Discourses used by members of a virtual social community regarding the legalization of Cannabis

In recent years discussion has been increasing regarding changes in policies regulating the consumption of psychoactive substances, especially marijuana. The virtual environment can be used as an important area to explore the construction of meaning organized around a certain theme. The aim of this study was to analyze the discourses used by members of a virtual social network that deals with issues related to legalization of this substance. Qualitative study, using the social constructionist theoretical framework. Data were collected in a virtual community that discusses topics related to marijuana. For the data analysis discourse analysis was used. Five discourses were identified: the human rights discourse, the medical discourse, the financial discourse, the legal/criminal discourse and the religious discourse. With the use of different discourses, different policies may be suggested to deal with the issue. Understanding how this topic has been approached by other countries helps in thinking about changes in Brazilian policies. Considering that science is not neutral, the different positions on the issue should also be considered as embedded in a socio-economic-political-ideological.