Gifting cannabis around the holidays is a great option for family and friends who enjoy consuming. With so much selection available, you can get creative and find the perfect gift for anyone from a beginner to a cannasseur.
There is some etiquette to keep in mind when gifting cannabis, however! Since it might still be a new concept for many, we’ve put together some tips and suggestions for when you start your holiday cannabis shopping.
1. For adults only
Cannabis should never be given to adults under the age of consumption in your area. As cannabis age regulations are provincial, always be sure to check the applicable laws where you live.
2. Always buy legal
This isn’t just for the holidays, but it never hurts to get a reminder. Buying cannabis from a legal source is the safest way to purchase cannabis, and it’s the only way to know exactly what’s in the product you’re buying. The last thing you want to do is give your loved ones product from an illegal source and risk potential harm.
3. Consider the essentials
Cannabis can be a very personal decision, especially to those who have been consuming for a long time or consume for a specific reason. If you’re not comfortable choosing a strain for family or friends, but you want to gift them something cannabis-related, you can’t go wrong with some of the essentials! Put together a little care package that includes the basics, like:
- Rolling papers
- A lighter
- A pipe
- A grinder
- A stash jar or pouch
- A rolling tray
4. Talk with a budtender for advice
Budtenders are your best resource when choosing a strain, and they’re more than happy to help you narrow down some choices. If you’re shopping for newer consumers, budtenders can help point you in the direction of balanced or lower THC strains that are recommended for new users. If you’re shopping for a more experienced consumer, budtenders can take the person’s favourite terpenes or even strains they’ve liked before and come up with suggestions for what they may enjoy in the future.
5. Remember that you’re shopping for them, not you
Don’t get us wrong, you can absolutely treat yourself to a little something-something when you’re out holiday shopping, but when you’re buying the actual gifts, it’s important to remember who you’re buying for. If they’ve only ever consumed flower products in the past, then edibles might not be the best choice—even if they’re your preferred method of consumption. Alternatively, if they’re someone who prefers to keep their consumption more discreet, then ingestibles like capsules or edibles are a better route than a vape or pre-roll. No one wants a gift they won’t use, so just remember who you’re shopping for when you head to your local retailer.
6. Start low, go slow with edibles
If you’re gifting edibles to someone, consider starting with a 1:1 balanced product with equal or lesser parts THC to CBD. Something like Wana Sour Gummies Strawberry Lemonade 1:1 is a great place to start, as CBD has been known to lessen the effects of THC when consumed at the same time. This makes it a great starting point for new or less experienced consumers.
It’s also a good idea to include a small note with the gift that suggests starting with one gummie or chocolate (depending on what you give them) and waiting a couple of hours to see how they feel before consuming more. If you’re gifting cannabis, then you have a responsibility to make sure everyone is informed!
7. Put together your own gifts
It’s entirely possible you won’t find exactly what you want in a dispensary, or you’ll want to get a little more creative with your gift-giving, which is when putting together your own gifts can come in handy! Consider making your own pre-roll sampler pack by working with a budtender to bundle together some different brands, different terpene profiles, different THC levels, and different flavour profiles. You could even create a theme, like “Movie Night Munchies” or “Sativa Saturdays,” to personalize the collection even more.
8. Be honest about your gifts
When you give someone cannabis, you’re responsible for making sure they have all the information. Be clear about what you’re giving them, the THC and CBD values, and anything else they may need to know.
This is especially true if you’re making your own edibles as gifts. Dose your edibles accurately and be clear about how much THC and CBD is in each product, as well as what strain you used, if possible. It’s also important to clearly label that the baked goods are infused with cannabis. You could also consider gifting them in a secure container, so the recipient doesn’t have to worry about finding somewhere to store them!
9. Give a gift card
If you’re in doubt about what to give someone, a gift card to a local cannabis retailer is always a great option. Not only are you supporting local, but you’re letting your loved ones buy something they know they’ll want!
10. Don’t assume you’ll be invited to partake
Gifting cannabis and expecting it to be shared with you immediately is sort of like giving someone a sweater and asking to wear it when you get cold. If you want to consume cannabis at a gathering, always bring your own so your host doesn’t feel pressured into consuming right away. Some people prefer to consume by themselves, so never assume you’ll be invited to join them once you’ve handed them their gift.
Giving cannabis is great way to find personalized gifts for family and friends who consume, but make sure you follow these tips to keep up with the etiquette!