With cannabis consumption becoming more commonplace and legalization spreading, people are no longer hiding in the shadows to have a smoke. The annual holiday “cousin’s walk” is a beloved tradition, and THC drinks are making their way next to the apple cider and egg nog. But what if your parents have become canna-curious, and you’re considering inviting them for a toke?
You may feel awkward just thinking about asking your parents to light up. But if you can get past the initial cringe, you might just be rewarded. Search the term “smoke weed with parents” on Twitter or Reddit and you’ll find a string of *mostly* ecstatic reviews, claiming smoking weed with family members can be a deeply bonding experience, as well as a fun time.
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Of course, you have to do it right.
In the cannabis world, there’s an unspoken rulebook for almost every occasion—even smoking with mom and dad. There’s a way to make it cringy, and a way to make it fun. Fortunately, we’ve got everything you need to be sure it’s the latter.
Keep reading to learn the unspoken etiquette of smoking cannabis with your parents.
Rule #1: Communicate
We get that talking to your parents about cannabis is easier said than done. But if you’re going to do it, pick a time when they’re not stressed or busy. Then, remain cool, calm, and collected when you pop the question.
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Try saying something like, “Hey, so you probably know that I enjoy smoking weed. Would you have any interest in smoking weed with me sometime?”
If your parents say no, don’t sweat it. You could always revisit the topic down the road or find another family member to smoke with.
If they say yes…read on.
Rule #2: Consume high-quality products
If your parents have agreed to get high with you, you want to provide them with the best products possible to avoid a negative experience. Seek out regulated cannabis, preferably with a higher concentration of CBD (remember, pot back in your parent’s day was a lot less potent).
If you don’t have a pre-made stash for them to pick from, go to a licensed dispensary together. It may be a great educational experience. You can explore different cannabis products such as joints, buds, vapes, edibles, and tinctures. And once you pick your method of getting high, you can look at various cannabis strains and decide what fits their mood best.
Rule #3: Be prepared… for anything
Before your parents come over, you’ll need to do some prep.
First off, make sure you have enough weed to go around and snacks for the inevitable munchies. You also want to have plenty of water on deck to stay hydrated.
Second, have something to do while you wait for the high to kick in (especially if you’re using edibles). Have some games to play, movies to watch, or topics of conversation at the ready. You could also take that time to have dinner (and then, of course, dive into a bag of chips later).
Rule #5: Remember safety first
PSA: You should never smoke and drive.
So if you don’t all live in the same place, make arrangements for the end of the night. For example, if your parents come over to your place, you could set them up in a guest bedroom or order them an Uber at the end of the night. Or if one parent doesn’t want to smoke, they could be the designated driver.
Rule #6: Start low and go slow
When consuming with someone who is new to the game (or hasn’t been on the scene for many years), it’s important to ease them in. If you’re smoking or vaping, have your parent take one small hit (maybe count to two on the inhale) and then wait for a few minutes before deciding to take another.
With edibles, patience is even more important. Have mom and dad start with 2.5 milligrams and wait for a minimum of 30 minutes. Infused foods can take a long time to kick in, and some people may not feel the effects for up to two hours. It’s far better to decide to take more than wishing you’d taken less from the jump.
So, why not?
Smoking weed with your parents may be the most uncomfortable thing you’ve ever done. But it could also be extraordinary. You may find a new favorite family activity or have that heart-to-heart you’ve been craving with them. You’ll never know unless you try.