Stigma, and how to break it down, is a hot topic these days as cannabis laws expand who has access and polls show the majority in favor legalization. The word legitimacy is used less frequently, but the two are interconnected, and relate to medicalization. In our talk we discuss findings from dozens of in-depth patient interviews that form the basis of our new book, The Medicalization of Marijuana: Legitimacy, Stigma, and the Patient Experience. Hear about the different ways that patients encounter stereotypes and manage stigma in medical interactions and combat stigma in everyday life.