February 15, 2023
Results of a Wired Research survey show that an astonishing (to this author, at least) 61% of American adults ages 21 and over — nearly 148 million individuals — plan to incorporate cannabis into their Valentine’s Day plans in 2023, either by using it or giving it as a gift. A quarter of the survey respondents believe cannabis will put them in a more romantic mood.
These findings reflect a shift in attitudes toward cannabis, signaling a reduction in stigma and increased acceptance of the drug. Meanwhile, an article in U.S. News and World Report said support for marijuana legalization has become mainstream among Democratic politicians, with some Republicans also backing the idea.
The article said state legislatures are “grappling” with if and how to legalize cannabis. In addition, several marijuana-related bills — including those aiming to decriminalize it on the federal level — have been introduced in Congress.
Legalization of marijuana at the federal level is most likely to occur during a social mood trend like the one that ended prohibition of alcohol in the 1930s, according to the July 2009 issue of The Socionomist. To learn more read “The Coming Collapse of the Marijuana Prohibition.”
If you look closely, you can see patterns in social mood that help you predict social trends. Learn more with the Socionomics Premier Membership.
The Socionomist enables you to see trend-shaping waves of social mood, as reflected by the stock market — and capitalize on them. The June issue looks at phases of social mood and features a “Research Roundup,” which highlights five academic studies that shine a light on important aspects of socionomic theory. Mood Riffs topics include “quiet luxury,” loneliness, the Writers Guild strike and efforts by countries to trade in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Read the June issue when you become a Socionomics Premier Member.
