Dissertation
Marijuana normalization and media framing
University of Iowa
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
Spring 2022
DOI: 10.25820/etd.006577
Abstract
ABSTRACTThis mixed-methods exploration into how media coverage of cannabis contributes to marijuana normalization brings a deeper understanding of the variety of narratives that are employed in marijuana media coverage. This is important because an understanding of the types of narratives that surround cannabis legalizations can lead to improvements in how racist, sexist, and classist injustices are addressed in media coverage of future state-level legalizations of marijuana and other prohibited substances. This two-part sequential exploratory study develops a system for categorizing marijuana media content that: is based on concepts associated with political identity and social stigma research; can be utilized to analyze a vast amount of news content; and can deepen our understandings of how the news media can frame stories about cannabis-related issues and contribute to marijuana normalization in the era following the first U.S. state-level legalizations of recreational cannabis (i.e., 2012 to 2018).
The results of this study demonstrate that there are recurring narratives in news media coverage of marijuana that have interesting implications related to the connections between political identity and marijuana stigma. Results indicate that while white males do experience privileged normalization, there is an increasing awareness of the sexism, classism, and racism that is associated with marijuana prohibition and stigma. This investigation shows that traditional marijuana stigma still exists, but in a modified form.
Keywords: public policy, political identity, cannabis legalization, social stigma
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Marijuana normalization and media framing
- Creators
- Sam Babin
- Contributors
- Kylah Hedding (Advisor)Kajsa Dalrymple (Committee Member)Sarah Harkness (Committee Member)Thomas Oates (Committee Member)Julianna Pacheco (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Mass Communication
- Date degree season
- Spring 2022
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.006577
- Number of pages
- vii, 168 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2022 Sam Babin
- Language
- English
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 144-151).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
This mixed-methods exploration into how media coverage of cannabis contributes to marijuana normalization brings a deeper understanding of the variety of narratives that are employed in marijuana media coverage. This is important because an understanding of the types of narratives that surround cannabis legalizations can lead to improvements in how racist, sexist, and classist injustices are addressed in media coverage of future state-level legalizations of marijuana and other prohibited substances.
- Academic Unit
- School of Journalism and Mass Communication
- Record Identifier
- 9984271154902771
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