Blunt Advice

By Ellie Carr

Dear Ellie,

Like many people I know, I've had a negative experience with edibles in the past. Still, I find myself intrigued and curious about the new CBD and THC combination edibles. I struggle with anxiety and am wondering if you have recommendations for using THC and CBD on a daily basis. I want to try edibles, but I can be a little sensitive to them and worry about their potency with daily use.

— Green Goddess

Dear Green Goddess,

Daily cannabis use is my favorite thing to do. There’s no shame in it, and I'll say that louder for the people in the back. Finding a product that works for you is crucial, even if it means trying new ones to discover what you don’t like. Daily cannabis use varies from person to person, but I'd love to share what has worked for me in the hope that it might help you too.

I can say that I am using cannabis in a more diverse and healthier way than I was just three years ago. It's an incredible time to be a weed smoker because our knowledge of the plant has expanded, and its medicinal and overall benefits are gaining widespread recognition and acceptance. While there was something special about smoking trim and the bits of leaves at the bottom of a baggie with friends behind the mall, I love my modern bud and edibles. Recent developments and trends in the world of cannabis have opened up new possibilities that we never had before.

My first experience with edibles was at the age of twenty-one, on my way to a concert with a friend. I had friends who prepared and packaged edibles, and managed to hook me up with two infused brownies that were 100mg each. On our way to the concert, we consumed both of the edibles, not realizing how potent they would be. The audacity of my early 20s . . . After a few hours and a somewhat other worldly experience, we left the concert before it even began, and I vowed never to touch an edible again.

It wasn't until recently that I started experimenting with 5:1 CBD and THC edibles. I began with a quarter, then a half, and now I consume the whole thing. Although these edibles aren't particularly high in THC, my past experience made me sensitive to edibles, and I’m always careful about what I consume as it is a different high than smoking cannabis.

I also struggle with anxiety and have tried various medications that ultimately didn't work. However, I've found that the 5:1 ratio, with 5 parts CBD and 1 part THC, is the perfect dose for the morning and helps calm my anxiousness and nervousness. Since CBD is non-psychoactive, a CBD-dominant product allows for a calm and relaxed high without experiencing fatigue or paranoia. It can even make you feel energized and clear-headed at the same time. I highly recommend this dose to anyone looking to incorporate daily cannabis use, especially those seeking an alternative to smoking or wanting to give their lungs a break.

While there is a pure CBD option available, I've found the experience much more enjoyable when there's THC present. THC and CBD complement each other, enhancing the overall effects.

At a cannabis fair a few weeks ago, I discovered something called CBN (Cannabinol), which isn't as popular as CBD but is gaining recognition due to its potential benefits for sleep and pain management. It's also said that when you resist drowsiness while using CBN, it can turn it into an aphrodisiac. I suggest giving this a try, if you’re looking for a night routine as well.

As always, the right dosage varies from person to person, but these are some of my go-to dosages that provide a less psychoactive experience, alleviate my anxiety, and, in my opinion, offer a relaxing and calm high while still allowing for productivity and good energy. Experiment with cannabis in a safe and relaxing environment, and have fun with it.

Dear Ellie,

My wife and I recently attended a BBQ at our friend’s house and brought a joint to smoke later in the evening. Their kids, who are in their early teens, were also at the party. When I took out the joint, my friend asked me to wait until the kids went to bed. I couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed about bringing it in the first place. After we left the party, I wondered, is it okay to consume weed around my kids?

— Cannabliss

Dear Cannabliss,

The question of whether we can consume cannabis around kids is, well, a tricky one.

Answers vary based on individual preferences and choices regarding exposure to cannabis. Most of the parents I know tend to consume cannabis discreetly, either by taking gummies at night to relax or occasionally smoking a joint in secluded corners of their backyard only after their kids have gone to sleep. I think location is a huge factor in cannabis exposure. I grew up in northern California where cannabis culture was widely accepted and was the economic lifeline for many families in the area, but when I moved to the suburbs of Arizona, the cannabis culture was very different.

I now live in New York, where cannabis has been legal for recreational use since 2022. A few months ago, I attended a birthday party at a friend’s house, where I knew the majority of the crowd, and had smoked weed with them many times before. I brought homemade infused honey as a gift, and since I had extra, decided to give a few jars to other people. When I offered the jars, I noticed that people discreetly stashed them in their purses, deep in their jean pockets, and the host had placed one of the jars in a small, hidden cabinet above their stove. Technically, it would have been perfectly legal for us to enjoy the honey together, but instead of anyone making that suggestion, we continued to drink our alcoholic beverages (excessively) and act as if no cannabis was present at the party

I don’t have kids myself, so I decided to ask a few parents I know whether or not they consume weed in front of their little ones. One friend say they sneak away for a toke, but he’d never smoke in in front of his daughter, and that the same rules apply to alcohol. While my other friend said she didn’t mind if her kids see her using cannabis, which she often does on the patio while they’re inside, but she ensures they are not exposed to the smoke. While we might wish that cannabis use is widely accepted as a social norm, it hasn't quite reached that level yet. And I think the question is less about whether or not we can consume cannabis around our kids, and more about how do we culturally handle recreational use of marijuana?

My exposure to alcohol and cigarettes occurred at a very young age. My family frequently hosted parties and barbecues where alcohol and cigarettes were present, and as a child, I viewed this as normal. It was there, and I had no issues with it, nor did anyone seem concerned about my exposure. Even dining at restaurants, or grocery shopping, children are exposed to alcohol and cigarettes. Reimagining this to be cannabis, isn't something we’ve done yet. We're not walking into a local grocery store and seeing weed on the shelves, although that would be a dream. In states that have legalized cannabis, legally, having a glass of wine or a beer is no different from smoking a joint. But culturally, we are still grappling with the concept of recreational marijuana use.

My advice is not to be too hard on yourself or your friends for being cautious about their cannabis use around children. Consume cannabis around your family in a manner that suits your comfort level. I believe that exposure to cannabis is valuable, not in the sense of kids using it underage, but in understanding that cannabis exists, and they may encounter it at some point in their lives, whether or not they choose to partake.

In some cases, families raise their children on cannabis farms, where early exposure is inevitable, as it's a family business. Teaching your children about cannabis and how to use it safely is a reasonable approach, similar to discussing topics like sex. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, as people's preferences and opinions vary, but I believe there's no shame in educating our children about cannabis in the same way we do with alcohol, cigarettes, and prescription medications. Respecting people's decisions is crucial, and remember that your cannabis journey is unique and personal, and when compared to others, will surely look different.

Got a cannabis question? Send it to Ellie at ellie@cbtsmagazine.com