By Allessandra Inzinna
Every generation swings the cultural pendulum to and fro.
One builds the suburbs, one escapes the suburbs, all witness varying levels of political unrest and react accordingly. While past generations may have believed or been victimized by the villainization of weed, Generation Z largely isn’t buying it. In fact, they’re heading in the opposite direction.
Zoomers, or those currently aged 10-27, are the first adults to have widespread legal access to the plant. The oldest of them grew up on the domino effect of state-by-state legalization, the youngest of them born into it already. Nearly 70 million Gen Z kids roam the U.S., and of those aged 18-24, nearly 70 percent are choosing weed over alcohol, according to a 2022 New Frontier Data survey.
It’s staggering when compared to older folks. Weed consumers up to age 44 prefer weed at a similar rate, according to Bloomberg, but Gen Z have only recently earned enough years under their belt to have disposable income.
The kids want to relax, sleep, have fun and release their pent up emotions, the survey found. They want to improve their health and decision-making by ditching alcohol.
Kae Kenzi (@kaedabs), 25, a cannabis influencer and Zoomer, admits that she smokes a lot. Like those surveyed in the New Frontier Data survey, she uses the plant to help her relax. As opposed to drinking, which would get her in trouble sometimes, smoking helps ease the everyday annoyances for her.
“I could stand people, I could stay home, I could relax without that back of my mind thought of getting irritated,” she said.
Gen Z seems to be challenging the historically accepted half-truths about the plant and figuring out for themselves where cannabis fits in their life.
“You can’t associate cannabis with someone that procrastinates a lot, because then they’re gonna assume oh, well, it’s because of weed,” Kenzi said. “But it’s not, because I know plenty of people who smoke weed and still could run a business smoothly.”
Sierra Alongi (@sierraalongi), 25, is cannabis influencer, digital marketer and fellow Zoomer. She’s one of those who smoke weed and run a business smoothly. Alongi started dabbling in the plant when she was in high school–and hated it. It wasn’t until she came back to it years later that she found it an impactful addition to her work and wellness routine. Unlike the stereotype that depicts weed smokers lazing on the couch (though, it’s a perfectly viable freetime option), the plant ignites her creativity and focus.
“Some people can handle it throughout the day, every day. It’s not for everyone and that’s okay. Just like anything else,” Alongi said. “But then there’s a whole other side of it, where for me, it helps me go right to sleep. I’m up at 6 a.m. and going, so, I definitely just think it’s based on the person and how their lifestyle is.”
Alongi understands why young people may choose to smoke. Attitudes toward the plant are changing. Movements against mass incarceration and police brutality highlighted the unjust truths of The War on Drugs. New medicinal uses for all its compounds are being studied and the results are promising.
Like everything, however, cannabis has its downsides. Regular smoking of the plant can contribute to the declining health of your oral and respiratory systems. Cannabis use for teens and adolescents may lead to mental health and cognition issues. But while these downsides exist, the new generation is realizing that its effects are not as villainous as historically portrayed.
The young people, as Alongi put it, are “not with the bullshit anymore.”
“We’re more open minded,” she said. “We’re feeling a little bit more free to be ourselves.”
