The Pot Project: An Ethnography of the Marijuana Culture at UMWKatie Knoop & Mary Cornell
Methods
7 in-depth face to face interviews, 1 phone interview: 4 females, 4 males All students enrolled at UMW Ages between 21-23 years old All Caucasian Half smoke relatively frequently (at least 4-6
times a week) Half only on occasion (3-4 times a month)
1 participant observation: 4/20 16 students: 5 males, 11 females
Research Question(s)
Does marijuana use influence the college experience at UMW? How?
Are there notable sociological distinctions within this population that smoke?
How do preconceived notions of marijuana use affect social behaviors and academic productivity within college populations?
Major Themes
Smoking creates a platform for socializing; most students interviewed preferred to smoke in a group setting
Men on average are more comfortable with marijuana than women at UMW
Marijuana use does not hinder productivity in academic and/or community involvement
Social Platform
“I only smoke with other people, so I wouldn’t think of myself as a ‘pothead’”- Subject J (male)
4/20 as a holiday for the marijuana subcultureCommunity bonding: provides a perceived
judgment-free space for interactionSymbolism of passing a bowl: no sense of
ownership, “everyone can have a toke whether they paid for it or not” –Subject N (male)
Gender Dynamic “I almost prefer smoking to drinking because I have better
control over my body and actions. It’s more relaxing and it enhances ordinary things”- Subject J (male)
“The improvement in quality of life is worth the potential repercussions. It improves daily activities; cleaning a bathroom high is a lot better than cleaning a bathroom sober” –Subject H (male)
“Smoking is not a cool, credible thing to do. It’s immature, and something people only want to do because it’s taboo” – Subject Na (female)
“I’m very uncomfortable after smoking, I feel vulnerable, like everything I say and do is being monitored” –Subject L (female)
Academic/Community Involvement
Six subjects are employed along with being full time students
Five subjects actively participate in extracurricular activities
The majority of subjects take their academic career very seriously
“I smoke when I have time. School takes first priority right now, but if it’s the weekend and nothings going on I’d definitely bring out the bowl” –Subject A (female)
4/20 Participant Observation
Someone comments “welcome to the mist” as another joins the scene
Pot Luck Dinner where everyone brings something to eat and smoke
Communal sharing in a comfortable spaceTwo blunts were passed around in opposite
directions while the HBO show Game of Thrones was playing
Economy of dignity within the cannabis subculture
The End
Questions?Comments?Concerns?
