it comes to smoking cannabis,
“Lighting Up: The Power of Social Smoking and the Significance of 4/20 in Cannabis Culture”
As a journalist covering the cannabis beat for over a decade, I used to indulge in weed all day, every day. It was a novelty to be high with my co-workers, boss, and even interviewees. But when the pandemic hit, limiting physical interactions, I realized the true value of social smoking. Weed just doesn’t hit the same when you’re alone.
4/20, the annual celebration of all things cannabis, is a prime example of the power of social smoking. The legend of the “Waldos” and their adventures searching for a cannabis grow at 4:20 p.m. has become embedded in cannabis culture, thanks to High Times and their coverage of the event.
But with the pandemic, the ability to safely and freely share cannabis has been limited, leading to a decrease in my own consumption. As we start to emerge from the pandemic, I’m excited to ramp up my social cannabis routine again. 4/20 is a holiday that unites the cannabis community and is vital for our mental health and well-being.
Smoking weed alone just isn’t as fun as smoking it with others. I want to see other people and smoke their weed, and make new friends through our shared love of cannabis. Together, we can all get higher!
So if you’re joining us in public squares and parks to celebrate 4/20 this year, know that you’re not just lighting up for yourself, but also helping to fuel the global movement for increased access to cannabis. And while solo smoke sessions can be introspective, in these post-pandemic times, we could all use a little more social energy.
So let’s light up, together. The flower is freeing, and when it comes to smoking cannabis, it’s always better with friends.