Coming Out of the Cannabis Closet
Explaining weed to my conservative Asian parents
Vol. 1 // In this Issue:
I teach my parents about weed
Recipes: Cannabis-infused drinks + popsicles + Meyer Lemon Rosemary Bars
Beginner guides to cooking with cannabis, understanding cannamath + dosing
A Guide to Cannabis Drinks (for Paid Subscribers)
Confession: My parents know I work in cannabis but they don’t actually know or understand what I do.
Part of it is that I’ve been too chicken-shit to be completely open with them. Also, I lacked the language and words to explain to my Chinese-speaking parents why something they were taught is bad and dangerous can be good and beneficial.
Last year, I admitted to my parents that I was growing some plants in my backyard. My dad’s eyes widened in fear as he insisted that the police were going to take my plants and throw me in jail. I explained to him that cannabis is legal in California and they don’t care about my few small plants. A couple weeks ago, he trepidatiously asked if I had any “marijuana” that could help ease his chronic shoulder pain. The corners of my mouth turned into a smile so big my face hurt. His question gave me the courage to finally have an open, honest, real conversation with my parents about the benefits of cannabis, what I do for a living, and provide healing plant medicine to help my dad with his shoulder pain.
On Father’s Day, I brought him homemade cannabis topical, CBD balm from Elevar Wellness, and a hard copy of a cannabis education guide that explains the science of how cannabis works. He put on his glasses and intently read the sections I flagged for him. He paused, looked up at me, and asked, “So which one will work for my pain? CBD or THC?” And then he wanted to know if he put the balm on his body and went to the airport, would the dogs smell it on him and would he get busted? We laughed together but it’s also a valid question that shows how the war on drugs shaped our perception of the plant and how that fear pervades today. I’m still far away from smoking a joint with my dad, but I’m proud of myself for summoning up the courage to start the conversation.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE GUIDE: Modern Cannabis, a free cannabis education booklet translated into 11 Asian languages, including Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, Hindi, and Cambodian.
You’re currently reading the free edition.
Make: Beginner Guides to Cooking + Baking With Cannabis
Learn: How to Mix Caffeine and Cannabis for a Productive Morning Routine
Drink: Beat the Heat with Our Best THC-Infused Popsicle Recipes & Cannabis Drink Pairings
Read: Secrets from a Cannabis Sommelier: An Interview with Jamie Evans, The Herb Somm
Bake: Meyer Lemon Rosemary Bars Recipe
Listen: Send Us Flowers podcast – I talk edibles, cannamath, dosing, representation in cannabis, creating community, and the power of manifestation with host Liz Whiting
People often ask what cannabis products they should try to help them feel better, sleep better, feel more relaxed and less stressed, but they don’t want to smoke.
I recommend cannabis-infused beverages because it fits easily into their daily routine – coffee/ tea in the morning, a drink with lunch or after work at the end of the day, as an alcohol replacement when socializing with friends, or a soothing beverage before bed.
The number of cannabis beverages available in the US market have nearly doubled to over 500 products in California, and projected to grow 20x from 2021 to 2028, according to an industry report from Fortune Business Insights. That’s a lot of drinks.
How are we supposed to choose which cannabis drinks are right for us? In my Guide to Cannabis Drinks, I explain what you need to know, what to look for when buying beverages at the dispensary, and my favorite cannabis infused drinks that actually taste delicious. Become a paid subscriber to unlock.
COMING UP NEXT:
Vol. 1.5 // A Guide to Cannabis + CBD Drinks
For Paid Subscribers
Guide: My favorite cannabis drinks for any time of the day
Make: Blue Hawaiian Spritzer recipe
Learn: What are “Fast-Acting” + “Rapid Effects” edibles all about?
Hey there, thanks for reading my first-ever Substack post! If you like what you see, please consider joining as a paid subscriber. Cat food isn’t cheap and my chubby kitties eat a lot. A gal’s gotta make a living! This post contains affiliate links where I may or may not earn a small commission when you click to buy.
XOXO, Christina W.
