Spending Millions To Reverse The Cannabis Stigma

Cannabis legalization has come a long way, with dozens of states that now allow cannabis for medicinal or recreational purposes, as well as countries like Portugal, Canada, and others, that have sought to decriminalize or legalize.

It's been previously estimated that at least 59 percent of the American people are now living in a State where cannabis has been legalized.

More and more we are coming to realize that the war on drugs hasn't worked, that it has caused tremendous harm with its different policies that have effectively eroded individual liberty for all, and it hasn't stopped anyone from doing or gaining access to drugs in the least.

There have been decades of propaganda and misinformation that has been perpetrated over the years against cannabis. And many people unfortunately still hold onto outdated ideas that those who use cannabis are lazy, criminal, stoners. But as more individuals have ventured into this market, it's helped to chip away at the misinformed stereotype that's so prevalent.

The notion that the majority of cannabis users are uneducated, lazy, criminal, stoners, just isn't true. Previous research has found that cannabis users are likely to be more successful than non-users, as well as more satisfied in life, and more likely to volunteer their time.

As more people have grown comfortable with talking about and being open about their use, those who are unfamiliar with cannabis have increasingly learned that a user could be anybody from their teacher or lawyer, to their grandma or taxi driver etc.

One company that's been funneling millions of dollars toward reversing this stereotype is MedMen, a US-based, publicly traded cannabis company, with dispensaries in various states. They're responsible for launching the largest cannabis marketing campaign, they've already spent millions of dollars on the cause.

Last year, they released a variety of advertising campaigns and they've also recently released a short video.

At the beginning of last year, MedMen released a variety of billboards in the Los Angeles area that showed different phrases, along with real MedMen customers.

Following that campaign they launched a second one months later that was a continuation of the first one.

In this campaign they used posters that showed cannabis users from different walks of life, from grandmothers to white collar professionals, officers, and more.

It's reported that they spent around $500,000 for the first campaign and $2 million for the second.

Then, in the summer came another, this time a $4 million marketing campaign. It featured the word 'cannabis' in different environments, at the gym or beach etc. According to those with the company, they admit that they didn't feature faces because they wanted people to see themselves in any one of the different pictured scenarios.

MedMen currently has operations in various states including New York, California, Nevada, Florida, and Arizona. They've frequently been referred to as the 'Apple store for cannabis' or the 'Starbucks of weed' because of the modern-day design of their stores, among other features.

Following these different billboard campaigns they've also recently released a short video that was directed by Spike Jonze, The New Normal, that highlights the negative unintended consequences of prohibition and the history of cannabis in the United States.

The number of cannabis users might be growing but there are still many who are afraid to admit to their use, because of fear of being judged by their family and others.

Anyone who shares about their personal story of healing, helps to encourage others to be unafraid to do the same. Because for millions of people who use cannabis regularly it isn't about "getting high" it's about using something that helps them to function better and live a quality life, where they otherwise would be suffering.

Pics:
Pic1
Pic2
Pic3
Pic4
Pic5
Pic6

Related Posts:

The Freedom To Medicate

Cannabis Could Help With Alcoholism And Opioid Addiction, New Study Says

Las Vegas: Home Of The Largest Cannabis Superstore In The World