Question

What three stages does Becker suggest an individual must go through in order to use marijuana for pleasure?

Answer 1

Answer:

According to Becker the three stages that an individual must go through in order to use Marijuana for pleasure are:

• Learning the technique — This involves learning the "right" way   to smoke the drug. Learning usually happens in the presence of others and or through observation;
• Learning to perceive the effects - According to Becker, the satisfaction from the 'being high' comes as a result of the symptoms and as well as ones ability to recognise the symptoms. When the novice learns to understand the symptoms, they become a source of "pleasure" to which they look forward to.
• Learning to enjoy the effects — Becker says that the effects are not pleasurable at the onset. The taste is acquired by reason of socialization with those who have come to appreciate the taste. Becker likens the acquisition of the taste for marijuana to how other tastes are acquired such as alcohol. Research shows that at the onset, the effects of marijuana may often be frightening, irritating and or abnormal  unless these can be redefined in the brain as pleasurable, then the subject may not  continue to use it.  

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