Back in the summer, my mom came to visit me in Vancouver, British Columbia for the first time. She summarised the city in three short words: coffee, craft beer, and weed. I added in rain gear, bicycles, and Subarus parked back-to-back. Yep, that's Vancouver in a nutshell. Oh, and rain — lots of it. During her trip, she asked about Canada's marijuana laws under the Cannabis Act and whether or not I partake. I answered honestly with a resounding "Yes!" Much to my surprise, she asked for my help to pick out some light-weight, beginner strains to combat her routine migraines. That's what sparked my inspiration for this blog — how to introduce parents to marijuana and CBD.
Is Marijuana A Gateway Drug?
Millennials know well enough that not every parent is the same level of "chill." Some approve of marijuana use and even possibly enjoy the occasional hit themselves. Others, on the other hand, might be misinformed of marijuana's effects and therefore hesitant about usage. We often hear from concerned parents that marijuana is a "gateway drug," which suggests it could lead to harder drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy/MDMA, opioids, and so on. While we don't necessarily agree with that viewpoint, we can certainly understand it. At the end of the day, marijuana is a "drug" that alters your natural state.
Common Reactions From Parents
When you spill the truth about your marijuana use, chances are you'll get one of two reactions. The "no big deal" reaction and the "this is a huge deal, what if you die?" reaction. You know how overdramatic parents can get. Consider yourself lucky if you get the former. As for the latter, education is key when calming the mind of a parent.
Knowledge Is Power, So Explain Yourself
As human beings, we often fear what we don't understand. We fear the unknown. When you see that look of concern on mum or dad's face, calmly sit them down and explain why you personally choose to consume marijuana. Is it for a medical reason? Since migraines are genetic, I explained to my mum that marijuana helps and that's why it's a constant in my home. She immediately related and understood. You may not suffer from migraines, but maybe something else is going on.
- Anxiety
- Inflammation
- Glaucoma
- Arthritis
Take a moment to educate your parents on the health benefits of marijuana. Then, ask mum and dad if they have any medical concerns they'd like to ease through marijuana. An important disclaimer — keep in mind that marijuana cannot "treat" or "cure" any symptom, illness, or side effect. All the effects and sensations of marijuana are temporary.
Parent-Approved Marijuana Strains
If mum and dad show an interest in marijuana use, help them pick a strain that's ideal for beginners. It's probably been a few years since the parents participated. Maybe, just maybe, they smoked in high school a couple of times. It takes weeks to months for marijuana users to build up a comfortable tolerance before they move on to stronger strains with higher percentages of THC. We need to walk before we can run.
When it comes to parents, start them off with one of our high-CBD, low-THC strains. We recommend Harlequin, Harle-Tsu, and ACDC. "Like the band?" your dad might say. I know the dad jokes all too well. These strains are loaded with CBD to help a variety of issues from inflammation to nausea. Parents will be able to find the comfort they need without mind-altering effects, some of which can be overpowering and even scary to beginners.
CBD Products For Parents
We'd be lying if we said that marijuana never comes with negative or unwanted side effects. There is such a thing as "greening out." This can occur when a user steps out of their comfort zone with THC levels and smokes a strain that's too strong for them. When the effects come in too hard, too fast, it can lead to dizziness, disorientation, anxiety, sweating, dry eyes, and cottonmouth.
To avoid any chance of "greening out," turn your parents onto a CBD product with trace amounts of THC. CBD gummies are by far the most popular selection at licensed cannabis retailers across Canada. You can also buy CBD oil online through provincially regulated websites and a variety of other companies. Cannabis retailers can be an intimidating place for parents, so why not keep things casual? Many Canadian wellness and beauty retailers now carry CBD-infused products such as gummies, bath salts, and oils. Encourage mum to browse those familiar shelves and add a CBD product to her basket alongside her usual picks.
Clearing Up Marijuana's Name
Let me end this post by saying that if I can get my mum interested in marijuana, you can flip a switch in your parents' minds, too. I never, ever thought my mum would understand the benefits of marijuana — and I was so wrong. She surprised me like no other. It just goes to show that the negative or taboo stigma surrounding marijuana is finally disappearing, even in older generations. It's not just a young person's "thing" anymore. It's becoming a human thing.