Testing the Hypothesis 2

Who: Are there certain people or certain businesses that, although they share a lot in common with the others in your opportunity, nevertheless fall outside the boundary? Why?

What: At what point does the need you identified differ from another need? (Is thirst the same as hunger? Or is the desire to appear fashionable the same as the desire to be loved by others?)

Why: Is the underlying cause of the outsiders' need different than people who are inside the boundary?

Interview 1: Alyssa L (college student)

Why don’t you have this need like many other college students do?

“I really just never got into using marijuana.  It’s never been that attractive of an option for me and I just haven’t tried it.  I’m not against others using it, though.”

How does this need differ from others like it?

“The need itself really doesn’t differ from others like it, other than the substance itself is illegal.  College kids drink when they are underage and that’s illegal, too.”

So what are your thoughts on marijuana as opposed to alcohol?

“I’m 21, so I can legally drink.  No one in Florida, other than medical users, can legally use marijuana.  Other than that, they aren’t very different.  Both are depressants and they both put you in a different state of mind than when you aren’t using.”

Interview 2: Tomas R (student)

What do you have against the use of marijuana?

“For me, it’s a personal thing.  I don’t mind others using it, but I want to do the best I can in college without distractions like weed.”

Do people smoke for the same reason others drink?

“In some situations, yes.  I think weed is usually something a close group of friends uses as a relaxing, calm bonding experience.  I sometimes see people have similar experiences just drinking beer with their boys.  But alcohol seems to have many more different situations to use it in.”

Interview 3: Jojo C (college student)

Do you have anything against using marijuana?

“Kind of.  I’m not really a big fan of it.”

Even though you’re a regular, stressed-out college student?

“Yeah, I just don’t see the need.  If other people want to do it, they can.  But I just relieve stress differently.”

Do you think other people’s stresses differ from your own and that’s why they use?

“Everyone has their own reasons for being stressed, but I don’t think I’m a minor case.  Everyone just has their own method for fixing that stress.  There isn’t much of a difference in the base problem.”

Interview 4: John K (injured)

Why don’t you smoke?  It’s common for people with injuries like yours.

“It would probably be a really simple way to ease my pain, but I think I’m almost healthy now.  I don’t think I’ll have to get to that point.”

How do others handle pain like this?

“Most people I know end up smoking weed.  It’s easy and they say it’s the most effective option they’ve tried.  I just use the prescribed painkillers the way I’m supposed to.”

Interview 5: Melissa S (parent)

I said that stressed parents may make great use of smoking weed to relieve that stress.  Why don’t you?

“I don’t want to have to rely on a substance to ‘get through’ parenting.  I drink every now and then, but that’s for fun with friends.  Not to escape the stress of my children.”

What do you do instead?   There must be something.

“I prefer exercise or a hot bath, but I understand why some people would want to use marijuana.  They’re just alternative solutions for a similar problem.”

Inside	Outside
Who is in? -Still college kids, parents, people with injuries, etc.  But, method of fixing their problem is preferential	Who is not? -Those who prefer methods other than smoking weed
What the need is -A method of stress relief, a substance for recreational use, and a pain reliever	What the need is not -A perfect answer to everyone’s stress, fun, and injury-related concerns
Why the need exists -Known for its effectiveness in all of those areas	Alternative explanations -Some people just prefer different methods.  The mom likes baths and exercise, the injured guy just uses his prescription, the college students just don’