By Sabrina Fendrick , Executive Assistant, NORML/NORML Foundation
I have never been more proud to be a part of the marijuana movement as I was after reading an article in the October issue of Marie Claire titled “Stiletto Stoners”. The feedback and comments in relation to this have been fast and overwhelming.
The woman cited in the article is quoted as saying, “‘I hate the term pothead—it connotes that I’m high 24/7, which I’m not,’ Jennifer Pelham says, wincing. ‘I don’t need it to get through my day. I just enjoy it when my day is over.’ Her nightly ritual costs only $50 a month. It never induces a post-happy-hour hangover and, unlike the Xanax a doctor once prescribed for her anxiety, never leaves her groggy or numb… ‘It’s really not a big deal’.”
The normalizing of recreational cannabis consumption is not just happening with men, which is what most people think of when they think of pot smokers. Women, who are not necessarily left out of the movement, are rarely recognized as a major demographic that is essential for the reform effort to push forward in a truly legitimate fashion.
This underreported phenomenon is now spreading across the mainstream media. From Matt Lauer and the Today show,
To the Los Angeles Times…
This story is spreading like wildfire across the Internet and I am willing to bet, it will only get bigger.
To be honest, I didn’t even realize the extent of this closet practice among my female cohorts. Perhaps it’s just that they’re not as outspoken as the men? Or maybe it’s because they have more at risk? Whatever it is, the fact that more and more women are admitting to smoking cannabis (or marijuana or pot) is truly inspiring.
As a side note, I posted this article to the NORML Facebook page and within an hour there were already more comments on this post than almost any other on NORML’s facebook page! Here are just a few from some NORML women:
-“ Finally, Female stoners who aren’t classified with dreads and no make up. It’s definitely been around for a while but now there is recognition! Successful Stoner Ladies Unite!”
-“Hell yeah! Finally some coverage of us smart, sexy pot smokers.”
-“That’d be me!”
-“I am a successful Optician by day, and a happy pothead by night!”
-“And some of us run three business’s and support a household too!”
-“Exactly!”
-“Wooo! Thanks for the shout out guys!!”
-“This is so great…I actually read this in a salon the other day…”
-“I know a dentist, a lawyer, a paralegal and a few managers who all smoke and they are brilliant women who just like to relax after making all that $$…lol”
-“I’m a stay at home mother during the day and at night i have a job and go to school, and i rather smoke a joint once I’m home from work and the kids are passed out then have a glass of wine.”
-“Agreed everybody!! Don’t know what I would do without this option!”
This is a major response that reinforces my belief that women need to get on the bandwagon and start to fight for an end to these archaic marijuana laws. When was the last time you saw this many comments, from women about women and their marijuana use? What does that say?? Let’s go ladies! It’s time to get vocal and become an active participant in your own liberation.
Like one person commented on my wall earlier, “Blaze on Stiletto stoners. I am proud to be one of you!”
Hi everyone, I wrote an article called “Marijuana Mamas – The Secret Lives of Cannabis Using Moms” back in June if you’d like to read it.
http://maryjanecannabian.blogspot.com/2009/06/marijuana-mamas.html?showComment=1254784585096#c7409343492571550102
While no Stiletto’s for me, (I’m more comfy in my Vans running after the kiddies) I’m so proud more women are starting to come out of the Cannabis Closet!
#43 Lea
I’m glad you liked the article and have decided to become involved in the movement. Its going to take everyone helping out to get us to our goal. I would suggest to people looking to at least get somewhat involved to find some piece of marijuana related clothing or jewelry you like and wear it on a daily basis, outside of work of course. It can be a real conversation starter and will help you convey and promote the message of marijuana legalization being in our future and that it is not taboo or dangerous.
Time to take over our country lets destroy all the cops and judges and prison guards and their families
usa sucks: NO not destroy, EDUCATE.
usa sucks: I understand your anger toward this government. You can not bring change by violance, think of the krama. If we just destory these thing you talk of then we become just like them. I for one do not want to lower myself or my family to acting like the government. An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind. It is time to do, and do we shall but please do not hurt or injury anyone for this cause. If you feel you must attack, plant cannabis seeds everywhere, inside every government potter and planter, every alley not taken care of. The government has a lot of building sites where cannabis seeds could be thrown. Be peacefully in the governments face, attack threw peaceful actions. Don’t make the USA suck anymore than it already does.
Seriously…for me theres nothing more attractive than a smart, strong sexy woman who prefers cannabis over alcohol. Unless of course, shes in an M3. If that’s the case than I’m hers forever haha.
I am a strong sexy women who prefers good bud over booze. I don’t have M3. You’ll find me in a 328i. It’s a stick. You should follow my blog forever…
You will also find a post on Stiletto Stoners
I was thrilled to watch the NBC story about average successful women whom are pot smokers. I pray everyday for the revolution or some major change in our government and society. I am tired of people looking down their noses at men and women who enjoy cannabis when honestly I feel that we’re the ones who have it all together. The billions of dollars spent combatting the “war on marijuana” is ridiculous when in actuallity it is billions our government could make with the legalization and regulation of marijuana. I am a successful owner and operator of a small law firm in Southeast Texas. I have always felt that I could do more for the cause but never knew where to take my first steps. After watching the NBC interview I felt the urge to comment. I relate very much to the annonymous woman in the interview. My family is aware the I smoke and they worry only because it is illegal. I come from a family of women with chemical imbalances; my mother and grandmother are bipolar. Doctors have told my mother and sister that they will have to be on medication forever. I, like my sister, struggled most of my childhood and early adult life with severe anxiety. I tried smoking pot for the first time when I was 20 yrs old and it changed my life. The idea of being medicated by pills for the rest of my life is very saddening to me. I refuse to do so when I know there is a natural way to get the same effects. I know in my heart that if marijuana was legal it could change many people’s lives that I know. I have been a regular cannabis smoker since my first toke. I don’t walk around feeling high or out of control. I feel normal. I am always able to converse with others and do my job. I am certain that many lives would change for the better if marijuana was legalized. I have never been a big drinker, never abused prescription drugs or tried any other illegal substances. A very dear friend of mine died from alcohol poisoning two years ago, he was 21. If the system was different my friend would’ve never touched the bottle. He preferred smoking over drinking to take the edge off but after a few ridiculous arrests over a roach or two he gave up smoking and turned to the bottle. I believe he would still be here today if the Texas laws were different. I want to ask our government officials to explain to me how alcohol which has been proven to kill people is legal yet marijuana, which I have yet to read about the person who smoked to death, has remained illegal. I have no big beef with alcohol. My husband enjoys having a few drinks and occasionally I have a class of wine but I get infuriated everytime I see some biased government official putting marijuana on the same level as heroin when in all actuality it is less harmful than most things your doctor would prescribe to you. I’ve been fed up for years and thought surely things would have changed by 2009.
I see now that I’ve ranted for a while, when I only meant to comment on the positive NBC interview. I really do hope and pray that this movement is taking off. Millions of lives would change.
“The hand that rocks the cradle” may well have just held a joint. Wake up America. Has anyone, especially our politicians, ever read the Constitution of the United States?
I DO. It is my contract with the government but they seem to have breached it some time ago. I plan to take it back with some Court action that I’m bring to them instead of waiting to be one of their victims.
Susie Sunshine # 35 ,
See the connection here between the ( legal ) Drug Companies and Marijuana ? Now you know why i was FIRST to say that it is Drug , Alcohol and Tobacco Companies that continue their unrelentless war against Marijuana by spending millions to do everything to snuff out marijuana .There only reason is their LUST and GREED for MONEY and ” POWER OVER THE WHOLE WORLD ” .
Im so excited to see this, its a great feeling to know theres so many others out there who do this. Im glad its finally being brought out that marijuana does not necessarily lead to unemployment, or laziness, or crime – successfull and moral adults can do it too.
And I love how this was compared to a glass of wine or a bubble bath, because thats exactly what it feels like to me. Its about time people starting seeing how pot isnt as harmful as everyone thinks – its not addictive, and it doesnt necessarily cause problems in ones life. In my opinion, alcohol is much more impairing and harmful.
Go stilleto stoners!
http://www.benefitsofmarijuana.com