Marijuana users choose weed over food amid coronavirus lockdown, say getting stoned is better than being afraid
As the novel coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across the United States, a new survey conducted with close to 1,000 marijuana users has revealed several surprising statistics, including how some would prioritize the plant over basic necessities.
As of Tuesday, March 31, the WHO has reported over 697,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the world, with 122,653 of those coming from the US alone.
Most countries have imposed some sort of a lockdown and quarantine on its citizens in a bid to combat the outbreak, with only essential shops like groceries, pharmacies, petrol stations, and hospitals allowed to remain open.
In the absence of leisure activities outside, many are turning to other forms of entertainment, including recreational marijuana use.
In a survey published by American Marijuana and composed by cannabis advocates, cannabis specialists, and experienced cannabis writers, 990 marijuana consumers in the country were asked what they would do if the federal government imposed a lockdown.
Surprisingly, 17 percent of them, or 168, said they would prefer smoking weed during such a self-quarantine than even choosing to surf the internet (15%) or doing indoor exercises and sports (13%).
However, a vast majority (28%), still said they would binge-watch television shows, followed by around 27% who said they would spend their time doing hobbies like cooking and playing music.
The marijuana smokers were also asked to prioritize between the plant and other necessities that would be critical in getting through the pandemic, and most answered reasonably enough.
Across the board, they said they would prefer food, face masks, hand sanitizers, and toilet paper over marijuana, but there were still some eyebrow-raising results. 28 percent (or 277), said they would value marijuana over face masks, while five percent (close to 50), said they would pick marijuana even over food.
Out of the 990, 48.69 percent confirmed they had stocked up on marijuana because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 55 percent of those revealing they had done so to calm themselves during these distressing times. 23 percent said they did so because of fear of both the pandemic and in expectancy of a marijuana product shortage.
Of the 508 who decided against stockpiling the plant, 183 said they didn't do so because they didn’t worry at all about the marijuana product shortage while another 178 said they valued toilet papers, face masks, and hand sanitizers over marijuana products.
Those who participated in the survey were also asked if they had increased their marijuana use because of the pandemic, with 34 percent admitting they had. This might have had to do with how 40 percent (396) said they were "worried sick" about COVID-19.
The US currently has the highest number of novel coronavirus cases in the world, with the White House and Senate leaders of both parties striking an agreement last week on a sweeping $2 trillion stimulus package to aid workers, businesses and a healthcare system strained due to the outbreak.
The unprecedented economic rescue package would give direct payments to most Americans, expand unemployment benefits and provide a $367 billion-program for small businesses to keep making payroll while workers are forced to stay home.