The Deviance of Marijuana Smokers Marijuana smokers were once considered regular members of society. In 1937 all that changed when marijuana was banned and made illegal. The smokers were labeledas deviants from then on. I studied marijuana smokers and discussed their deviance. Iwould like to see whether they are ordinary members of society or deviants. I want toanswer the question, “is marijuana smoking a deviant behavior?”I answered my research question through the data I collected. The methods I used were, questions, surveys, and observation. I first interviewed marijuana smokers.I asked them questions about their smoking behavior, and also found out about theirviews and opinions. I collected data from nonsmokers as well, by asking them similarquestions about the deviance of marijuana. Next I observed the smokers in action. I knew this would help me to better understand them. I was openly accepted and allowed to observe them. I played the role of researcher and as I later found out, as a friend.The data gave me insight into my research question because I got information from thesmokers themselves as well as those who oppose them.The results from my data were quite an experience. From my questions I found out that marijuana smokers do not consider themselves deviants. They defendthemselves by saying that they do not hurt anyone and that they do nothing wrong.This technique of neutralization is called denial of injury. They emphasize the medicinal values of marijuana, saying it can do some good to society. One said,“we are seen as losers, rejects of society.” In reality anyone can be a smoker, a friend, relative, or even your neighbor. When they come across a fellow smoker, they see a friend they can relate to. They do not treat fellow smokers differently.They are however treated differently, sometimes negatively, when nonsmokers findout about their habits. Nonsmokers see marijuana smoking as a deviant be...
