Troubling Claims of Normalization: Continuing Stigmas within Michigan’s Medical Cannabis Community

ABSTRACT

Cannabis has undoubtedly become more accessible and commonplace in American society, and scholars and laypeople commonly claim it has achieved a normalized status. On the other hand, structural and social stigmas still impact medical and non-medical cannabis users’ everyday lives. This study attempts to restore nuance to the academic debate on cannabis normalization. The primary method used here is focus groups of cannabis patients in Michigan (n = 21), which are occasionally supplemented by key informant interviews. Findings suggest cannabis patients face persistent cannabis-related stigmas and discrimination, even in a post-prohibition state like Michigan. These stigmas create tension for patients in their personal relationships, work environments, and sense of self. Furthermore, experiences of being a cannabis patient vary along the lines of age, gender, race, and occupational status. As such, this study suggests claims of normalization may be premature or symptomatic of social privileges.

Biographical Note

Matt Reid, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at Cabrini University in the Sociology and Criminology Department. He currently researches the medicalization of cannabis with attention to normalization, prevailing stigmas, and gender dynamics.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

¹ Michigan is a large state with well populated areas toward the south and largely rural areas toward the north. More importantly, there are significant demographic and political differences between the western region (more white, more conservative) and eastern region (more racially diverse, more liberal) of the state.

² Arkansas, Hawaii, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island allow patients from other states to access dispensaries. Arizona, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania offer legal protections but forbid dispensary purchases for visiting patients. There are also 11 states with adult-use programs where dispensary purchases are legal, but only for individuals age 21 and older.

³ Caregivers are individuals who can purchase or grow medicine for registered patients in Michigan. A patient transfers their right to grow up to 12 plants onto the caregiver, and a caregiver is allowed to grow medicine for up to 5 patients. Caregivers also once had the ability to sell excess medicine to dispensaries. These individuals were the primary suppliers in Michigan’s medical cannabis program until the state created a licensed production and distribution system in 2016.

⁴ Since the spirit of the law is based on compassionate access rather than profit, caregivers are advised to charge only a reasonable fee for their services. “A registered primary caregiver may receive compensation for costs associated with assisting a registered qualifying patient in the medical use of marihuana. Any such compensation does not constitute the sale of controlled substances” (MCL 333.26424, 4 F).

⁵ A similar problem has occurred around Halloween for the past several years. Media reports featuring police officers warn parents about the possibility of their children receiving THC infused trick or treat candy. However, there is no evidence this has ever happened (Dickson 2019).

⁶ A comment made by an acquaintance of the researcher speaks volumes on the racialized normalization of cannabis. As he was explaining his research to others at an event, a Black woman commented: “I don’t think it will ever be legal for me”.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Matt Reid

Matt Reid, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at Cabrini University in the Sociology and Criminology Department. He currently researches the medicalization of cannabis with attention to normalization, prevailing stigmas, and gender dynamics.