Though some may call it a patchwork legal landscape, cannabis is becoming almost universally accepted as an alternative treatment for everything from relaxation to intractable pain and insomnia. Lovers of this medicinal leaf are coming out of hiding, proudly proclaiming their devotion and boldly seeking out others of a like mind. The result is a plethora of cannabis groups both online and in-person who form communities. Groups like CannaMoms are not only growing by leaps and bounds, they are also getting attention from the media.
Cannabis Social Groups are in abundance on websites like “Meetup” that specialize in bringing special interest groups together and are easily found online. From infused yoga and hiking clubs to moms and entrepreneurs, there are a variety of approaches that bring the groups together to enjoy sharing info and building community. But the group that has garnered the most notoriety is likely CannaMoms, a group of moms who were feeling isolated in their use of cannabis before, during, and after pregnancy. Having found no groups of cannabis-loving mothers, they made their own.
Statistics show that around one in three women over 21 partake in marijuana, but the stigma remains strong, especially for mothers. When recreational marijuana was legalized in Missouri, a group of moms decided this would be a great opportunity to build a community among moms who use marijuana.
“You put marijuana and a mom together, it doesn’t really go together,” Shaunda Crawford, another Cannamoms member, told CNN. “Moms are supposed to do everything. They’re supposed to be a picture-perfect person.”
In addition to giving moms who marijuana a place to socialize with other moms, the group also donates to mothers in need. They know firsthand that being a mother is not always easy.
“Being a mom is hard,” co-founder Kimberlee Kesterson said. “There’s so many expectations on you. We feel like we have to be perfect. We feel shame around our blow-ups and having a hard day. I think it’s super important that it’s we’re able to see that there are so many other moms that go through the same struggles.”
Members of the CannaMoms group want to redefine what moms who use cannabis means and rightly so.
In addition to social media cannabis groups like CannaMoms, Cannabis social clubs (CSCs) have become popular. Also referred to as a Teapad, dab bar, or marijuana social lounge, these social spaces welcome cannabis connoisseurs who wish to consume in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
A CSC is a type of nonprofit, member-based organization where individuals collectively grow*, share* (*where recreational marijuana is legal), and consume cannabis in a regulated and private setting. The concept originated in Europe—Spain’s one of the pioneers, with clubs dating back to the early 2000s—but it’s also popped up in other places with varying legal frameworks, including some in the US.
The vibe’s usually social—think a lounge or café where people smoke, vape, or eat edibles together—while dodging the open-market chaos of dispensaries or dealers. For Louisiana, keep in mind that recreational marijuana is not legal here. Sharing of CBD products would be considered legal in the state but sharing of medical marijuana products would not be considered legal. CSC in medical marijuana-only states would be more about building community and support.
To find a cannabis social group near you, you can try Meetup, Reddit, or Weedmaps. Read through millions of reviews from people who have actually visited the clubs and communicate with members of the online cannabis community to get tips on the best places. Conversely, you may wish to use a cannabis lounge directory, such as Bud Pubs or Potguide.com.
If you’d like to find out more about medical marijuana in Louisiana or Mississippi, our healing specialists are ready to give you the answers. Contact us today or click the button below to get started on your healing journey now.
