Today’s music more commonly includes the term marijuana
A recent study that was published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine revealed an interesting fact. In reviewing the songs that have made it to the Billboard Top 40 music charts from 1986 to 2016, “marijuana” is increasingly becoming a popular term in songs, parallel to its increase in acceptance among the population. The study screened for the instances of any drugs or alcohol in today’s songs.
According to Marijuana Moment’s Kyle Jaeger, “During the time period under review, references for all categories except tobacco increased. The first mentions of cannabis appeared in 1989, for example, with fewer than five references in that year’s top 40 chart, as ranked by Billboard. But by 2016, there were more than 30 marijuana references, more than for any other substance tracked in [the] study.”
There have been a number of songs over the past almost a hundred years that have touched the marijuana subject. Cab Callaway sang of the “Reefer Man” in 1938 and “Puff the Magic Dragon” was reportedly singing about marijuana use. However, there are now more prevalent than ever.
Society has always tried to ban certain products – or ideas – that weren’t always agreeable. Prohibition was a complete disaster and an attempt to ban music in the 70s that referenced anything related to drugs didn’t work. However, we’re clearly seeing a surge – or resurgence – in the music-marijuana mix as the truth becomes more understood regarding the positive benefits the natural plant can provide.
