NCJ Number
223610
Journal
Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 43 Issue: 7 Dated: 2008 Pages: 895-918
Date Published
2008
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This paper examines policies intended to socially control marijuana use in public locations.
Abstract
The ethnographic data from this study revealed the importance of informal sanctions; most marijuana consumers reported compliance with etiquettes in public mainly to avoid stigma from nonusing family, friends, and associates. Users expressed limited concern about police and arrest. The deterrent aspects of enforcement were stated as being designed to influence and shape the conduct norms followed by marijuana subculture members in public settings. The article identifies a special subclass of norms among this group that was labeled as etiquette, the expectations of behaviors that consider the possible response of those outside of or not involved in the group behavior. Additionally, the work states that active police enforcement of civic norms against marijuana smoking in public settings has influenced the locations where marijuana is smoked, and has subtly influenced the various marijuana etiquettes observed in both public and private settings. The study used quantitative and qualitative data from a large scale study of marijuana users in New York City. The data derive from an ongoing omnibus longitudinal ethnography, which focuses on wide variety in the patterns of use, sale, and purchase of various forms of marijuana, as well as the belief systems and conduct norms particular to these subcultures of users. Tables, references