Breaking the Stigma: How to talk to your family about weed

As legal adult-use cannabis continues to become the norm across the country, many people are more comfortable discussing their cannabis use than ever before. It’s time to come out of the cannabis closet and start having those conversations, and Eaze is here to help you figure out how to talk to your family and friends about weed.

Conversations around cannabis are becoming more common, and older adults who were forced to hide their cannabis use due to past stigmas have anecdotally opened their minds back up to the plant as it continues to be legalized.

Whether your goal is to speak more openly about your personal connection to the plant, educate others about cannabis, or even try and recommend some products you think might benefit your loved ones, keep reading to see how you can spark those discussions in a healthy, open, and communicative way.

How to talk to your parents about weed

It doesn’t make a difference if you’re a young adult still living under your parents’ roof and rules or completely independent—talking to your parents about weed use can be pretty terrifying.

Of course, a lot of older adults have smoked weed for years, so you might be one of the lucky ones whose parents have been indulging in cannabis since before you were born.

However, it’s possible that the decades of anti-cannabis stigma got to your caregivers before you had the opportunity to change their minds, or they’re so used to having to hide their cannabis use that having an open conversation about it is completely foreign to them.

Due to this, it’s important to know how to talk to your parents about weed—starting with the basics. Approaching the subject gently can also help you understand how to talk to anyone about cannabis, from other family members and friends to your own kids.

Here are some of the most helpful tips when approaching conversations about cannabis.

Listen first; then speak

When it comes to any topic that involves some polarization, it’s important to remember what you’re going into it with: preconceived stereotypes, disinformation, or biases you may be unaware of—from either end.

Rather than firing off on attack mode and shutting down your loved ones before getting to the points you’re trying to make, take a deep breath and listen to what they have to say first. This will help you understand what points you may need to address, myths you may need to bust, and, most importantly, all of the emotions that are at play.

However reactive your parents, family, or friends may be about your cannabis use, it’s likely coming from a genuine place of concern. They care about you and just want you to be healthy and safe.

Instead of using the opportunity to make them feel uneducated or ignorant, embrace the fact that they want what’s best for you, so you can better explain how cannabis helps rather than hurts.

On the other hand, your parents or older relatives may have some cannabis experiences of their own that they want to share with you. Allowing them to speak first gives them the opportunity to open up and start that dialogue.

Lean into the medicinal aspect

Your parents’ misconceptions about weed may stem from the negative stereotype that has been associated with the plant for decades: the lazy stoner. Believe it or not, this notion originated as far back as the early 20th century, when migrant laborers from Mexico brought cannabis flower—“marihuana”—and the practice of recreational smoking with them. Race- and class-based unease tainted cannabis, as did the rising tide of the temperance movement, culminating in Prohibition in 1919 and the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937.

Today, while many people may use cannabis for nothing more than recreational fun, that definitely isn’t the case for all consumers. Of course, the existence of medical cannabis programs throughout the country attests to that on its own—it wouldn’t be legal without good reason, right? However, your family might need a little more convincing.

If that’s the case, you may find cannabis research to be a big support for you in this conversation. You can share some medical journals and current research that supports the long list of potential cannabis benefits consumers all over the world enjoy, including:

• Relief from chronic pain
• All-natural sleep support
• Anxiolytic (anxiety-relieving) properties
• Anti-nausea and appetite stimulant

Dive into the history of cannabis

Once your loved ones have heard a little more about the medicinal benefits of cannabis and how the plant has helped many, it’s time to dig a little deeper.

Federal cannabis prohibition in the United States is less than 100 years old. It also has nothing to do with cannabis being addictive, destructive, or evil and everything to do with racism. Most people are unaware of this detail, creating decades of destruction and disinformation for the industry.

Helping your family or friends understand the real roots of cannabis and how it was medicinally used by cultures for centuries can really help shift understanding and erase that stigma for good.

Open up about your own experience

If you’ve made it this far in the conversation, congratulations! You’re likely connecting with some open-minded people, and the next step is to discuss your own experiences with it.

Your parents understand the medicinal aspects of weed, as well as the real history behind its prohibition. Now, if you feel comfortable doing so, you can share how the plant has had a positive effect on your life.

This will not only help your loved ones better understand you and your personal needs, but it might also open them up to the possibility of having a special connection with the plant.

Know a weed newbie? Explore the best cannabis products for beginners

If you’ve opened up about your experience with cannabis and your friends and family are now curious to try the plant themselves, ripping a bong right off the bat probably isn’t a good start, both for them and anyone who hasn’t touched the stuff since the days when average THC levels used to be much, much lower!

Start small and ease them into the culture in a way that addresses their individual needs. Most people who’ve never tried cannabis will likely be put off by the act of smoking or by any product with high THC levels. If that’s the case, here are a few products that may ease the transition and make it far more likely that they’ll have a positive experience.

CBD-rich tincture

Perhaps the simplest, easiest-to-use products for weed newbies are tinctures rich in CBD, THC’s non-toxic cousin that’s found in cannabis and hemp plants. This “second cannabinoid” is associated with a range of potential benefits, from supporting restful sleep and helping manage pain to soothing anxiety.

CBD tinctures and oils are usually administered with a dropper, either directly into foods or beverages or dropped under the tongue, where it is held and then swallowed. Sublingual administration is sometimes preferred since it can speed up the effects from being felt in roughly 45 – 90 minutes to about 15 – 30 minutes.

Cannabis topicals

Available as balms, salves, roll-ons, creams, and more, topicals are loved for their fast-acting effects on skin, muscles, and joints—typically delivering relief within 30 minutes and lasting for hours. For those concerned with psychoactive effects, no need: Even topicals containing THC don’t impart any intoxicating effects.

Transdermal patches

Transdermal patches eliminate the need for smoking or ingestion, and the way they’re applied isn’t much different from any other cannabis topical. However, they have a key advantage since they can deliver cannabinoids into the bloodstream. Simply adhere the patch to any venous part of the skin and enjoy 8 – 12 hours of uninterrupted relief from local aches and pains.

Extra tip: Read the label carefully, as some products can impart a mild but noticeable psychoactivity.

CBD-rich gummies

Do your loved ones have a sweet tooth? Introduce them to infused gummies as a gentle edibles option. Today, there are many gummies on the market that are high in CBD or feature a more balanced CBD:THC ratio, so your friends have plenty of options. Packed with fun and fruity flavors, just let any edibles newbie know that these products can take longer to kick in than smoking or vaping—typically between 45 minutes to as long as 2 hours in some rare cases and that the effects often last between 4 and 6 hours.

Start the conversation and break the stigma

It’s understandable that having an open conversation with family about cannabis can feel intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be! By practicing patience, active listening, and highlighting the many potential medical benefits, you can create a meaningful and productive dialogue. Plus, with so many cannabis products now available, it’s easier than ever to introduce the idea in a way that feels comfortable for them—if they’re open to it. So why not start the conversation today?

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article by Eaze are published for educational and informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as or substitute for a diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Please consult a local physician or other health care professional for your specific health care and/or medical needs or concerns.