Date

5-9-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

This study is designed to assess the public opinion of marijuana use among college-aged individuals in Southeastern MA. With changing laws in Massachusetts regarding and surrounding marijuana passed in the November 2016 elections, it is important to understand the feelings and attitudes of those affected. Sixteen qualitative interviews were conducted and analyzed in order to gain insight. Four themes arose: the positive perceptions and normalization of marijuana use, comparisons between alcohol and tobacco with marijuana, the perceptions of tobacco and alcohol as worse than marijuana, and the contradictions of living in the changing norms of marijuana use. There is no consensus of how marijuana makes users feel as a whole, but public perceptions of marijuana are more positive in relation to alcohol and tobacco. Notably, there were few concerns regarding the long-term effects of marijuana use.

Department

Sociology

Thesis Comittee

Kimberly Fox (Thesis Director)

Kim MacInnis

Colby King

Copyright and Permissions

Original document was submitted as an Honors Program requirement. Copyright is held by the author.

Included in

Sociology Commons

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