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Cannabis is no stranger to the party scene, yet its broadening popularity is encouraging adults to incorporate the plant into events in ways never experienced before — from décor to delicious infused dishes and everything in between. Why not host your own weed-themed soirée? To help you produce the best party possible, we’ve assembled the following tips for success with insights and suggestions by two of the country’s leading professional cannabis party planners, Kendal Norris of Colorado’s Mason Jar Event Group and Jessie Samedi of California’s Greenleaf Canyon. Now, puff, puff, pass your way to a most memorable event!
Allow Weed to Lead
Start the party planning process with the cannabis you’d like to highlight at the event. “The weed leads everything,” shares Norris. “Always consider the energetics, flavor, smell and cure of the herb before trying to decide what food and beverages to serve.” What do you smell? Is it spicy or sweet? Do you detect a hint of citrus or berries? Is it uplifting or more mellow? Finding flower with pronounced terpene levels will allow you to pair complementary and contrasting flavors and effects in food and beverages with ease. Let your nose and preferences inspire your decisions.
Create Chill Vibes
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Cannabis’ unique ability to heighten our senses begs us to create a comfortable and entertaining space for consumption. Bean bag chairs, soft blankets and fluffy throw pillows placed strategically around the room encourages relaxation. If it’s an evening event, mood lighting is key. Lighting candles and projecting cool images on the wall is always festive. We recommend programming a few color changing LED bulbs (like LIFX or Phillips Hue) beforehand, so you can bathe your guests in an array of immersive hues. Good music helps round out the collective energy in the room. Program a few Spotify playlists of your favorite tunes, create a dance floor space, and see where the party takes you. Temperature and air-flow is important, too. Open a window to allow fresh air to circulate from time to time, as you’ll want to encourage plenty of oxygen, as well as clear out any lingering smoke. Also, take advantage of available outdoor space, so your guests can bask in the sun or stargaze when the mood strikes.
Infuse with Care
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While it’s not necessary to infuse food and beverages with cannabis for a weed-themed event, it can be a fun way to elevate the evening. “A low-dose, farm-to-table, four course meal gets everyone talking and sharing!” suggests Samedi. Remember, less is more. Low-dose edibles ensure you and your guests don’t over do it. Clearly label each infused dish with the amount of THC or CBD per serving. Consider the THC and CBD percentages of your flower, as well. Balance high THC strains and CBD dominant selections with your infusions for a well rounded experience. Also, offer menu items that aren’t infused, so your guests have plenty of sober munchies options. Whipping up a batch of Magical Tincture before the party allows guests to infuse beverages to their specifications, or not at all. For more fun infusion ideas, consult the Magical Butter Recipe page online.
Pay Attention to Detail
tips-for-hosting-a-great-cannabis-partyPhoto courtesy of Mason Jar Event Group
The “little things” matter when exploring creative ways to weave cannabis into your event. “Cover tables with linen hemp runners and floral arrangements, featuring a selection of summer favorites like peonies and garden roses with fresh buds in a My Bud Vase bong,” advises Samedi. “For an extra pop of green, place a fresh cannabis leaf on each plate.” Cannabis leaf ice cube trays add a festive touch. Plus, the Game of Zonk or Stoner’s Coloring Book with an assortment of crayons make fun additions to any celebration.
Offer Variety
tips-for-hosting-a-great-cannabis-partyPhoto courtesy of Mason Jar Event Group
These days, there are many ways to imbibe cannabis. More and more people are enjoying the therapeutic effects of high CBD strains, so offering flower high in THC, high in CBD and 1:1 THC & CBD will be appreciated. Impress your guests by offering a diverse selection of craft cannabis cultivars grown by local farmers. Set up a station dedicated to cannabis consumption that includes all the materials you’ll need to spark up, like a poker, pipe, grinder, lighter, hemp wick, pipe cleaners, ashtray, roll tray, vaporizer and papers. If you’re particular about where guests consume, create signs with instructions to keep everyone on the same page.
Additional Tips & Recommendations
tips-for-hosting-a-great-cannabis-partyPhoto courtesy of Mason Jar Event Group
Dosing too heavily is common and can induce anxiety, so create a mellow space for guests to go if they’ve had a little too much.
Since alcohol increases the levels of THC in the bloodstream, be sure to offer plenty of non-alcoholic and hydrating beverages like sparkling water, still water, lemonade, tea and juice.
Encourage guests to take a Taxi, Uber or Lyft to and from the event to ensure safe travels.
Send your guests home with leftover edible treats and goodie bags filled with fun hemp infused topicals and pre-rolled joints.
Zoe Wilder
Zoe Wilder is a writer based in Portland, Oregon, with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the College of William & Mary and a Master of Social Work from Fordham University.