Drug Use of the Hippies
When people think of Woodstock one of the first things they picture is hippies and a ton of drugs. Doing drugs was an easy way for hippies to break rules and protest, which is exactly what they did at Woodstock. The hippies believed that the culture was too conservative, prejudice, and corrupt (Kent). Hippies used drugs as a common ground to come together and unite. By taking something that was socially unacceptable and using it in such a blatant way to promote an even more unacceptable lifestyle, they believed that they had found a way to have fun while protesting (Kent). Hippies didn't just use drugs to have fun and "rage" like teens now a days. They did drugs to make a statement, experience the high, and have a good time while doing it.
Tripping on acid, smoking opium, snorting cocaine, using psychedelic mushrooms, and many other forms of getting high were frequently seen at Woodstock (Kent). Marijuana and LSD (Acid) were the most commonly used drugs throughout the festival. LSD was in the process of becoming extremely popular at the time. After 1-2 hours of ingesting the drug, visual awareness is heightened, sounds become enhanced, emotions and physical sensations are altered (Frater). The hippies used the drug to make a statement, and experience a trip like never before. Drugs at Woodstock brought people together. Asking someone for a joint or to join in on a smoking session was an easy way to break the ice and find a common joy between strangers (Kent).
At Woodstock drugs were technically illegal, but nothing was done to stop people from doing them unlike today. There was no security, so it was easy to bring drugs to the festival. There were no cops that would stop you from doing them, so drugs were done out in the open no problem. There were even specific tents set up called Acid tents that were for people that had bad trips. The hippies were free to do whatever they wanted because no one was stopping them.