Weed is trending, but for whom exactly? Celebrities and more especially music artists are a group of public figures who have for years been displaying that they smoke weed.
People consume marijuana for different reasons, and for some, it could be for health benefits or to fire up their productivity or creativity.
With laws in the country prohibiting public consumption, this has never stopped many people from displaying that side on public platforms.
Artists such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, DJ Maphorisa, AKA, A-Reece and Emtee (to name a few) are amongst those who publicly smoke weed and have shared that on their public platforms.
The trend is now even all over their music lyrics, penning about being stoned and getting high. We also got a recent hit ‘Dipatje Tsa Felo’ by Felotee entirely about weed.
Well-known local influencers, both male and female, have also hopped on the trend, making it a fabulous-look-alike thing to do.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with cannabis being granted the glossy sheen of “lifestyle trend,” but it’s problematic when those doing so fail to consider the sociopolitical dynamics.
Without ignoring their massive influence, we know that celebrities are role models to the youth, so if they are smoking weed and displaying it on social media, then what will the youth do?
Though cannabis has been enthusiastically adopted within the art and wellness space, there are still serious limitations on who can comfortably consume and create a business without fear of getting caught.
Weed and CBD oil seem to be sneaking their way into everything from food, and skincare to beverages, to the point where this feels like it could be the defining lifestyle trend in the coming future.
With so many public figures making this a cool thing to do, should they be blamed? Should society be worried?
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