Legalization of marijuana in different states presents a new kind of mainstream media behavior.
Apparently, the concept of “family newspaper” has changed.
Many of the major regional news outlets in the 18 states, where marijuana is fully legal, have now incorporated cannabis into a beautiful way of life that emphasizes the virtues of the once-underground cannabis culture. Retail stores, specialty smoking salons, and “Pot Future” dinner recipes are available in the “Entertainment” and “Food” sections.
A leading California newspaper recently offered instructions on how to enjoy Disneyland; The space mountain roller coaster was a special favorite. In the Northwest, a major news outlet reported that after eating a certain pot, a glow-in-the-dark mini golf was much better. In Colorado, a special online section of Cannabis Paper offers ways to include cannabis in a Thanksgiving recipe. One of the largest Midwest news outlets has published a book entitled “How to Make a Marijuana Dinner with Tips on Mild, Climate, and Noise Killing.”
At some point, there is no problem with that, I guess. In those states, these practices are not against the law. And legitimacy, one might argue, has some tangible social benefits. The motive for criminalizing cannabis is based on a convincing and undeniable fact that many people overcrowded prisons and jails with minor marijuana charges. It can be said that our society as a whole would be better off without those pot limits.
But rushing to correct that mistake has led to a list of possible problems. Basically, scientific research and law enforcement practices did not have time to adapt to the new legal reality; The effects of that are now visible every day.
The police use a blood pressure monitor to determine if a person is driving under the influence of alcohol. Trying to do any similar assessment with marijuana will give the police and the courts a better gray area. In fact, the websites of law firms specializing in DUI arrests – now many new and non-alcoholic customers are flocking – carefully explain how these confusing lines can get out of trouble.
And there is more gray on it. Most states have strict rules on cannabis distribution. As a result, out-of-control pottery business is booming. According to one report, 80 to 90 percent of marijuana sales in California fall within the “legal gray zone.” The state legislature even approved a $ 100 million plan last year to strengthen its “struggling” licensed cannabis business.
That is, many pot products do not usually follow any production standards. A study of emergency rooms in the Denver area shows that candy-like “edible” marijuana products have caused an “disproportionate number of pot-related medical crises.” According to a study by the University of Michigan, duplication of cannabis with e-cigarettes is often more dangerous than smoking.
Hard news reporters write about it all, of course. Stress issues are not ignored. And feature stories always contain warnings about driving or moving complex machinery under pressure. But this does not eliminate the question that many media outlets are now asking about marijuana.
Some news outlets publish articles that suggest drunkenness.
Although the feature sections often highlight cocktail recipes and seasonal bars, readers will not find tips on how enjoyable Disneyland is after two or three whiskey drinks. It is difficult to find a major newspaper guide in the city where you smoke a few cigarettes.
That marijuana push makes him feel a little more desperate. News agencies often get angry when they reach a young audience. Critics, critics, and lifestyle writers have to point the finger at hip-hop in the popular culture.
Coverage of cannabis culture is part of that radical movement that is considered democratically “related.” But all of this comes at the expense of seemingly irresponsible and, at the very least, unhealthy.
Again, there are important positive aspects to legalizing marijuana – especially in the field of criminal justice. But this does not mean that it is a normal consumer product such as coffee or chocolate bar.
There are responsibilities, including the right to use cannabis legally. Not only for users but also for news organizations.
Joe Ferrulo is an award-winning media executive, producer and journalist and former executive vice president of programming for CBS Television. He was the news executive for NBC, the editor-in-chief of Dateline NBC, and ABC News. Follow him on Twitter. @ Iron Worker 1.
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