Oren Parthenos / The Mossy Log
In 2023, the Princeton Review ranked Lewis & Clark the first in the country out of almost 400 colleges — not for academics or campus life, but for “Reefer Madness.” While many LC students were thrilled and amused by our college’s top weed marks, I felt embarrassed. It might be controversial to say such a thing in a school and a city so dominated by an enthusiastic stoner culture, but I do not want the most notable thing about my college to be its student body’s pot usage.
This academic year, LC has dropped to fourth place on the reefer madness list, but that is still in the top 1% of colleges reviewed. It is not that I am anti-weed — I recognize that part of college is exploring new things in new social situations, and that can include substances. I even enjoy a recreational edible now and then (faculty reading this, I am 22). Marijuana can also be a helpful way for people with anxiety or high stress to relax or be able to sleep.
The problem I find is that weed all too often becomes more like a hobby or a personality trait than a drug. Like anything, drug use should be balanced in moderation with meaningful, productive activities. LC prides itself on a rich and varied student life, boasting over 100 student organizations, clubs and affinity groups. When stoner culture supplants participation and engagement in these organizations, our active community becomes less vibrant.
A systematic review by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) finds that regular marijuana users can experience a few decreases in their levels of motivation. An academic environment, in addition to student life here, is more beneficial when every student contributes to the classroom and gives their all. Asking a peer, “What are you doing for the rest of the day?” at a crisp 1p.m. on a Tuesday and being met with the response, “Getting high,” can be extremely disheartening to hear.
Vaping, too, has become highly normalized as a part of student culture here. Because vaping is believed not to pollute the air like cigarettes do, many students do not think twice about vaping indoors, even in the library. Yet vaping still negatively impacts indoor air quality, and, as an NLM study details, “secondhand exposure to e-cig aerosols has become a serious public health concern.”
Vaping has become so nonchalant that people will drive while hitting THC vapes. Although it might look like a cute, peach-flavored treat, vaping cannabis is driving under the influence. When weed vapes look identical to nicotine vapes, drivers should clarify what substance they are using, and it should not be assumed that passengers are comfortable with the safety risks that come from both intoxicated driving and secondhand aerosol exposure.
It is not my intention for this article to be preachy or judgmental. It is every student’s choice how they spend their time. Still, it is hard not to notice the prevalence of stoner and vaping culture on our campus, and to wonder what LC might be like if our student body’s weed usage were not some of the highest in the country. Our college has an identity outside of its “reefer madness.” The diverse interests and passions here should be elevated over the singular popularity of a consistently pro-marijuana mindset that takes over the school.
About the Author
