10 weed faux pas to avoid in a social setting

Helpful tips to avoid a nickname like “The Scorcher”.

Like any culture, weed culture has its customs. Longtime weed lovers learn many of these customs from experience, trial and error, or from close friends. But here at Leafly, we wanted to make sure that newcomers to cannabis are also prepared to socialize with the best of them.

While a lot of being stoned comes naturally, there are still a few things you should avoid in a social setting. In other words, you don’t want to commit a weed faux pas.

faux pas |fō-ˈpä| (Noun): a significant or embarrassing mistake or error

Merriam-Webster dictionary

Use our list of weed faux pas to save yourself from breaking the stoner code. By avoiding these missteps, you stand a great chance of being invited back the next time “the group” gets together to light something.

1. Bogarting

Puff, puff, pass are words we live by for a reason. Bogarting is one of the most common faux pas in a social cannabis environment and can happen unintentionally when you get too stoned and switch off.

Try to stay mindful and take a hit or two before moving on to the next person so everyone gets their chance. You can always go back to what you said after you’ve completed the surrender.

Related

Leafly’s dictionary of weed slang

2. Flaring the bowl

Few things elicit more side eyes from a weed lover than torching your head. The idea of ​​searing beautiful greens to pieces is enough to make a terpene lover scream.

When you get a freshly packaged pipe, make sure you run the lighter gently down the side of the head so you don’t snuff out all the green or prevent the next few people in line from taking a tasteful hit.

3. Refusing to pass

It’s okay to show up occasionally without having anything to spare or share with good friends. But if you do it every time, you’ll look like a chump. Whenever possible, offer to match (contribute weed) with your friends. After all, you don’t just share smoke, you also share an experience.

If you don’t have weed to share, be open to compensating someone for your cash, snack, or digital payment experience.

4. Seshing during illness

This was a faux pas long before the age of COVID, but even more so now. Nobody wants to take a bowl that has just been on the lips of someone coughing and sneezing up a storm.

You should probably just stay home, but if you must travel, at least bring your own joint or dub out. Avoid twisting until you feel better.

You might also consider switching to edibles or cannabis drinks to give your lungs a break.

5. Never share the first hit

Sharing is important in weed culture, and everyone (unless you’re the dork mentioned in #3) deserves a fresh taste of flowers every now and then. Have someone else light the joint, or start the twist every now and then.

It’s comforting to see your friend’s eyes light up when they realize you’ve gifted them some pristine greens, and it’s an easy way to say “I’d love to smoke with you” without having to say a word.

6. Ignoring the cherry

From canoe joints to ashing before passing, the cherry is your responsibility once it’s in your hands.

Keep an eye on how your joint, blunt, or bowl is burning, and if you see something going wrong, address it or take action. You always want to pass something useful on to the next person.

7. Passing an impact shell

Speaking of passing on viable greens, never pass a batting bowl. Ash a redeemed bowl and help the next person enjoy a fresh one by making sure it’s repackaged.

8. Play favorites

If you’re in a group, don’t bother to always pass the bowl to one specific person. Cutting the line and messing up the rotation to pass it on to your friend doesn’t look good.

The general rule is to pass to your left, so stick to that if you’re not sure who’s next.

9. Plug in the lighter

Each group has one of them – the easier thief. Make sure you’re not, and always return a lighter to its owner when the session is over.

It might seem like a small thing, but it can get really old very quickly if you have to keep buying new lighters because they tend to grow legs and walk out your door. Besides, you’re not even a Taurus; return the zodiac sign Bic!

10. Surrender your welcome

Close-knit groups of friends often have a “feel at home” policy with their crew, but always remember to thank your host for their hospitality and access to their weed.

Never smoke their last nut without permission and always tell them when you get something from their stash.

If you are staying with a friend for several days, offer to contribute some money towards the weed budget or its next iteration. Don’t forget to clear out your trash and ashes on the way out!

Rae Lland

Rae Lland is a freelance writer, journalist and former editor for Weedist and The Leaf Online. With a focus on culture, music, health and wellness, in addition to her work for Leafly, she has been featured in numerous online cannabis publications as well as print editions of Cannabis Now Magazine. Follow her on Instagram @rae.lland

Check out Rae Lland’s articles

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