2017/12/19 by Stephanie Geiger-Oneto, Stephanie Geiger‐Oneto, Travis Simkins · 17 citations
Health Professions · Medicine · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Business #Community Health and Development #Crime, Deviance, and Social Control #Identity (music) #Law #Legalization #Legitimacy #Legitimation #Normative #Political science #Politics #Psychology #Public relations #Recreation #Social group #Social identity theory #Social psychology #Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
paper · doi:10.1177/0276146717744245
published in Journal of Macromarketing 38(2), 206-217 (SAGE Publishing)
crossref issued 2017/12/19 · crossref published 2017/12/19 · crossref published-online 2017/12/19 · openalex publication_date 2017/12/19 · crossref created 2017/12/23 · crossref published-print 2018/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref deposited 2026/04/29 · crossref indexed 2026/07/31 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Using Social Identity Theory, this article explores the process by which a stigmatized consumption practice, namely recreational and medical marijuana use, has been gaining regulatory and normative legitimacy. An online panel (N=432) was surveyed about motivations to support the transition of a market from illegal to legal status from people who do not intend to directly participate in it. Consistent with Social Identity Theory, results indicated that that: (1) marijuana users reported a higher level of support for the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana than non-users; (2) status insecurity enhanced the level of support for legalizing medical marijuana among in-group members and decreased the level of support for out-group members (those not identifying with marijuana users). In addition, results suggested that non-users may engage in legitimation practices to benefit their communities rather than promoting individual level benefits. Overall, the present research provides a link between the micro level motivational processes of group members to support/oppose the transition of an illegal market to one with regulatory legitimacy.