Leave Room for Qs. This conversation sometimes need to marinate with people; I’ve found that planting the seed (heh) then allowing it to grow with folks is an organic way to allow them to ask YOU about it next time, making it a more self-directed activity over which they’ll have ownership and control.
Call Your Mother! Seriously, assuming you get your loved ones to try something, either stick around to make sure they’re cool or just call or text them a couple of hours later. This can make all the difference in an experience!
Encourage them to ask their doc about cannabis. Especially if someone is experiencing heart issues, has a history of psychosis, or is on blood thinners - this plant is especially important to be open about with caregivers. Legally, doctors cannot initiate conversations about cannabis as a prescription (yet), but they DO have to answer your questions (sometimes by calling me, lol). So make them do some research or share with them the research you’re reading and ask them to INTERPRET the research. Asking their “INTERPRETATION” is key language to use as it gives them latitude to show understanding (or lack thereof) instead of simply regurgitating the research. If they can’t yet answer something to your satisfaction, continue pushing them. Medical pros are actually more open and educated about cannabinoids now than ever. And hey, they really need to know this stuff - it may be your question that changes the way your doctor practices their craft with you and other lucky patients.
Patience, my child. You’ll probably find that this topic is one you touch on multiple times - their friends are talking about it, your friends are talking about it, the media’s all over it, and cannabis is in the age of another (r)evolution - it’s here to stay - and what a wonderful thing that really is. When you gift someone a topical or something non-intoxicating, even that small exposure helps dismantle the stigma and stereotypes associated with herb - they’ll likely warm-up to other modes of use.
A note on folks who may not have the ability or interest to use cannabis, not necessarily because they’re against it, but perhaps due to a pension or other financial situation tied to the federal government that can be taken away from them if they were ever to test positive for THC. Or, maybe they’re in a sensitive professional position wherein they can’t risk having their internet search history have cannabis in it for fear of punishment. Believe me, I have clients who deal with these realities, so we must honor these responses. But, that does not leave a single person off the hook from vocalizing their support for cannabis reform on behalf of those who use it - just as they would for any other cause from which they don’t directly benefit: think about any other cause with advocates, donors, supporters, etc. I would venture to guess many supporters and advocates for cancer and other very important causes don’t directly benefit from research but engage in supporting it for the love of those who do.
Interested in doing a deep dive into your own canna-practice? You can buy time with me for yourself, your spouse, or your parents; I do remote one-on-one or couples consults (often people can benefit from the same stuff! And how FUN to do together?). A cannabis coaching session makes a great bday, anniversary, Christmas or Hanukkah gift. Schedule a consult through this link and, of course, feel free to ask me about custom workshops tailored to you: I’ve done bachelorette parties, CBD-themed baby showers, bday parties, ladies’ nights, anniversaries; you name it, I’ll meducate it. My clients leave consults with personalized functional knowledge of the cannabis landscape, a ton of reference information, achievable action steps & guideposts for choosing quality products to suit their needs, and solid discounts with my retail partners, too. (You know your mom loves a deal). My goal is to give folks knowledge to make informed consumption decisions on their canna-journey.
I hope these suggestions I’ve pulled from my own practice and life are helpful in your family circle. What questions do you have? How do you place cannabis in your family’s conversations? Are you talking about it at all? Let’s chat in the comments.