There are a lot of unwritten social rules we adhere to on a daily basis and don’t even think twice about. Well, weed smoking has it’s own, and if you’re new to lighting up, you might not be aware of all of them. Knowing basic stoner etiquette will help you feel more confident smoking in social settings. To help keep the vibes high wherever you’re enjoying cannabis, keep reading our do’s and don’ts of smoking weed.
What is stoner etiquette?
Etiquette is more than just being polite—it means respecting those around you as well as rules and regulations in place. There are various settings where stoner etiquette differs, like a subway station versus a party, but it is necessary regardless. No matter where you are, and if you’re enjoying raw flower or vaping cannabis oil, we want to help you make sure you’re getting your buzz on respectfully and responsibly.
Do and Don'ts of Smoking Weed
1. Always bring something to contribute to the smoke sesh.
The last thing you want to come off as is a free loader. If you get invited to your friend’s place for a smoke sesh, try to bring a little bud to contribute. Even if it doesn’t end up getting used, everyone will appreciate that you offered it just in case.
2. Be discreet when you’re enjoying cannabis in a public place.
Even if you live in a state where recreational cannabis is legal, there are still a lot of people who are uncomfortable with it, don’t like the smell, or have trouble breathing with a lot of smoke around. Plus, there are lots of no smoking areas that you need to be aware of before lighting up. Vaping is a great way to consume cannabis in public since there’s virtually no smell and the vapor dissipates very quickly. You can vape raw flower with a dry herb vaporizer, or grab an oil vape for when you’re on the go for good.
3. Corner the bowl—don’t torch the whole thing.
When a packed bowl is being passed around, light just a corner of it with the lighter instead of torching the whole surface area. Doing that will just waste weed and give you a huge hit you might not be able to handle (and it’s never fun having a 5-minute coughing attack in front of a bunch of people). “Cornering” the bowl will let everyone in the rotation get a nice clean hit, which is always good weed etiquette.
4. Don’t slobber on the joint, blunt or bowl for that matter.
This might not be an issue if you’re already high (talking to you, cotton mouth). But if not, be mindful of how much saliva you’re getting on the joint or mouthpiece of whatever you’re smoking from. Nobody likes to take a hit from a wet, soggy blunt or joint, and it just passes more germs around than is necessary. Good stoner etiquette is to tuck your lips in just a smidgen when taking a hit from something that’s in a rotation.
5. Ash the joint before you pass it.
It might seem trivial, but it’s actually very important smoking etiquette to ash the joint or blunt before you pass it to the next person. If you don’t, the time it takes to transfer the joint from your hand to the next person’s might be just enough to make that hot ash fall off right onto their lap. Give that thing a tap tap after you take your hit and before you pass it on.
6. Refrain from vaping weed inside public spaces like restaurants, and definitely in tight, crowded public areas.
Cannabis etiquette is all about being mindful of other people when smoking. Since you can’t know what everyone is feeling when you’re in a crowded place, just stay on the safe side and refrain from smoking or vaping altogether. It won’t kill you to wait until you’re outside and away from others, since you can’t know what their comfort level about cannabis is.
7. Share your vape, but don’t force it.
If you’re vaping at a party, it’s always good stoner etiquette to offer it to whomever you’re handing around at the time you take a hit. Make sure to let them know its cannabis and not just nicotine, or else they might take a hit without fully consenting. Although it’s nice to share, don’t peer pressure anyone to take a hit. If they decline your offer, move on and continue the conversation!
8. Don’t blow smoke or vapor in anyone’s face.
Even when other people around you are smoking as well, they still don’t want your smoke or vapor blown into their face. This could spread germs and overall is just downright unpleasant! If you’re smoking or vaping while facing someone and talking to them, simply turn your head downward and to the side when exhaling your hit.
9. Pass to the left!
This piece of stoner etiquette isn’t dire—it won’t get you uninvited from smoke sessions for life. But you might get laughed at if you don’t pass to the left in the smoking circle!
10. Whoever rolls the joint or packs the bowl gets to spark it.
If you roll the joint, don’t feel awkward about sparking that thing up and getting it going. Everyone is going to expect this! It doesn’t mean you sit there and nurse the joint for minutes—give it a puff puff and get the ball rolling by passing it (to the left, of course)!
Stoner etiquette isn’t complicated; it’s just about being respectful of other people’s boundaries as well as their own enjoyment when smoking socially. Keep these tips in mind at the next smoke sesh and you’re guaranteed to be invited back!
