This blog is the final part of our multi-part series on cannabis’ influence on pop culture. Our first three parts studied the historical impact of cannabis. These blogs centered around American pop culture from pre-1900 to 1969, 1970 to 1999, and 2000 to modern day. Now that we covered the past, we can turn to the future. This blog will speculate how cannabis may affect pop culture in the future. We will discuss the changing stigma around cannabis, how people will enjoy cannabis, cannabis legalization, and possible artistic depictions of cannabis. Although these are just predictions, in a few years, they might be reality.
Federal Cannabis Legalization
Federal legalization is the big one. Once cannabis is legal in the United States, it will have come full circle since it was made illegal in the early 1900s. Finally, cannabis users will no longer be criminals. However, some roadblocks will be difficult to overcome.
I contend that cannabis will be fully legal by 2032 at the latest. Younger generations support cannabis legalization more than older generations. Therefore, as younger generations age, their opinions will remain the same. In 2032, many millennials will be fifty years old, and the government will better reflect their opinions on cannabis legalization. Legalization will cause several dramatic changes. Governments can no longer arrest marijuana users, and there will be more cannabis farms across the United States. Although critical issues will come to pass, there will still be some problems.
Already, many “Blue” states, like California and Colorado, embrace legalization. However, many “Red” states will do everything in their power to resist cannabis legalization. Although states cannot overrule a federal law, they will look for loopholes. The first area they will attack are dispensaries. One only has to look at New York to see how difficult it can be to zone and open dispensaries in a newly legal state. Many states will drag their feet on providing licenses to dispensaries and attempt to limit sales to dispensaries exclusively. Limiting cannabis distribution is one way state governments will slow the legalization of cannabis. People living in certain states may have to wait far longer to enjoy legal cannabis to its fullest.
Buying and Enjoying Cannabis
As legalization changes cannabis’ legal standing, purchasing and enjoying cannabis will change too. The way people consume cannabis will influence pop culture’s views on cannabis and cannabis users. Soon, cannabis consumption will be a widely accepted hobby.
As I mentioned previously, some states will likely block the erection of dispensaries in their state. For this reason, many people will choose to purchase their cannabis legally online. There will be online cannabis stores that sell a wide array of cannabis products and paraphernalia across the United States. Today, you can already purchase cannabis products online, but there will be greater variety and stock in the future.
Although many people will purchase cannabis online, many others will embrace new ways to enjoy cannabis. In Amsterdam, where cannabis was legal long ago, there are countless cannabis bars called “Coffeeshops.” In these Coffeeshops, you can choose from several strains of cannabis and smoke them in the store. Coffeeshops will make their way to the United States. Like a bar, you will choose from your favorite varieties and enjoy them amongst friends. These bars will create a lively and fun atmosphere for new cannabis enjoyers. Someday, a trip to a cannabis Coffeeshop might be as popular as Friday night at the bar.
Science Influences Cannabis
Cannabis influences pop culture, and science will influence cannabis in the future. Today, cannabis is considered a Schedule I drug. Therefore, it is very difficult to study cannabis. Federal cannabis legalization will trigger an incredible amount of cannabis research. Two things will come from this research, new psychoactive strains and medical drugs.
After federal legalization, it will be a race to discover, isolate, and distill cannabinoids. There are over 200 cannabinoids, naturally occurring chemicals in cannabis. You likely know the famous ones; THC, CBD, Delta 8, and more. Scientists will discover new cannabinoids with new psychoactive effects, and manufacturers will bring these cannabinoids to market.
I believe that in the future, there will be far more choices of cannabis than just Indica or Sativa. With greater knowledge of the endocannabinoid system, manufacturers will tailor cannabis strains to achieve a feeling. There will be “energizing” strains that power you up like a cup of coffee and “relaxing” strains that keep you on the couch for hours. However, tailormade strains will affect more than psychoactive highs.
The main benefit of cannabis research is that it will lead to more medicinal applications of cannabis. Scientists will make non-psychoactive pills that help people sleep, kill pain, and even prevent diseases. These natural cures will possess far fewer side effects than traditional medicine and will work just as well. In the future, you will take a pill in the morning to balance your endocannabinoid system, another at lunch to help digestion, and another at night to put you to sleep in minutes. The medicinal applications for cannabis will be limitless.
Cannabis’ Influence on Artistic Culture
The broad cultural acceptance of cannabis will lead to more cannabis-inspired artwork. This artwork will occur in two ways, a mainstream acceptance and a return to cannabis’ influenced art from the 60s.
As cannabis becomes more accepted, musicians and films will portray everyday cannabis use. Country singers will sing just as much about “grabbing a Bud Light at the bar” as “lighting up a joint at the pot shop.” Also, adult movies and TV that depict alcohol use will display cannabis use in equal measure. Cannabis will be as prevalent in mainstream art as it is in future society. However, there will be niche offshoots of cannabis-inspired art as well.
Art is cyclical. Old artworks inspire new generations, and these new generations recontextualize the art in modern times. You will likely see many people influenced by the cannabis artworks of the 60s. Some artists will recast Warhol and Dali, and Ginsberg will influence writers. Future artists will embrace cannabis’ influence on pop culture when they reflect the sounds, visuals, and words of the 60s.
Cannabis’ Broad Influence on Future Pop Culture
Stereotypes do not die overnight. Even after cannabis legalization, many people will still believe all cannabis users are lazy loafers living in their parent’s basements. Others will always believe cannabis is the devil’s lettuce. However, mainstream pop culture will shift to more positive views on cannabis users.
Cannabis users will be as mundane as people who drink alcohol or coffee. Pop culture will normalize a once illegal practice. You might ask your co-worker if they want to smoke a joint after work rather than hitting the bar. You might tell your parents about your favorite strains. Instead of keeping the hobby of using cannabis to yourself, you will be free to discuss it with anyone. There will likely also be niche cultures, like people who spend 30 minutes making espresso every morning.
There are also a few elements cannabis culture will lose. There will be no more heading to a pot dealer to grab another eighth, finding the best hidden smoke spot, or bonding with someone as you do something illegal. As pop culture progresses, there will inevitably be fun elements that are left behind. You should not fear the change; hold onto the memories. In the future, if you feel nostalgic for how cannabis culture used to be, light one up and reminisce.