Brooklyn based writer, Andrew Ward, has followed up his book on how to earn a living in the cannabis industry with what may seem like an unlikely issue, manners. When most people think of manners books they imagine prim ladies with cups of tea and raised pinkys, debutante balls, or proper wording on a wedding invite, but in yet another indication that we’re living in different times, there’s a new book describing weed manners. If you have any questions about what is appropriate, pick up a copy of “The art of Marijuana etiquette” and let Andrew explain it all for you. We sat down this week to hash out a few pressing questions.
1. Does America still think of cannabis as something for hippies in San Francisco? What inspired you to write an etiquette manual?
There are folks who still feel that way, they’re called Congress. But for the rest of America, most people support the legalization of medical and possibly adult use. April’s Pew polls showed 91% of Americans support legalization in some form.
The book was inspired by my editor, Jason Katzman, at Skyhorse. Initially, they wanted to do a take from the old-era etiquette books. But I just couldn’t connect with the tone. Thankfully, they accepted my counter that I wrote from my years of experience as a consumer and reporter. My take was that while etiquette is important, it isn’t so much on those classic “pass to the left” or “puff puff pass” rules. Rather, it’s about core cannabis components: community, sharing, inclusion.
2. Are there different rules for different people? My mother, who is nearly 80, has found great success for arthritis pain. Let’s say she brought some weed to bridge (she won’t, but let’s say she did), what are the rules for the bridge group?
I note in the book that rules do apply differently in some cases. They can vary by region, culture, regional or by group preference. But, in their broadest interpretation, each group has the same rules: create a positive community. How that is achieved is where the rules can vary.
Bridge group can make their own rules! Anyone can, especially if you are or are nearing becoming an octogenarian. Again, it all goes back to creating a positive space. Enjoy yourselves without disrupting anyone or anything around you.
3. Is it acceptable to bring weed instead of wine?
In my house, it absolutely is. Have you ever had Moscato d’Asti? I’d rather have mids any day.
I hate to be redundant but it goes back to your group’s rules. Go with the group flow, and ask if you’re never unsure. Overall though, the public is certainly warming to the idea.
4. Are there major weed faux pas?
There are but thankfully it doesn’t take much effort to be an upstanding cannabis consumer. With people, you want to avoid making anyone feel uncomfortable. That can mean hassling them over why they don’t smoke to unwanted sexual advances. As a guest, you’ll want to avoid getting too high you can’t function, not cleaning up after yourself and anything else that may be disrespectful to your host.
My hope is that each chapter of the book hits on some of these faux pas. At the same time, I hope it shows the positive the community does to show how easy it is to consumer an enjoyable, respectful manner.
5. I have been a social worker for many years, by any metric, cannabis is safer than alcohol, will weed manners help America make the switch?
I think it will in a way. The more we show its positive everyday use without impeding on anyone else’s way of life, the better our chances are at swaying that remaining 9% that oppose legalization. Then, we can just vote out all the local and federal politicians that oppose cannabis for whatever special interest they harbor. But, I digress.
At the same time, I get a bit hyperbolic showcasing some worst case scenarios that could happen if etiquette is disregarded. It would take several or one substantial incident at this point, but legalization progress could be slowed, halted or even reversed if the plant is linked to enough unpleasant events. I was joking about Congress but only to a certain degree. Many federal and local lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are waiting for a forest fire, death, or some other tragedy to pounce on the anti-pot movement. So, it’s always best to mind your Ps and Qs. It won’t kill the good time and it’ll help push federal legalization over the line. It’s common sense if you think about it.
Read Andrew Ward’s book, Cannabis Jobs: How to Make a Living and Have a Career in the World of Legalized Marijuana.