Travolta who is displayed as a corrupt federal anti-drug officer seems contended with the usage of marijuana in his own country. This is clearly portrayed in big cities such as New York and Chicago where police have been directed not to arrest any person with a small amount of the drug.
Popularity of these movies
Popular movies where the usage of marijuana is common may include Walk hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Strange Wildness, Extract, Van Wilder: Freshman Year and Pineapple Express. These movies present the positive side of the drug usage which always lures the viewers into the usage of the drug in real life. Many people will only consider the medication importance of the drug while ignoring the many negative effects it brings. Most of these movies have a high level of rating and thus many viewers or audiences always view such films consistently something that tricks them into using the drug (Allhoff, Dale and Rick 181). Some studies have revealed that the depiction of marijuana use in films is as old as the movie industry itself in America. The use of marijuana in movies started immediately after its usage spread from Mexico to USA during 1920s and thus its popularity began. It was featured in popular movies such as The Cloud Rider produced in the year 1925 and High on the Range in 1929.
Most of these popular movies have certain themes and elements in common which include authority figures, comical inept, parents, friends, security guards and even law enforcers. These facts make these movies even popular since protagonists do the unthinkable and despise the policies laid by the government by consuming the illicit drug. When audience views such movies, they tend to think that the government actually supports the usage of cannabis and thus lure them into usage. In some movies, a conspiracy is developed unveiling the government’s approval on the usage of such drugs. It appears that these movies are greatly watched in those states that have not legalized marijuana compared to the few that have legalized it.
It is clear that popular movies have an impact since many teens watch and even practice what they have seen in such films. Additionally, the words used in such popular movies also have a great impact since many of the words are intended to lure the audience or watchers of the movies into using the drug. The main themes in these movies are the positive side of using marijuana and not the dark side of the drug since the protagonists knows that the dark or negative side will always outweigh the positive side. Parents are advised to be very attentive to what their children watch, hear and even do since it might affect them negatively. For instance, in the movie Savage, it is surrounded by violence, sexual activities and other activities which are seemingly harmful for young audience. It is clear that the consumption of the drug moderately is considered as safer than taking alcohol or tobacco (Rätsch 108).
US drug policies
US drug policies usually prohibit the usage of the drug whether in the movies or in real life. Despite implementing strict regulations and policies, many people are still using the illicit drug. Most of these users take the drug for enjoyment purposes or out of imitation especially after viewing movies showing marijuana usage. However, these policies seem dormant since many people across USA use the marijuana openly. Even though there are some states across America that have allowed and even legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes, many people use this advantage to abuse the drug. Many people tend to believe that marijuana has positive effects since it has been legalized and thus abuse it (Miller 2). Recent statistics reveals that over a half of people arrested over drug issues by the law enforcers in America are cases related to marijuana. In addition, it is unveiled that at least 90% of those arrested over marijuana usage usually possess mere portions of the drug.
The usage of drug states such as Florida can cost a person a jail term of about a year for just possessing 20 grams or even less than an ounce. In 1900s up to date, marijuana has been strictly allowed for medical purposes and anybody would use it for recreational purposes. Currently, in some states in America the government has legalized marijuana usage and thus marijuana outlets are publicly selling the drug. Some of these states may include Colorado, California, Alaska, Ohio, New York, Mississippi, Nebraska and Orlando among others. This trend only implies that in about a period of ten years from now, marijuana usage will be legal all through American states since in every state there are debates on whether it should be legalized or not. Over a half of the American population is advocating for it to be legalized and thus increment on the number of users in recorded. Many commentators argue that marijuana may be a legal drug in America in a period of less than ten years since many people are advocating for its legalization approval (Scientific American 141).
After major consultation States governments across America are now observed to loosen up on the strictly policies they had amended on the past years since many people across the states are using it despite on the fact that it is illegal. Many studies have revealed that the main reason behind the legalization of marijuana is its medical advantage. Many leaders in these states are aware of many health complication it cures and even prevent hence moving ahead and legalizing the drug. Due to the high demand for the drug, these leaders are forced to sign in bills to legalize the drug usage without considering the negative effects. Colorado in considered as the first state to legal the recreational uses of marijuana or cannabis. On February 2013, the same state debated on Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act aimed at decriminalizing marijuana on the federal level. This move would remove regulation put forth to ensure that marijuana usage is not regulated like alcohol consumption across the state. This implies that in years to come, American might be using marijuana without any regulations or strict policies.
Summary
In a nutshell, media has contributed to the rampant use of the drug across America. Whether legal or illegal in the state in which it is being consumed, many people tend to acquire such behaviors from popular movies which always lure the audience into the consumption of the drug. Moreover, media pushes marijuana users to violate the government polices on the consumption of marijuana. The government usually legalizes marijuana for medical purposes but people tend to misuse these policies.
It is clear that movies are in the frontline in luring people into consuming marijuana in America. However, many people only consider the positive impact of the drug forgetting that if it is abused it can be very harmful. Many protagonists in these movies also play a major role in luring or convincing their followers or audience into consuming the drug. They have managed to influence a bigger audience which has raised concerns over the legalization of marijuana. Parents are therefore advised to make sure they regulate what their kids view, hear and even do since it may affect them negatively. Usage of marijuana in the movie industry is seen the main catalyst as many people are lured into its consumption just because they watched movies were it was used. In the 1900, the usage of marijuana was lower compared to today since media has exposed the drug publicly. In the near future, the consumption of marijuana in America will be fully legalized since many states are on talks or debates to legalize the drug.
Works Cited
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Markert, John. Hooked in Film: Substance Abuse on the Big Screen. , 2013. Internet resource.
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