This Mother’s Day, don’t be surprised to see “wine moms” transforming into “weed moms.”
Today, more than half of parents who use cannabis believe it makes them better parents, according to a study released this May by infused beverage company, Mad Lilly.
Cannabis and Parenthood
Mad Lilly, a company founded by women, for women, conducted a nationwide online survey with the national research company, The Harris Poll. Together they gathered insight about parents and their cannabis use.
The Harris Poll conducted the survey between April 27th – 29th, 2021 “among 2,047 adults ages 18 and older (605 parents of kids under 18),” according to Mad Lilly.
Results show that 67% of parents believe that using cannabis makes them better parents. Additionally, 64% of parents of kids under 18 report that cannabis helps “them deal with the stress of parenting,” explains the study.
Furthermore, 78% of parents with kids under 18 who drink alcohol said they would “try replacing it with cannabis.”
Welcoming “Weed Moms”
While casually drinking and “wine mom” culture is socially acceptable, “weed moms” are not. As a result, Mad Lilly finds, “only 28% of parents of kids under 18 who have used cannabis use it openly […].”
Additionally, the study explains:
“While 63% of Americans say they agree that cannabis use by parents is growing in acceptance by society; still 46% say they would perceive parents and their parenting abilities more negatively if they consume cannabis responsibly than if they drink alcohol responsibly.”
Many parents use cannabis to unwind while still being actively involved. Additionally, cannabis offers a more discrete way for parents to relax than alcohol, and has no hangover.
Similarly, additional evidence shows that cannabis can also be used to help cope with postpartum depression, pressures of motherhood, and other stressors that parents experience, reports High Times.
Now “weed moms” are coming together and speaking out to try to put an end to the stigma.
While some parents choose to enjoy cannabis in private, others find comfort in communities that normalize parents who use cannabis. Some include Moms for Marijuana International and Mothers Mary. One group on Facebook, The Cannavist Mom, for instance, has over 39,000 members.
Canna-Moms are Speaking Out
For Coral Hines, mother of two and co-founder of CBD lifestyle brand, Buena Botanicals, cannabis helps her de-stress. Hines also has a full-time job in addition to her family and business. She tells Emerald that cannabis also helps keep her calm and patient.
Hines believes in conscious parenting, which is parenting with empathy and love. Cannabis, she explains, is her bliss that allows her to be a better parent.
For many mothers, cannabis is part of self-care. For example, one post on Blunt Blowin’ Mama — a platform for moms that use cannabis — explains that canna-mom, Paury, “likes to wake up before her kids to enjoy the quiet and consume cannabis.”
Another follower, named Taylor, says cannabis helped her heal after a traumatic birth.
Blunt Blowin’ Mama herself, Shonitria Anthony, also says that the plant helped her heal after she had an abortion.
Additionally, Mad Lilly’s Moms for Mary community also highlights canna-moms, and how the plant helps them in their role as parents and professionals.
Despite negative attitudes towards parents who use cannabis, advocates are creating positive or neutral attitudes towards the subject — whether for self-care, as a medicine, or an alternative to alcohol.
To conclude, Emerald invites parents to tell us in the comments below if cannabis helps in your role as parents, and why.
Love this story. We share the stories of women working in cannabis who are moms and caregivers on my podcast. The Canna Mom Show. Thanks for your support and advocacy for canna moms.