Cannabis Etiquette: 420 Stoner Politeness

The social consumption of Cannabis in a circle can add enjoyment to a shared experience, but as in most things social, observing at least a few manners helps to keep things going smoothly. So, let’s take a look at what is the appropriate code of conduct in group smoking sessions. What is the etiquette for passing a joint? How many times is it okay to puff before you pass it? Below are some key points on cannabis etiquette. Because, it’s just so much better when people follow these unspoken rules when using Cannabis together. 

Rules for Medibles in Polite Society

When preparing edibles for potlucks, make mildly potent fare—or be clear with your warnings. Use small portion sizes and consider including non-Cannabis snack foods in case guest appetites become encouraged by the edibles. If attending a potluck, make sure to either bring what you have agreed to bring, or a fair substitute; avoid showing up empty-handed, if possible. 

When consuming edibles made by someone else, do not exceed their recommended portion size until you are confident that you feel the full effects. Edibles have a much longer onset time than inhaling smoke or vapor, and as such are more prone to unintentional over-consumption if a person continues to eat while the effects of what has already been eaten have yet to kick in. 

Bring Some Cannabis for Group Smoking Sessions, If Possible  

When attending a smoking session, be a contributor and if possible share some Cannabis. If you are going to be consuming someone else’s weed, it is good if you can add a bit more than what you personally smoke—or just smoke your own—but at the very least, try to make some contribution. 

For those not contributing Cannabis, make sure to personally thank the source of whatever you consume, and make some attempt to contribute in another way (bring snacks or drinks for everyone, volunteer to roll the joint, be the one who makes the ambient and play some music if it’s a home setting, and so on). 

But having your own is good in few other situations. If the host has not offered smoke to you and you begin to become impatient, you can offer them a taste of yours. Unless expressly invited to, do not load a pipe or help yourself to someone else’s stash. 

How to Go About Passing Joints in a Circle? 

Cannabis in social settings is often consumed in a circle, where one person passes to the next until it reaches the origin, after which this repeats until the Cannabis is consumed and someone lights another to begin the cycle again. While in a circle, if someone to your left hands you the smoke, pass it to the next person on your right after enjoying it, and vice-versa. If you are starting the round, either pass in the same direction as has been established, or hand off to either side, if it is the first smoke of the night. 

Multiple lit joints can make the circle go faster. In case two joints come to you at the same time, be fast to manage the traffic and pass to the persons both on your left and on your right. This is a good moment to also crack a joke about it. 

But, Not Everyone May Be Happy with Sharing Pipes, Joints, Rigs…

Some users are hesitant to share with other people, principally because of matters of health. You may not be comfortable with passing a joint between people whom you would not kiss on the lips. And that’s a totally understandable and valid reason. But on the high end of things, everyone has been in the circle, everyone finds themselves in the circle at one point, and passing a joint or pipe between friends or even strangers is considered to be the polite thing to do. 

Therefore, if you do share a smoke with others, make sure that you do not ‘fish lip’ or otherwise overly moisten the end of the joint being passed around. If it's a pipe, wipe any spittle. 

If you are feeling sick, it’s best to bow out of the circle and just consume solo. If you are not contagious but still show any symptoms of illness, it may be acceptable to smoke in the same area as others, by either smoking your own, or being the last person to finish the joint. If you still smoke with the group while feeling a bit unwell (and your friends are okay with that), the least you can do if someone smokes after you is burn the scratch a little bit with your lighter before passing. 

There Is No Need to Over-Consume in Social Situations 

Do not consume more than your normal amount; there is no need to impress other smokers, especially if it increases the chances that you will become unwell. 

Dabs, some bongs and one-hitters are designed to be entirely consumed in a single hit. Taking an overly large hit out of bravado is both wasteful and disrespectful to the person who shared the cannabis with you and/or the group of friends. 

The first hit from a freshly packed pipe is known as ‘the honor.’ Whether as a guest or as a host, it is considered polite to give the other person the honor of taking the first hit, or at least refuse it once before accepting. 

Pipes holding enough for more than one hit should be ‘cornered’: hold the lighter to one edge (instead of above the center of the bowl) so that a column of material is burned, leaving some ‘green’ completely unburned for those following in the circle. 

What Else Not to Do When Getting High with Friends?

Some final words on Cannabis etiquette. When smoking in a circle, holding on to the Cannabis for too long forces the following circle members to wait for you. So, when it is your turn, pause your conversation or what you are doing and take your puffs, then promptly pass to the next person. 

If the Cannabis is taking too long to make it back to you, consider starting a second joint (or third) with what you have brought. 

As per pipes, once the cannabis has been smoked, and the value of what is in the pipe has been cashed out, either refill the pipe and pass normally, or return the pipe to the owner. If during the session, you achieve the desired effect, do not feel compelled in any fashion to continue. It is common for some folks to pass or tap out when they have had enough. A pass simply skips a turn, often without anyone saying anything, while tapping out tends to signify that the person is done for at least the next twenty or thirty minutes or so. Moderation is a key element of polite smoking; the wisdom of knowing one’s limitations trumps the machismo of conspicuous over-consumption. Under no circumstances should anyone be encouraged to consume more than the amount with which they are comfortable. 

As with many things considered polite, empathy is the key—consider the point of view of the other person or people. Part of why it is polite to bring along some weed is that this prevents harsh thoughts of freeloading. Part of why folks should not be encouraged to overdo it is that people should look out for each other. Smoking socially can be a lot of fun, especially when people are treated with the respect that they deserve. 

Also read on Soft Secrets:

- How to Keep Neighbors Happy When You Smoke or Grow Cannabis? 

- Does Hotboxing Really Make You Higher?

- How to Deal with Dark Thoughts When High?