Soap opera reflect and influence opinions in unexpected ways.
Since they first appeared in 1949, they have captured the audience’s imagination. Whether nighttime or daytime they talesof sex, power, love, betrayal and more wooed viewers and kept them entertained. Daytime soap operas become addictive and up to the premier of streaming, a part of what the country thought. Â And in so, soap operas reflect the changing status of cannabis. All My Children, One Life to Life, Days of our Lives, and more built legions of fans who grappled with some of the issues discussed openly in a comfortable setting. The approach to birth control, war, divorce, drug use, mixed relationships and more evolved and continues to reflect the current public opinion. Â Almost 90% of the US believe cannabis should be legal in some form and AARP believes it has benefits. Â And soap operas had a hand in the change.
Historically, soap operas have addressed various substances, including marijuana, often using them as plot devices to create dramatic tension. In the late 20th century, drug use was frequently depicted in exaggerated scenarios that highlighted the dangers of addiction and substance abuse. For instance, characters were shown experiencing dramatic consequences from drug use, such as overdoses or legal troubles, which served as cautionary tales for viewers. Often, sometime was slipped it and consumed unknowlying, leading them down a path of addiction and bad behavior. As cannabis become more popular, the marijuana become my accepted, like alcohol.
Soap operas played a role in acceptance of medical marijuana. In a General Hospital plot line, Dr. Patrick Drake included discussions about medical marijuana. The show has been known for addressing contemporary issues, and this particular plotline explored the benefits of marijuana for patients dealing with chronic pain and other medical conditions. The portrayal aimed to reflect real-life conversations surrounding the use of medical cannabis, showcasing its potential therapeutic effects in a dramatic context.
Recent studies indicate that nearly half of soap opera viewers recall instances of marijuana use within the shows they watch. This suggests that marijuana is becoming a normalized element of storytelling in this genre. The portrayal of marijuana in soap operas often reflects societal attitudes towards the drug, which have shifted significantly over the years due to changing laws and cultural perceptions.
On the show One Life to Live, the character Natalie Buchanan highlighted the struggles of patients seeking alternative treatments for their ailments, including the use of medical marijuana. This type of entertainment also made the discussion about cancer a topic to be discussed, not hidden.
Eventually, it become normalized. In fact, a couple of characters, one on Somerset and one on One Life TO Live, always looked stoned, but the writers never came out and said it.
Early pioneers in the industry become inadvertent advocates. Rather than do the conventional drug addiction plot, writer/creator Agnes Nixon decided she had to do something extra to make contact with young people home from school for the summer months. She had cameras go to the real life Odyssey House drug treatment center and film Craig/Levitt talking with real drug patients who discussed their own real addictions with great dramatic impact. The resulting blend of fact and fiction was revolutionary for TV
Marijuana’s portrayal in daytime soap operas serves not only as entertainment but also as a reflection of evolving societal attitudes toward drug use. As these shows continue to explore themes related to marijuana, they contribute to ongoing conversations about its implications for health and society.
