THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

HOW DOES CANNABIS FIT INTO FAMILY GATHERINGS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

by Chynna Pearson

The holidays are coming fast! Thanksgiving and Christmas are around the corner followed shortly by the New Year... 2021 has passed us by in a flash. It’s almost hard to believe that 2022 is coming so soon. On top of that, there is lots of stress. Visiting family and having to provide gifts for so many people means some of us need to figure out how we can get cannabis mixed into our family events. This situation could be due to emotional pain, physical pain, or simply the need to relax, whatever your choice there are ways to fit cannabis in without feeling like the family stoner.

Cannabis has evolved and it’s time for the way some of us view cannabis to evolve with it. Cannabis is no longer something that you have to buy from an 18-year-old in a hoodie dealing behind the library. No more dime bags full of stems and seeds.

There are no more movies like Reefer Madness or those commercials where teens are deflated into the couch.

Christmas are aroundthe corner followedshortly by the NewYear... 2021 has passedus by in a flash. It’salmost hard to believethat 2022 is coming sosoon. On top of that,there is lots of stress.Visiting family andhaving to provide giftsfor so many peoplemeans some of us needto figure out how we canget cannabis mixed intoour family events.Now, we have tons of states that allow for restaurants to allow cannabis smoking and even serve THC infused drinks and foods.

Some cannabis stores even look like they’re owned by Apple. We have truly come a long way. (Personally, I can’t wait to see how far we can go in the next 60 years. I’d like to see my grandkids casually and safely using cannabis in the way we always wanted to.)

There are a lot of different ways to get cannabis to fit into family gatherings too. These do depend on how legal the state you live in is so choose whichever fits your situation and family most. You may even need to mix them up a little to suit things perfectly.

Here are a few options:

OPTION 1:

To integrate cannabis into a family gathering can be as simple as bringing out a THC salve and letting whoever wants to try some. This method will open up the floor for more talk about cannabis and it’s many different uses. From this, the conversation might open up to some people wanting to try edibles or other types of cannabis consumption. If you came prepared, this is when you offer some of your edibles. (I recommend getting low doses if some of your family wants some. It’s never fun to be scared or paranoid after eating a cookie.) Then as your time with your family continues when you go outside to smoke a bowl or a joint, your family will be much more accepting and will likely have constructive questions that you can answer with knowledge.

OPTION 2:

If you want to just go for it, since your family already knows that you use cannabis, bring a THC infused wine or something else that feels classy and fancy for the family to try.

This is a really amazing way to get cannabis into the conversation. By showing your family that cannabis isn’t just THC infused candy bars or something else that seems just as ridiculous to them, you can begin to use cannabis in peace.

Do not try to force anyone to try the wine either, let them come on their own and then start explaining it as they get more comfortable with the idea of cannabis being infused into alcohol.

(For some this combination may not be the best idea, but one glass of wine shouldn’t be too much for anyone to handle.) If your family is less into wines, try out some fancy chocolates or even THC crystals that have no flavor but infuse THC into

OPTION 3:

If you’d rather not let people know that you partake in cannabis and want to tell them at a different time, you can always simply bring edibles and microdose yourself as needed. With this method, you may relax

enough to begin talking about cannabis and it’s uses with the family. By hiding that you have cannabis with you it can be difficult to begin to talk about cannabis without examples.

For this, if you feel comfortable enough, it may be a good idea to either have websites saved or bring a magazine or two that are all about cannabis and how to use it safely.

Although the conversation about cannabis may be uncomfortable to you, it may be beneficial in the long run to have explained cannabis to your family.

It may even lead to one of them reaching out and wanting to try a salve for their arthritis or even an edible to try to sleep more soundly.

BONUS (BALLSY) OPTION:

This one may sound like a joke but seriously just pretend everyone is okay with it. For example, just pack a bowl or roll a joint in your room and walk outside with it.

Once you’re finished, come back in and change clothes and act like it is just a regular part of life, like having a cigarette on the porch.

Once you’re finished, come back in and change clothes and act like it is just a regular part of life, like having a cigarette on the porch. This way tells the family around you that this isn’t a big deal and doesn’t have to be treated as one, especially since when you come back in, you act normal.

If they were worried you’d be something akin to drunk or completely goofy and unreasonable, you’ll have proved them wrong. This method straight up proves that what you are doing is more for medicine and relaxation than for partying.

If people ask about what happened outside, tell them and let them know that everything is fine and begin answering any questions they may have. If you choose to do any of these things, I wish you all the luck. As cannabis is no longer a party drug and has transitioned itself into being considered a medicine, it is time cannabis can be as acceptable as bringing in a bottle of wine or Hennesy to a party. As time goes on, we can only hope that one-day cannabis is just as fine to bring to places as any alcohol. It’s up to us to begin this transition so future generations can be comfortable in comparison to us.