Marijuana

Study Further Helps Destigmatize Cannabis Use

These results are striking in that they are contrary to the stereotypical portrayal we see of cannabis users on TV and in movies, who are portrayed as lazy and apathetic 'stoners.'

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marijuana-gb13a405a0_1920A recent study conducted by a team of scientists at University College London (UCL), the University of Cambridge, and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London is casting doubt on the long-ingrained stereotype that cannabis users are “indifferent, lazy stoners.”

As cannabis use continues to rise across the globe and legalization becomes more widespread, growing concerns surrounding the long-term health effects of cannabis on the human body and brain, particularly in adolescents, have emerged.

Through their research, these scientists examined whether cannabis users showed higher levels of apathy (loss of motivation) and anhedonia (loss of interest in or pleasure from rewards) as well as whether they were less willing to exert physical effort to receive a reward.

The team studied 274 adolescent and adult cannabis users who on average had been using cannabis four times a week for at least three months, and compared them with nonusers of the same age and gender.

The results showed that cannabis users seemed more capable of enjoying themselves and were no less motivated than the nonuser group. The researchers also found no correlation between frequency of cannabis use and either apathy or anhedonia in the people who used cannabis.

Over half of the participants also carried out a number of behavioral tasks.

The first of these tasks assessed physical effort. Participants were given the option to press buttons in order to win points in exchange for chocolates or sweets. There were three difficulty levels and three reward levels. More difficult trials required faster button pressing. On each trial, the participant could choose to accept or reject the offer; points were only accrued if the trial was accepted and completed.

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In a second task, which measured how much pleasure participants received from rewards, participants were asked to estimate how much they wanted to receive each of three rewards (30 seconds of one of their favorite songs, a piece of chocolate or a sweet, and a £1 coin) on a scale from “do not want at all” to “intensely want.” They then received each reward and were asked to rate how pleasurable they found them on a scale from “do not like at all” to “intensely like.”

When compiling this data, the researchers found no difference between cannabis users and nonusers or between age groups on either the physical effort task or the real reward pleasure task, confirming findings from existing studies on the matter.

This study, which is one of the first to directly compare adolescent and adult cannabis users, also suggests that adolescents are no more vulnerable than adults to the potential harmful effects of cannabis on motivation, the experience of pleasure, or the brain’s response to reward.

That being said, the scientists acknowledge that while this first study shows no apparent link between cannabis, motivation, pleasure, and the brain’s response to reward, new studies need to be conducted to examine these associations over time and confirm the validity of these findings, particularly that frequent cannabis use by adolescents will not negatively impact their motivation and brain development.

These results are striking in that they are contrary to the stereotypical portrayal we see of cannabis users on TV and in movies — Think of The Dude in “The Big Lebowski” and Jesse Pinkman in “Breaking Bad,” who are portrayed as lazy and apathetic “stoners.”

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Despite legal global sales of cannabis totaling $23.7 billion in 2020, with the U.S. alone accounting for $20.3 billion, many continue to view the industry through the lens of historical stigma. This study reminds us of the deeply entrenched narrative in the US, as well as overseas, that unfairly categorized the cannabis industry and users as dangerous and immoral.

Debunking these negative stereotypes is a critical component of legitimizing the cannabis industry as it will help consumers, investors, and regulators break away from the cannabis stigma, and in turn, focus on its incredible potential. So let’s hope for more reliable scientific studies in the near future.

nathalie bougenies headshotNathalie Bougenies focuses her practice on health and wellness, in addition to corporate transactions and regulatory compliance. For the past four years, Nathalie has helped clients navigate the complex regulatory landscape of hemp products intended for human consumption and advises domestic and international clients on the sale, distribution, marketing, labeling, and importation of these products. Nathalie frequently speaks on these issues and has made national media appearances, including on NPR’s “Marketplace.” She also authors a weekly column for “Above the Law” that features content on cannabis policy and regulation. For four consecutive years, Nathalie has been named Rising Star by Super Lawyers.

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