The Dichotomy of Marijuana Terrance Lafromboise University of Montana Marijuana has issues with perception. While many view it as a gateway drug to harder substances, others keep an open mind to its health benefits. When consuming marijuana you can develop problematic use known as marijuana use disorder (MUD); however, it doesn't take a form of an addiction until severe use. This includes individuals that are unable to abstain from the drug regardless of the personal issues it imposes (NIDA, 2017-2). Compared to other ethnicities, research has shown that Native Americans use illegal substances like marijuana at more significant rates (Mitchell, 2003). Throughout this paper, it will illustrate what marijuana is and how the addiction impacts …show more content…
In 2012, 42.6% of Americans aged 12 and older reported lifetime marijuana use" (Johnson, et al., 2015). Considering individuality, adolescence is the developmental period in which most people initially use marijuana (Johnson, et al., 2015). Biologically Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, all have a deep-rooted trauma that becomes a precursor of substance abuse in many. "Historical trauma refers to the traumatic experiences undergone by members or descendants of a national, religious or racial/ethnic group, historically or at present times, because of colonization, war, genocide, or other forms of social, political, and cultural subjugation" (Pokhrel & Herzog, 2014). While historical trauma increasingly receives attention in relation to the mental and physical health of Native Americans, researchers have argued that historical trauma is inter-generationally transmitted. Therefore, not only those who experience trauma first-hand but also later generations may continue to experience some form of traumatic events or may have internalized the trauma as transmitted to them biologically, socially, and culturally (Pokhrel & Herzog, …show more content…
However, during these stages, it is most notable that peers begin to impact values and life choices with family influences becoming less influential. (Swaim & Stanley, 2016). As previously stated, family variables of substance abuse in individuals include the family structure, family attitude towards drug use, family communication regarding substance abuse, family involvement, parental monitoring, and family conflict (Swaim & Stanley, 2016). This family construct is the is the social paradigm that leads us to the community impact of individuals, and families that make up a Native American