Full disclosure, I am not a parent. Some people will take that as enough of a reason to disregard or disagree with me and that is fair. I have links at the end of the post to other cannabis advocates who are parents and have spoken out about the issue as well. I encourage you to take a look at what they have to say on the subject. We want to keep your kids safe and to provide you with the tools to do so while using cannabis. The cannabis community has always been for adults we have never, as a whole wanted to expose healthy children to cannabis it’s not part of the culture. That being said, if you are a parent you know how to decide what’s best for your children and if that includes incorporating cannabis into their diet, via edibles, weather it be via CBD, CBG, CBN, etc. that is completely fair. THC, Delta8, Delta9 are NOT FOR CHILDREN, they are intoxicating and are for ADULTS ONLY(unless its been prescribed by a Doctor).
Now that we are in the very beginning of the end of cannabis prohibition, in the US and across the globe, there are some potentially uncomfortable conversations that need to be had with the younger members of the household. I want to make it clear that this is a critical conversion that should happen for safety reasons if nothing else. This is for all adults who consume cannabis not just for parents. I am not here to shame anyone, if you didn’t realize that this conversation needed to happen until now that’s understandable. This is a place to foster learning and exploration, there are going to be blind spots along the way, part of my job is to help y’all navigate to live your best lives.
I’m about to get super honest with you about the reality of the world we live in. Kids do drugs and have sex way before we as the adults in their lives might want them to. It’s going to happen, I have always thought that the best way to prepare kids for the reality of the world is to be open and honest with them about everything in an age appropriate way. It might be uncomfortable, as important conversations can be.
Before I talk about how to handle the conversation about cannabis with your kids, I want to take a moment to talk to you about your stash. Where do you keep your stash? Is it in a locked container to keep unwanted hands out of it? Is it in a drawer or a cupboard in the house? Are your items in childproof containers? Do you leave them out where they can be accessed if the house is searched? What about infused items, do you make infused baked goods, oils, or candy? If so are they clearly labeled for adults only, do they have a sticker to tell people that they are cannabis like a leaf or even better a THC label? Do you know how much THC is in each serving? Is that clearly labeled or do you have to do the math first? These are questions that you may not have thought of before. I’m here to talk to you about all of this. I want to help keep you and your loved ones safe.
How do I talk to my kids about cannabis?
The best way to speak to your kids about cannabis and your personal cannabis use, is the same way you speak to them about alcohol. Tell them that it’s for adults only and that they are not allowed to have it until they are grown up, because it can hurt kids if they take it. If you are a medical patient or use cannabis for medical reasons(this includes stress relief and sleep), tell your kids that it’s medicine. If you are a recreational user tell them that it’s something you use sometimes in the day time and at the end of the night to help you feel better. You know your children and what they can handle.
Avoid the urge to stigmatize cannabis use, after all, it’s a beautiful drug that helps people all over the world, and be ready for them to be disappointed or upset with your for your use. If they have had any anti-drug education in school or other programs they may have already started to stigmatize cannabis use, just like the DARE program did to all of us who completed it. It should be a constant conversation that will change overtime as the child grows. A two year old will have different needs when having this conversation then a teenager will have and that is normal and to be expected. As kids grow they are going to have more questions about everything and that includes drugs.
When should I start to talk to my kids about cannabis?
Talk to your kids about your cannabis use right now. Go, I’ll be here when you get back.
Kids do drugs, it happens. Teenagers get curious, try drugs, alcohol, have sex, do all sorts of things that the adults in their lives don’t think they are ready for. That’s what I did and my siblings and all of our friends. It’s the normal experience of growing up. It’s our job to be there to help them pick up the pieces and establish strong boundaries to keep themselves safe. We have to be open and honest with them about their behavior, it’s important. Weather you are a parent, friend, family member or mentor, we are all part of society and it’s up to all of us to ensure that the next generation is set up for success.
Should I also talk to them about other drugs?
I strongly encourage you to provide comprehensive education surrounding drugs to your children. If they don’t understand what they are being offered or given by a doctor they won’t be equipped to make the decisions to protect themselves from potentially unsafe situations. Remember, I am not a medical professional, nothing here is medical advise, I am your friend who knows what happens when kids get hooked way too young, it’s not pretty, they can die, look at the opioid epidemic we are facing right now.
I don’t want to scare you but I do want to stress that this is a very serious matter and you should think about these things critically before you bring any drug including cannabis into your home. Cough syrup is potentially fatal in high doses to children which is why you tell them not to touch it. Be safe out there and take care of each other.
Related Note: DO NOT purchase CBD from a gas station unless you are familiar with the brand, can see that the tamperproof seals are still intact, and include 3rd party testing.
Cannabis Mom Blogs: