Parents who consume cannabis have long preached the benefits of weed in their daily lives. Still, when cannabis is legalized, many voice concerns for children with 420-friendly parents. A recent study validates pot smokers, showing that parents who safely consumed cannabis were more apt to shower their children in love and warmth while being sensitive to their needs.
“Despite concerns that cannabis use could cause child abuse and neglect or other forms of negative parenting,” researchers wrote, “our study found that aggressive discipline was not related to cannabis use in the same or subsequent period after controlling for characteristics of the parents.”
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First ever pot parenting research
This pilot exploratory study surveyed cannabis-consuming parents to understand more about how, when, and why they consumed. The questions also centered on whether children were present during these times. Parents in the greater Sacramento, Calif. area were surveyed, with 77 people responding over a 15-day assessment period. They received cash incentives to answer the surveys totaling $100 upon completion.
Eligible parents included those who consume cannabis, are English-speaking, have one child between two and 12, have at least 50 percent custody, and have a smartphone. Participants were recruited by flyers and in dispensaries. Once verified, each parent completed a total of five surveys a day. Those with multiple children were asked to choose a focus child for the breadth of responses.
Participants corresponded through a mobile app that sent five survey reminders daily. Researchers timed these reminders strategically for before school, lunchtime, immediately after school, dinner, and common bedtimes. Timing surveys with these developmental moments focused data on active parenting moments.
Parenting measures were referred to as “positive parenting,” filled with support, love, and understanding, and “aggressive discipline,” where a child is called names or caused physical pain. Over 71 surveys were monitored, split into blocks focusing on positive and aggressive styles.
The surveys asked questions about cannabis consumption, discipline, and time to place when these things may correlate. There was “no relationship” between aggressive discipline and using weed. The data does connect cannabis consumption with loving, sensitive parenting moments.
“Parents have significantly higher odds of reporting positive parenting behaviors in the same time frame when they report using cannabis,” researchers wrote.
Cannabis may lead to more ‘positive parenting’ choices
An interesting data point showed that parents who consumed edibles were more apt to engage in aggressive discipline, while those who vaped were not. Researchers posited that this may be due to the intense effects of edibles, which may impact decision-making. It may also be due to a quick onset of vaping compared to the 15 to 40-minute onset of ingesting weed.
Research on the social impact of cannabis legalization on parenting exists, but most compare those who do and don’t smoke weed. This is one of the first to look into and dissect a group filled solely with pot-smoking parents. Focusing on this sect develops insight into potential parenting education for legal states.
For now, weed parents can rest easy that they are probably not messing up their kids by being high in their presence.
