Posts about Weed are trending on Steemit. Will Steemit become the "Silk Road of Social Media?"
As many of you have probably already noticed, an article about Weed is the #2 top trending article today. There's also a noticeable increase in weed posts overall.
I think not downvoting this might be shortsighted, here's why:
My initial reaction was to downvote and I did. My rationale was that as a Steem Power holder, it is my responsibility to do what I can to help Steemit grow to reach a mainstream audience. Marijuana use in my opinion is still a niche and controversial topic and would inhibit mainstream adoption of the site. This is similar to what happened with Bitcoin when it was characterized by the media as a currency for drug dealers, which scared off mainstream entities such as major banks. Given Steemit is uncensorable, there is potential Steemit will become the "Silkroad of Social Media".
On the other hand, this might be a stroke of genius, here's why:
Again using the Bitcoin analogy. The use of Bitcoin for drug transactions on the dark web is what gave Bitcoin it's initial use case. This effectively allowed Bitcoin to have value and bootstrap it's way to the potential mainstream applications we see today (see Abra Global and 21, Inc). In addition, public opinion on Marijuana use is softening and is increasingly being decriminalized and legalized in many states. Assuming this trend continues, Steemit could be on the cutting edge and ride the wave of increasing acceptance of Marijuana from the mainstream. Which will allow Steemit to leapfrog incumbent social media platforms like Facebook.
That's my 2 Steems on the subject. Let me know what you think is in the best interest of Steemit in the comment section below.
As an investor, think about doing the right thing.. Not what is popular. This is how you invest before the rush happens. Do the right thing and you'll be in the right place at the right time one day soon.
Actually you make a good point. In the real long term, Marijuana will be legalized and normalized. So maybe this is actually a good thing and we're ahead of the curve?
Cannabis prohibition is definitely ending. The massive monolith of ignorance will take a while to crumble. We'll be free to talk society down from this intolerance binge it's been on for a generation now. ;)
I, for one, will be watching what happens with steemit and cannabis. I'm looking forward to legally being able to send my cannabis around the world, perhaps steemit will help in that regard. :D
Keep it Clean!
Why don't you try accessing the dark markets through Tor?
I'm a family man, author and Dad.
Not interested in doing illegal things anymore. Now that I live in Colorado, I don't have to. Appreciate the suggestion though.
You dare question bernie?!?
It is controversial, but in the real world it's gaining an incredible amount of traction. One only needs to look at Washington and Colorado for examples, with many other states OKing medical marijuana. Honestly, I find that to be okay. Look at the stigma attached to it...it's all but completely incorrect. Even the Fed has labeled it something it isn't - a narcotic. Posts like that should be okay, even though many people have an aversion to it for one reason or another. Frankly, I can't wait for people to have that aversion to tobacco and alcohol, completely flipping the current story.
But, just as with anything, transitions are hard.
Do you think Bitcoin's reputation and long term potential was hurt by Silk Road?
I might not be the right person to ask this question, as my knowledge of both is limited.
I appreciate your honesty.
in my college days smoking marijuana, now I dont do, for me it is an issue that should not be ignored but neither trending.
I must add that thanks to this trend dared me to write a bit of pskonauta and how to achieve advanced states of mind without the use of hallucinogens
Sounds interesting, I'll check out your article.