An Investigation into Downhill Snowsports and Marijuana Use Rocky Mountain High An Investigation into Downhill Snowsports and Marijuana Use Silas Phillips

https://zenpype.com/5-habits-of-a-responsible-stoner/ Stoner https://zenpype.com/5-habits-of-a-responsible-stoner/

Stoner https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ski/articles/how-to-cheat-your-way-to-skiing-like-a-pro/

Abstract This intensely physical activity contradicts stereotypical ‘stoner’ behavior. “Why do people ski or snowboard and use marijuana?” Ethnographic exploration of the culture of downhill snow-sports (skiing and snowboarding) and its interplay with the use and experience of marijuana.

Methods 9 participants, ages 18-35, 6 male, 3 female Snowball sampling 4 participant observation sessions Semi-structured interviews

Theoretical Framework Understanding Drugs and Drug Use Biochemical Approach Anthropological and Social Science Approach Social constructivism: Becker, Derrida Psychological Theory Flow Theory Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Flow:The Psychology of Optimal Experience

Findings

Marijuana Specific Findings Inductive assignment of indica vs sativa Head high, body high Smoking vs. eating: manageability Marijuana as a learned experience https://sensiseeds.com/en/info/faq/difference-between-indica-and-sativa/

Performance Related Findings “One thing that pot does is it narrows your view to where you’re focusing on one thing.” “It brings your awareness into your body.” “You don’t see an end. You only see the start. Like the next 10 feet.”

Social Findings “I ski with people more than I ski alone and that’s often a friend, or sometimes a group of friends.” “There are people that I’ll go to the mountain with and smoke with and there are people I’ll just go to the mountain and ski with…different social groups.” “I feel way more conscious about not getting hurt when I’m alone. I’m definitely a little more bold with people.” “It’s an excuse to slow down… like you’re thinking about smoking that weed, but sitting down, hanging out with people, that’s what you wanted out of the experience.”

Conclusions Two emergent motives for why people smoke marijuana and go skiing. Both hinge on the idea that marijuana’s effects result in a narrowing, focusing, or directing of one’s attention. Focus on internal experience Focus on external experience https://www.wya.net/op-ed/why-we-need-to-focus/

Internal Experience Enhancing a sense of self-consciousness. “It brings your awareness into your body.” Awareness of one’s bodily perception while skiing. Form and technique, muscle tension, pain/soreness. Connected to indicas and edibles. ‘Body high.’ Connected to solo skiing.

External Experience Loss of self-consciousness. “I’m more in the moment. I’m fearless, more so. I don’t think about all the consequences.” Accessing psychological states of flow. Connected to sativas and smoking as a medium. ‘Head high.’ Connected to skiing with people.

Social Constructions Indica/sativa inductively assigned by users Socially constructed domain applied to substance Chemical realities far more complex Becker and Derrida

Sociality and Reflection Skiing is individualistic not conducive to conversation, group sociality. http://stonerschematics.com/2011/06/11/pass-it-to-the-left/ Social nature of marijuana: opportunity for… Rest Reflection: intellectual understanding of intuitive ‘flow’ state.

Conclusion People smoke marijuana and go skiing and snowboarding for a sense of presentness. To “let muscle memory take over.” To “take a moment, to collect.” To have a blast with their friends. http://www.thcfinder.com/marijuana-blog/culture/2013/12/smokin-on-the-slopes-colorado-ski-resorts-issue-weed-warning-as-legalization-nears