What is Your Cannabis Culture like Compared to Ours in America?
Posted by UrbanVengence@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 74 comments
I would say close to 40% of the US population still considers Cannabis to be "Devil's Lettuce/Immoral." Mostly Boomers and older folk.
A vast majority of cannabis users here are more or less the recreational type, and for some reason consistently search for higher highs.
Medical usage is becoming more popular, but at the same time being disregarded as an "excuse/loophole/negative" by many who don't know much about cannabis.
Three thoughts to help add substance to my question.
RiverTadpolez@reddit
Cannabis is only legal for medical use. It's pretty common for people to smoke it in public though/ it isn't very strictly policed.
I grew up with most of the people I knew smoking it, including middle-aged/ old people, and it seemed very normal. It's common for people to start smoking it when they're about 12 or 13 - very popular with teenagers. As an adult, I've come to think of it as pretty dangerous because of how normalised it is. I know a few people who've had pretty serious weed addictions (e.g. spending money for bills on weed, getting into debt to buy weed) and I've also known some people who have developed cannabis induced psychosis/ schizophrenia, plus plenty of other people who smoke weed all the time and who are completely incompetent because they're always stoned - so I'm not a big fan of it these days. The culture is probably pretty similar to in the US except for the fact that it's more illegal and therefore more hidden.
Sufficient_Range4466@reddit
I know people who spend their bill money on alcohol, who have had psychosis from alcohol, and who are useless because they’re alcoholics. It doesn’t mean everyone is like this. Those that are tend to stick in your mind but the vast majority that aren’t you never hear from
RiverTadpolez@reddit
I'm also not a big fan of alcohol, and I'm not really sure what the point of the comparison is here.
Sufficient_Range4466@reddit
Just that people always make this point with cannabis but never with alcohol. Not having a go at you here btw
generichandel@reddit
Nobody ever makes the point that alcohol is harmful? What?
Sufficient_Range4466@reddit
No, nobody ever says that alcohol should be illegal because it is harmful but as soon as you bring up legalisation of cannabis people (often who themselves drink) start shouting that it causes this and that. However it is overall far less harmful than alcohol.
Linden_Lea_01@reddit
Alcohol is and has been culturally and socially acceptable since basically before recorded history. There have been relatively brief periods where ‘temperance’ became a popular movement, but obviously it’s a very culturally important activity. Other drugs are newer and, if they’re harmful at all, surely it would only be increasing harm to allow them to become similarly culturally significant.
Sufficient_Range4466@reddit
Cannabis is not a new drug. It’s been used for at least 2,500 years but probably more. Possibly up to 10,000 years. Nobody really knows.
Linden_Lea_01@reddit
Its use as a psychoactive drug is quite new in Britain. Prior to the 19th century hemp had been grown for making things like rope, but not as a drug.
generichandel@reddit
Oh I don't disagree, especially edibles with edibles. I thought you were saying that nobody talks about the dangers of alcohol is all.
RiverTadpolez@reddit
There's a term CASHA (culturally acceptable self harm activity) for things like drinking alcohol or over working or not sleeping enough. There are positive social and cultural reasons why people do all sorts of things that harm themselves, but there needs to be a basic awareness that they are harmful, so that the harm can be managed responsibly.
pcor@reddit
Apples to oranges. Alcohol-induced psychosis is more likely to be a reversible physiological event, whereas cannabis-induced psychosis has a much higher risk of becoming a lifelong psychiatric condition.
Sufficient_Range4466@reddit
I don’t believe that’s true tbh. Alcohol also has much worse physical withdrawal symptoms and high risk of death from withdrawal. Plus Korsakoff syndrome etc
My main point however is it’s mad to justify prohibition by using these points whilst alcohol remains legal, readily available and highly socially acceptable
pcor@reddit
How much evidence exactly do you need?
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336617222_Transition_of_Substance-Induced_Brief_and_Atypical_Psychoses_to_Schizophrenia_A_Systematic_Review_and_Meta-analysis
What’s mad is to think that pointing to the mere existence of legal alcohol and its associated harms is an adequate response to concerns of harms of cannabis. I support decriminalisation, but it’s tiresome (and kind of worrying) how incapable so many advocates of cannabis are of acknowledging and seriously addressing the subject.
Sufficient_Range4466@reddit
How many of these people already had an emerging, undiagnosed or familial risk of psychiatric disorder? What is being used to prove drug induced psychosis, is it simply chronological timing? How many of these people were using cannabis to deal with symptoms of an existing condition? A trigger does not necessarily mean a cause.
This is diverting away from my point anyway, which was always that if you look at both substances objectively alcohol is far more dangerous yet remains legal and socially acceptable even though
“ What’s mad is to think that pointing to the mere existence of legal alcohol and its associated harms is an adequate response to concerns of harms of cannabis. I support decriminalisation, but it’s tiresome (and kind of worrying) how incapable so many advocates of cannabis are of acknowledging and seriously addressing the subject.”
Im not really sure which subject you’re trying to address. Are you saying cannabis causes psychosis? Im saying it doesn’t any more than any other drug (alcohol included), it’s just that people with a pre disposition to psychosis and other associated mental health problems tend to use cannabis more than drink alcohol to deal with their symptoms and so of course studies will show that more people had that as their trigger. That doesn’t mean the cannabis is causing the psychosis, it’s triggering what was already there. Had they abused alcohol in the same way then the same thing would have happened, but alcohol is less soothing to mental health problems than cannabis and so less people do it.
Purely anecdotal but I work with young people at risk of homelessness, and one client (a lad of under 21) was having bad anxiety and sleep issues. He started smoking cannabis heavily to deal with these symptoms and eventually went into mild psychosis. His family also have a history of it. Now, his record will state that he had cannabis induced psychosis, not alcohol, because cannabis is what he was using to deal with the issue that was already there. Alcohol would not have helped with those issues (soothing anxiety, helping sleep etc) and so of course he did not use it but I firmly believe that had he been drinking heavily, or sleep deprived, or used too much caffeine etc the same thing would have occurred.
pcor@reddit
Believe it or not, researchers who are publishing meta-analyses in premier publications for schizophrenia and psychosis research can safely be assumed to be at least as aware of the existence of confounding factors as you are.
If alcohol induced psychosis led to schizophrenia at the same rate as cannabis then it wouldn’t matter at all that it’s less popular. That’s kind of the whole point of working with the rate rather than raw figures…
UrbanVengence@reddit (OP)
I have family with schizophrenia. 99% sure the rule is to go low thc, high cbd. Terpenes gives different effects, so the strain matter heavily for those sorts of users. Some terps give you jitters/anxiety spikes, other's do not. The effects are dependent of your body chemistry, so terps react differently to each individual. There hasn't been any decent research to figure out "why" yet.
andycwb1@reddit
Stinks like tobacco. Can’t stand it. Neither is allowed in my home or garden space.
Agitated_Ad_361@reddit
I’m fast becoming fed up of the smell of it and people are as irritating when stoned as they are when they’re pissed.
WatermoonApollo@reddit
Just annoying when next door but one smokes and it stinks our kitchen out during the summer.
UrbanVengence@reddit (OP)
You should convince them to use concentrates, or a dry herb vape. The smell is a side effect, that in 2026 should be pretty easy to manage. They are probably irresponsible.
WatermoonApollo@reddit
LOL they’d just tell me to fuck right off. Besides, it’s mostly teenagers that don’t even live there. I wouldn’t be bothered if we weren’t subjected to the smell.
UrbanVengence@reddit (OP)
Then make them buzz off lmao. Seems like you want to play victim.
anabsentfriend@reddit
Make them buzz off? How would you do that?
UrbanVengence@reddit (OP)
Why haven't you tried taking a mop/broom to their noggins lol. What are they going to do? Beat up a lad? Umm.. Probably not. If they do that's a societal problem.
caiaphas8@reddit
And where do you get them
EightLions539@reddit
Am British, use a dry herb vape, really not that hard lol
UrbanVengence@reddit (OP)
Online. Alot of people just order shit to their door if the stores can't sell in their state. Pretty self explanatory.
caiaphas8@reddit
I obviously meant in the U.K… advising someone to tell their neighbour to mail order illegal drugs is probably a bad idea
utukore@reddit
Dry herb vapes are used with bud just the same as smoking, they just smell a lot less. But you'll be unlikely to convert a random neighbour to their use tbh.
blinky84@reddit
It would really need to be legalised for that kind of thing to be a viable option. CBD vapes are available, but anything with more than a trace of THC would have to be obtained illegally.
UrbanVengence@reddit (OP)
I see, what about devices like a dry herb vaporizer? Are those regulated because of them being paraphernalia?
Bristolblueeyes@reddit
Absolutely not, Freely available :) next day from amazon even
TheGeordieGal@reddit
I really don’t like it. It absolutely reeks. I used to live next to a house where people smoked it (terraced house) and even keeping my window shut I could smell it. Summer was hell where it was melt or get a room full of weed smell.
Even now, I walk around and can smell it and it makes me feel sick.
SamantherPantha@reddit
In theory I don’t really have an issue with people using it, but I find the smell of it absolutely nauseating. We went to California for our honeymoon and it seemed everywhere smelled like weed, it was pervasive. If growers could make it without a smell, problem solved.
InfinityEternity17@reddit
If it was legalised I imagine businesses would be able to sell types that don't smell so bad or whatever, whereas if it stays illegal people who do it just have to go with whatever their dealers selling.
viruswithshoes@reddit
It’s as legal as can be in CA. The smell will never be reduced as that is what consumers are looking for. Higher terpene numbers.
Outrageous_Agent_608@reddit
Yup - spoke to someone about this who deals with weed. The stronger to smell, the better the weed and that’s what customers want.
PartTimeLegend@reddit
It’s legal in the UK for medical use. AFAIK it still stinks though it depends on the ROA.
In the UK it’s illegal to smoke it, but it can be heated to create vapour. This I would assume still smells but possibly not as bad.
InfinityEternity17@reddit
Well sure but it's only legal for medical use, not for recreational use like it also should be imo. It's also quite expensive to get it through the medical route from what I remember and there's a lot of hoops to jump through. Perhaps it's cheaper and simpler now, I looked at it like a year ago.
rtrs_bastiat@reddit
My friend vapourises his prescription, honestly I can be sat next to him and not notice it.
CBWeather@reddit
It's legal in Canada and still reeks.
Sufficient_Range4466@reddit
Also, people would be able to use vapes, edibles, dry herbs vapes etc that don’t smell like burning weed does
viruswithshoes@reddit
People are able to use all those things in legal states but most people don’t bother. In my personal experience dry herb vapes smell strong too but dissipate quicker.
SamantherPantha@reddit
Very true.
UrbanVengence@reddit (OP)
See, I feel like alot of people do it on purpose. I'm not a fan of the stank either, so I usually go for concentrates/edibles.
tannercolin@reddit
I'm in a telegram group with dozens of guys putting out menus of some really nice stuff. I assume most of it comes from Canada and the US. The group is well staffed and moderated, and I've met some lovely people on there.
However for the last 10+ years I've had a mate that lives 5 minutes from me that has basically become my best mate. He also loves da ganj as much as I, and we've bonded over our love of it plus our shared love of multiple genres of music and skateboarding with beers etc. Proper bromance. He is also my number one dealer because his brother knows some proper sketchy Albanians who traffic all kinds of stuff (apparently).
My bro always has six or seven different strains going. I'll give him a msg on the way back from work, I'll go via tesco and grab beers and we'll drink them on the beach (live in Bournemouth) with zoots and life is perfect.
We're both very conscious of the smell. Luckily all of my neighbours seem to be in their own groups because the whole road honks most evenings, so I've never had a complaint.
Prices are good these days too. I pay £70 for a half oz but I'm on mates rates. The standard would be £90/half.
InfinityEternity17@reddit
90 per half? Damn, your man's prices are fantastic! Is he just located in Bournemouth or does he have country wide services lmao
Current_Mongoose_844@reddit
It's illegal here, but you can get it for medical usage relatively easily. Many people want to legalise it, but the government is still firmly against it. It's one of the few things I miss about America.
BatLarge5604@reddit
Your correct but I'd argue it's easier to get illegally than through legal means, I've smoked weed for thirty years, I live in a medium size South East market town and can get weed in five minutes from a number of people, in thirty years I've never not been able to get smoke for more than a day or two at most, the government need to rethink the policy for a modern social situation that isn't going away.
Sufficient_Range4466@reddit
The government is firmly against it in America too. It’s only legal at state level and not all states
Current_Mongoose_844@reddit
That's true, but I came from a civilised state.
Sufficient_Range4466@reddit
It was excellent in California when I visited, Florida not so much unless you’re a state card holder which anyone from out of state can’t hold. I have epilepsy so need it medicinally to prevent seizures. I wish they’d make it legal at a federal level
UrbanVengence@reddit (OP)
I wasn't a big fan of D8/Alt Cannabinoids... they are usually synthetic. And, medical weed is THCa just like the hemp stuff, needs decarbed to work. The lawmakers who made the farm bill knew nothing about marijuana. My worry is if the pressure will effect CBD availability.
TemporaryLucky3637@reddit
I’ve worked with young people and seen firsthand the negative impact it has on a lot of young lad’s mental health to be smoking it every day. I think importing the North American attitude towards it would be a bad idea.
I also agree with what others are saying about the smell being awful for everyone who isn’t a user.
wombatking888@reddit
Whatever its like, I hope that they can get an odourless version soon, I hate the sickly rancid stink that stuff gives off.
cjdstreet@reddit
Nobody cares apart from those who love to be outraged at anything
Southernbeekeeper@reddit
I don't know what the culture is like but I imagine it is totally different than it was 20 years ago when I was a teenager. I've noticed a lot of people have completely normalised cannabis use and as much as I don't have a problem with it I think people should be more responsible.
Through various jobs I've had I've seen some totally negligent attitudes to drug use and I think people getting stoned everyday or getting stoned around their kids is shameful. You wouldn't do the same with alcohol and if you did it would be a problem.
UrbanVengence@reddit (OP)
Exactly, i do see cannabis as less intrusive as alcohol. As in, I could function without any major issues compared to being drunk. However, using it on the job/before work is stupid. However, alot of people think because thc stay in your blood longer, it also retains the full effects. That's, not how it works, so I feel bad for CDL holders. They can't smoke at all, yet they can drink in between shifts lol.
LeTrolleur@reddit
The smell is pretty revolting, and I've really hated living next to neighbours who smoke weed.
I don't have an issue in general with people smoking it, however I'd prefer if it didn't become more common in public, like I said the smell is awful.
t_beermonster@reddit
Legally it's a criminal offense except with a valid prescription.
Practically the law isn't enforced by the police unless there is an aggravating factor. Large growing operations, dealing alongside synthetic cannabis or other harder drugs, driving under the influence, smoking around kids, that sort of thing.
Socially, if you can't smoke tobacco there, don't use cannabis there. Individual sites will have their own unofficial policy, some pubs are fine with it in the smokeshed, others will bar you for life at the first whiff.
Indigo-Waterfall@reddit
It’s common in certain circles and becoming more normalised. Personally, I have no issue if people want to smoke it, but I wish people would be more considerate as the smell gives me migraines.
Drewski811@reddit
It's illegal but not actively criminalised due to policing priorities.
Royal_Philosophy7767@reddit
I’m not weed-averse myself but I am always still a little aghast at the (I guess appropriate these days) brazenness with which I have seen people lighting up a massive joint right in front of the police these past few years.
pcor@reddit
Medical usage has increased but declined in states where recreational use has been legalised, and where restrictions on usage for “medical purposes” have been loosened, a lot of the increase is for treatment of conditions or symptoms without any solid supporting evidence base.
You won the PR war on recreational usage, and that’s a good thing! You can stop pretending it’s a panacea.
UrbanVengence@reddit (OP)
True that. There's plans to re-regulate hemp, so I'm worried about the availability of CBD down the road. I'm a card holder, so either way I'm dandy.
InsideOutCosmonaut@reddit
It’s a generational thing over here.
Most folk under 30 don’t care.
Most folk over 30 complain about the smell and will hold you to stereotypes.
Broad-Raspberry1805@reddit
Over 60 or 70 maybe. Anyone over 40 probably used to smoke it themselves, I’m knocking on 50 and an ex pothead and half my mates still are, idiots.
EUskeptik@reddit
My next door neighbour and her boyfriend used to smoke cannabis upstairs in the evenings. When our bedtime arrived, if we had left a window open our bedroom would reek of cannabis. We had to ensure windows were kept shut which clearly wasn’t ideal in summer. We eventually bought an air conditioner.
The boyfriend is now gone and so have the smells. 👍
-oo-
ayeayefitlike@reddit
It’s illegal but most people sit somewhere on a scale from mild disapproval to being totally pro.
Personally, as an asthmatic, I hate it - the smoke really sets off my asthma, but because it’s illegal anyway there’s no control over where it gets smoked so I can’t necessarily avoid it the way I can avoid fags.
Sufficient_Range4466@reddit
You don’t have to smoke it. The proliferation of smoking is a direct result of prohibition
ayeayefitlike@reddit
Right. But my entire experience of it has been other people’s secondhand smoke and it sets off my asthma therefore I dislike encountering it. Anyone using it in any form well away from me I have zero issues with :)
Sufficient_Range4466@reddit
I use cannabis and also hate the second hand smell. I use a dry herb vaporiser with basically no smell. The more people that start using these the better
QuirkyWolfie@reddit
I can't speak for the entire UK as I only know my local areas attitude
It's completely illegal but most people in their early 20s and up either smoke it or know people that do and don't give a fuss really.
Some old people don't like it and some old people smoke it lol