Cannabis Coming Out by Jon Hazell

Holiday season is upon us, which typically means an increased amount of time with family and close friends. With legalization just around the corner here in Canada, and in many states south of the border, we thought now might be a good time to discuss coming out of the cannabis closet.

Much the same way coming out for the LGBTQ2S community helps to “normalize” different sexual orientations, decreasing societal stigmas, so too does coming out as someone who smokes or consumes cannabis.

At Accoutrements we understand the need for discretion but we are also firm believers that consuming cannabis is nothing to be ashamed of and we look forward to ending the stigma around cannabis use.

So what are we afraid of?

1. Being labelled a “stoner”

A lot of people hate being put into boxes and labelled, especially when those labels come with a number of stereotypical negative connotations: lazy, stupid, always high, “dead-beat”, a “dirty hippy”, etc. Safe to say if your friends and family don’t think of you this way right now, finding out that you enjoy cannabis shouldn’t change anything. If anything it might help to change their perception of what people who enjoy it look like. People who smoke cannabis can come from all walks of life, all income brackets, creeds, and religions.

2. Being rejected or frowned upon by loved ones

This one's a biggy. There are some people who have a zero tolerance when it comes to recreational drugs. It is unfortunate that canabis has been labelled in the same vein as cocaine, heroin, and other harder drugs. This is where it might take some time to educate your loved ones on cannabis, why it has been demonized, how in many ways it is safer than alcohol, and how it has had a positive impact on your life. There will be some hard-liners though, especially those with strict religious beliefs (be it Christian, Muslim, Scientology), who won’t ever really accept your choice. You are the best judge when it comes to your situation, what you are comfortable letting your loved ones know about you.

3. Job security

If you are currently holding a job that would be placed at risk if your cannabis use was exposed we suggest not disclosing that information, at least not until recreational use has become legal in your jurisdiction. We want to normalize cannabis use but we also want you to keep your job.

Be prepared. Chances are if you suspect your loved ones will be ambivalent they will be, but always best to plan for the worst nonetheless. It’s the people who are preparing for negative reactions and get the opposite that are usually the best off. You may discover that not only is Aunt Martha totally fine with the fact that you enjoy cannabis but that she does too, and even grows her own plants! These are doozies that we want people to embrace. You never know, you may find out that your parents, grandparents, etc. can be secret (or not so secret) partakers in cannabis too!

Regardless of what you choose to disclose this Holiday season we wish you the very best and hope it is a very festive and joyful time!

Have a cannabis coming out story to share? We want to hear it! Share in our comments sections below.