Weed has been a part of human culture for centuries, and as such, it has accumulated a wealth of folklore and myths as varied and fascinating as the plant itself. From the stoner's version of Bigfoot to the tall tales of the legendary "420", or whether you believe holding in your hits gets you higher or the creativity-boosting effects of smoking, there's no denying that weed has a rich and intriguing history. Just be sure to take some with a grain of salt – or a nug of weed – and enjoy the stories for what they are: a fun and entertaining part of stoner culture. So the next time you're passing a joint with your friends, why not share your favorite weed myth?
Here are 14 examples of weed folklore and myths that have been passed down from one generation of smokers to the next.
1. The Myth of the Magic Dragon:
Many a stoner has sung along to the classic Peter, Paul and Mary tune "Puff the Magic Dragon," believing it to be about smoking weed. But the song's authors have repeatedly stated that it's actually about the innocence of childhood, and that "Puff" is just a friendly dragon who lives by the sea.
2. The Legend of 420:
According to the story, a group of high school students in California in the 1970s would meet at 4:20 pm to smoke weed. From there, the term "420" became a code word for marijuana, and now April 20th (4/20) is celebrated as a sort of unofficial stoner holiday. (click here to read about the 50 yrs of 420)
3. Holding in your hits gets you higher.
It might make you look cool in front of your friends, but holding in your hits won't actually make you any higher. Most of the THC in marijuana is absorbed within seconds of inhalation, so you're just depriving yourself of oxygen and it might just make you light-headed and dizzy. (Leafly, 2017)
4. Weed is a gateway drug.
According to some people, smoking weed is a one-way ticket to shooting heroin in a back alley. But there's no scientific evidence to support the idea that marijuana use leads to harder drug use. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020)
5. The Story of the Pot Sasquatch:
Is there a Bigfoot-like creature who roams the forests, smoking weed and scaring off hikers? Probably not, but that hasn't stopped people from claiming to have seen the "Pot Sasquatch" in the wild.
6. The Tale of the Killer Weed:
In the 1930s, anti-marijuana propaganda claimed that smoking weed would turn people into violent, crazed maniacs. This myth has been debunked, but it's still amusing to think that weed could be so powerful.
7. Weed is addictive.
Sure, you might love the sweet, sweet feeling of getting stoned, but weed isn't actually physically addictive like heroin or cocaine. That being said, it is possible to become psychologically dependent on marijuana, so puff responsibly. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020)
8. Weed is a cure-all.
As much as we'd love it if weed could cure all of our ailments, the truth is a little more complicated. While marijuana does have some medical benefits, it's not a miracle cure that can solve every health problem under the sun. (Mayo Clinic, 2021)
9. Weed makes you lazy.
This myth is so pervasive that it's practically a cliche. This stereotype claims that all stoners are lazy and unproductive. Of course, this isn't true. Sure, some strains of marijuana might leave you feeling a little sluggish, others can actually be energizing and motivating. So if you need to power through that all-night study/creative session, a sativa strain might be just the ticket. There are plenty of high-functioning stoners out there who prove that being productive and smoking weed are not mutually exclusive.
We just do our work really, really slowly.
10. The Hemp Car:
In the 1940s, car manufacturer Henry Ford allegedly built a car made from hemp that ran on hemp fuel. While the story is true, it's worth noting that the car was never mass-produced.
11. The myth of the stoner genius.
Many people believe that smoking weed makes you more creative and insightful. However, this has yet to be scientifically proven, although it does explain why so many stoners think they're geniuses.
12. Smoking weed kills brain cells and makes you stupid.
This is a classic myth that's been around since the '70s and despite what your D.A.R.E. officer might have told you, smoking a joint won't actually make you dumb as a post. While some studies suggest that heavy, long-term use can impair cognitive function, the effects are usually reversible and there's no evidence that smoking a little weed will leave you with the brain of a goldfish. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020)
13. You can overdose on weed.
Nope, sorry, not true. Sorry to disappoint the haters, but unlike alcohol or opioids, marijuana is virtually impossible to overdose on. While consuming too much THC can cause unpleasant side effects like anxiety and paranoia, you'd have to smoke a mountain of ganja to put your life in danger. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020)
14. Weed is illegal because it's dangerous.
Believe it or not, weed is actually illegal mostly because of politics and social attitudes, not because it's inherently dangerous. Many experts argue that legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana could actually reduce the harm associated with criminalization. (American Civil Liberties Union, 2021)
Right before publishing this I came across a pretty gnarly blog with tons of awesome photos, posters, ads related to cannabis. Totally recommend you take a look and do as Schwilly the blog author says : Get comfy, load your bowl and enjoy!
The Canna Chronicles
References:
American Civil Liberties Union. (2021). Marijuana prohibition.
Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). Does marijuana help or hurt athletic performance? Retrieved
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/does-marijuana-help-or-hurt-athletic-performance-2021010721850
Healthline. (2021). Sativa vs. indica: What's the difference? Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/sativa-vs-indica
Leafly. (2017). Cannabis 101: Does holding in a hit of marijuana
