Pot: sedated loser melting into the couch. Weed: rebellious teens, it’s just a phase. Marijuana: a nicer way to say weed. Cannabis: the real, scientific name for the green, psychoactive bud that is beginning to break free from its negative connotations. 

On Nov. 7, 2023, Ohio passed historic Issue 2, which legalized recreational cannabis use for adults over the age of 21. 

This legalization, which was more than 60 years in the making, comes at an extremely polarizing time in American history where issues such as women’s rights, immigration, foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ rights are creating a divide not only in our two-party system, but also between generations. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, American cannabis use has “more than doubled” in the past 10 years, all while these fundamental issues are being challenged in Congress, drawing a parallel between now and the counterculture movement of the ‘60s and ‘70s. 

Societal shifts are supported by substances that open the mind and help develop new ideas. 

Cannabis was a vital thread in the counterculture movement during the ’60s and ’70s, acting not only as a driver for social change but also as a potent symbol of rebellion and defiance of the system that needed to change. The Women’s Liberation Movement, the Civil Rights Movement and anti-war demonstrations created a divide between generations. Cannabis was a crucial symbol of that divide. It was viewed by changemakers as a symbol of freedom from the conventional culture that they were raised in; not only for the simple fact that it was frowned upon, but also for its ability to foster creativity and expand consciousness. 

President Richard Nixon’s 1970 war on drugs suppressed the counterculture movement by declaring cannabis as a “Schedule 1” drug, equating cannabis to hard drugs such as heroin. Yet, the pushback from our political system proves just how powerful counterculture was. 

To the changemakers, this classification was considered a part of a bigger mission to silence their movements and attempt to uphold traditional values. In September 2024, the New York Times reported tapes of Nixon in 1972 admitting that “marijuana is not particularly dangerous” and explaining that although the majority of young people were in favor of legalization, “it’s the wrong signal for the time.” The discovery of these tapes was revelatory, exposing that the motive of the demonization of marijuana was not done for the safety of the public but rather to further the federal government’s agenda. 

The plant’s ability to evoke open-mindedness has not only made it a multifaceted social catalyst but also a unifier, fostering community and connection among groups who consume it together. 

Throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s, “Smoke-Ins,” or gatherings of people who would consume cannabis in public spaces, were a peaceful form of civil disobedience that not only challenged drug laws but stood for the expression of free love and personal liberty. These sentiments are still shared within the stoner community today, particularly displayed through their willingness to be there for one another. Sharing your joint with a friend, knowing they “got you next time” is a simple yet telling experience that translates to “I’m here for you.” 

As federal cannabis policy was not an issue in the 2024 presidential election, due to both candidates being in favor of loosening laws, a future where cannabis is no longer viewed through a lens of stigma, but rather as a vital part of American culture is on the horizon.