High-minded tips for consuming cannabis with grace.
Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or you’re just getting started, these practical tips on cannabis etiquette will help guide you.
Respect the space and situation.
Before blazing, take a look around and make sure you’re in a safe spot to consume. Private locations are best. Never assume it’s okay to light up if you’re not in your own home. Asking your host for permission is always the way to go. When at an event, there are a few factors to consider: if it’s a larger soiree and you’re not sure about consumption, be discreet. If it’s a smaller affair and everyone is on the same page, be inclusive.
Educate yourself and others.
Learning as much as you can about cannabis will help you have positive experiences. Research, reference, talk with professionals. Also, try keeping a journal about what you’re consuming and how different products affect you. Note your mood, what you’ve eaten that day, the quality of your sleep, as well as cannabinoid percentages and dosage information, to better understand your relationship with certain products and how effective they are in helping you achieve your desired results. Many dispensaries now sell cannabis logbooks and journals. With this information, you’ll be able to advise someone who’s not not familiar with cannabis and help them make wiser decisions.
Know when to say when.
Everyone’s tolerance is different. Stay in the conversation and avoid going sideways by knowing your dose. Hydrate. If necessary, take smaller puffs, skip your turn in rotation or opt to micro-dose using a vaporizer. Setting your intentions before you consume can help you stay on track.
Learn methods for reducing cannabis-induced anxiety.
Coupled with energizing and alerting terpenes like pinene and eucalyptol, today’s high THC batches can be particularly anxiety-provoking. Ask your budtender for strains lower in THC. Or look for something with pronounced levels of myrcene or linalool, two primary cannabis terpenes known for their relaxant properties. Additionally, CBD balances out the anxiety-inducing euphoria caused by THC. So either choose a strain high in CBD or choose both high THC and CBD strains and consume them together to best suit your needs.
Always let people know what they’re consuming.
Avoid unwanted surprises by accurately labeling canna-infused edibles and strain containers. If you’re hosting a get together, even just having someone over to chill, noticeably label any cannabis containing foods, beverages and strains clearly. The last thing you want to do is send someone to the moon by accident.
Always present guests with a green hit.
If possible, offer your guest a delicious green hit of cannabis goodness. Whether you present them with the first hit or you simply light the side of a nug, leaving a bit of fresh flower unscorched, they’ll appreciate your kind gesture and the opportunity to try the full spectrum of flavor offered by the plant.
Don’t bogart that joint, my friend.
While you may be caught up on a really terrific story or zoned out in another dimension, everyone will agree that you should puff, puff, pass the peace pipe to the next available person within a reasonable amount of time.
Be mindful of other people’s property.
Try not to break, spill, drool, slobber or burn things. Ash joints before passing them to avoid damaging clothing and furniture. Refrain from lipping or getting spit and drool on a joint. Exercise extra caution when operating a glass piece or water bong. Accidents happen. When they do, offer to clean up and replace what’s broken.
Carry a poker.
One smoker’s tool you’re guaranteed to need more than most others is a poker. Pro tips: 1). Carry a few paper clips in your wallet for convenient access. 2). If you’re out in nature and need a poker, try pine needles. 3). Bobby pins will do the trick in a pinch. 4). Gadgets like the NugTools “Nuggy” are convenient all-in-one pocket-sized tools designed for rolling, shredding, dabbing, vaping, scraping and poking.
Clean your devices.
No one likes toking from a dirty piece. Pipe cleaners, a small brush, alcohol and water are all you need. If you’re feeling under the weather, use alcohol wipes to sanitize mouthpieces. Additionally, you can roll a flame over the mouthpiece for a few seconds to kill-off germs. Just don’t pass the bowl while the mouthpiece is still hot. Cleaning your pipes, bongs and vaporizers out regularly will ensure you and your guests receive germ-free, tasty hits every time.
Contribute to the sesh.
Bring something fun to contribute to the session. A healthy snack, a six pack of beer, a liter of sparkling water, a new dj mix to listen to, exciting news, nugs from your recent dispensary trip, and good vibes are all welcome to the party.
Zoe Wilder
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