According to Wikipedia, “A pothead is a type of insulated electrical terminal used for transitioning between an overhead line and underground high voltage cable or for connecting overhead wiring to equipment like transformers. Its name comes from the process of potting or encapsulation of the conductors inside the terminal’s insulating bushing.” (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pothead)

I don’t know about you, but that sounds dangerous to try doing whilst one is stoned… So it’s a good thing that’s not the type of “pothead” I’m discussing today.

Potheads. AKA: Stoners.

They are what most people think of when they think of marijuana usage. They’re the people that tell the cops that the license is on the back of the car, man. They’re the ones going around asking dudes where their cars are. They’re the folks that wonder why fingers are called fingers because they’ve never seen them fing. And they’re the individuals that are dazed and/or confused.

The eternal gigglers. The prolific snackers. The constantly confused. The forever laidback.

All movies are better. All jokes are funnier. All tv shows are profounder. All foods are tastier. All time is slower. And all Lebowskis are bigger.

Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against stoners. And I’m not protesting their love of Phish, The Bugs Bunny & Tweety Show, Planetariums, or all-day cereal eating. I have had many friends in the past that have fallen into this category to some degree. And at one point in my life, I was in an aspect of this category.

But there are so many other types of people that use marijuana – recreationally and medically.

Part of the “burnt-out stoner” image that is burnt into our consciousness is due to pop culture. Especially movies. Entire films, franchises, and brands have been built around the pothead stereotype. Mostly because it’s ripe for comedic consumption. Even when they’re just a supporting character or random cameo, it’s almost always done for laughs. And when done well, even non-marijuana users can find it quite hilarious.

And yes, those people DO exist. They might not be the full-blown caricature that is on screen, but there’s a level of truth to it. Also, some real-life potheads seem to be inspired by their onscreen counterparts, and sometimes they will enhance their own “persona” to try and be funny just like that “so-and-so” from “what’s that movie”.

But there are a lot of professionals in numerous industries that are regular marijuana users that don’t fit into the stereotypical image of the “pothead” (https://www.google.ca/amp/nypost.com/2017/02/07/professionals-have-become-the-citys-new-potheads/amp/).

One of the problems with that (partly) farcical stoner image is that when you see rallies and large get-togethers of marijuana users on tv/the news, the camera/reporter will specifically search out those extreme individuals and give them air time for the whole world to see.

So you have people advocating for the health and medicinal benefits of marijuana and how it should be legal and how all the propaganda surrounding it has no basis in reality – and then they cut to someone like this:

It immediately says that it’s something only for the fringe of society and that no well-to-do person should ever consider it legitimate or helpful.

Not all pot users are “potheads”.

Not all potheads are “potheads”.

And not all “potheads” stay being “potheads”.

But for the record, even if someone IS the cliche “pothead”, it doesn’t mean they’re a lesser person. It doesn’t mean they’re a bad person. And sometimes, there can be some benefits to knowing them (http://www.yourtango.com/201064123/9-pros-and-cons-dating-pothead).

But the fact that the media and others still want to reinforce the stereotype that stoners are the spokespersons for all marijuana usage, the negative views of pot will unfortunately continue. And then the people that NEED it for their health and well-being will still continue to be shunned and frowned upon – at least in some corners of society.

Don’t judge a group of people by its most extreme members… Unless it’s a group of Extreme Sports Athletes.

We have a long way to go before marijuana is fully and completely considered legitimate (if it ever is). But these are some of the main hurdles we need to jump over in order to get to a more accepting attitude from the mass ensemble of the population.

Now dude, where’s my article…