25 Rules for Smoking (and Eating) Weed Without Being a Dick

For a plant that’s been around for around 12,000 years, weed doesn’t exactly come with an operating manual. And some people tend to kill the vibe when it comes to bud.

Whether you’re an absolute beginner or the sort of person who knows what “terpenes” are, we’ve compiled a list of good manners that you can apply to most social situations involving weed, 4/20 or not. Stick with these rules, and you’ll be able to seamlessly slip into any stoner group and become one of the gang.

1. Don’t Give Someone Edibles Without Telling Them

It’s seriously not cool to do this, and frankly, is illegal. Would you roofie your friend at the bar? Would you put cocaine in their soup? I really hope you’re all answering “no” to these questions. You shouldn’t do those things, and you shouldn’t give someone an edible without telling them either. It could end up in an awful, paranoid-fueled situation. This rule applies to all, even people who love being high or have a high tolerance. Consent is important, kids.

2. Respect Rollers’ Rights

If they roll it, they get to hit it first. The end. Of course, the exception is if they ask you to spark it for them or something. While rollers’ rights is common courtesy, not everyone likes the first hit of a joint, so just follow their lead.

3. Don’t Share If You’re Sick

Have we learned nothing from COVID-19? If you think you’re coming down with a fever or your tummy isn’t feeling so good, just roll your own joint or pack your own bowl. Just like sharing drinks or locking lips, passing a joint or bong around the circle can spread germs and make everyone sick. And if all your friends are sick, you’ll have no one to get high with.

MORE CANNABIS 101: How to Tell If Your Weed Is Good, Mid, or Actually Trash

4. Avoid Slobbering All Over It

I don’t care if you have “naturally moist” lips – there’s nothing worse than receiving a vape or a blunt covered in someone else’s spit. The tip of the joint or blunt shouldn’t be INSIDE your mouth. Curl your lips inward a little so the blunt just barely touches the outside edges of them, and then inhale. Placing it on the side of your mouth can help too. No reason to droll all over it. Plus, with joints, moisture can make the paper fall apart.

5. Don’t Hog the Blunt

Goes without saying. Generally, the puff-puff pass is the rule of thumb, so take two hits and pass it along. The other issue is people who “camp” on the joint. If you’re holding the joint and talking everyone’s ear off, you’re burning precious weed, and no one is getting high off it. I like to think a 30–60-second hold is acceptable. But 60 seconds is the absolute max. Really, you should hit the joint the moment you get it, and then try to take the second hit before you hit the 30-second mark.

6. Clean Your Bong

If you’re going to share it with friends, do the right thing and make sure they’re not getting high off moldy water. Yes, this happens, and it can get you sick. Smoking with old, nasty bong water can even give you bronchitis. At the very least, change out the water and give the bong a solid rinse. If you need a little help, I love the Blazy Susan Magnetic Resin Blaster!

7. Don’t “Guess-TimatE” Edibles

Okay, I won’t call this one a “rule” because you’re the master of your own life. However, I advise against eyeballing or winging an edible recipe. If you’re cooking with weed, don’t guess the measurements or forget how much you put in there. This is for your own self-preservation, but it is equally important if you’re planning to serve the food to anybody else. If you struggle to be precise with measuring and recipes and whatnot, just buy edibles, like the Cycling Frog Take and Get Baked Cookie Mix.

8. Be Kind to Anyone Having a Tough Time

We’ve all been there. Compassion is key. Do not take this as a chance to scare them or make a joke. This doesn’t just apply to someone who is vomiting or catatonic. If someone feels anxious, paranoid, or uncomfortable, be nice to them. Be supportive and kind, and try to create a safe space for them to ride out the wave. Also, maybe bring them some water.

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9. Don’t Be a Weed Bore or Snob

I can guarantee that people do not want to hear your monologue about the latest Cali strain. Read the room. As a cannabis writer, I love talking about different strains and cannabinoids and products, but there’s no reason to lecture someone or be a know-it-all. Keep things casual and remember that some people don’t give a fuck what the strain is or what THCa is or why decarboxylation is important. Some people just wanna get high.

10. If You’re Shit at Rolling, Leave It to Someone Who’s Good

Ugh, take it from someone who sucks at rolling, this is the way to go. Don’t let your ego get into this – think of the greater good. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, so there’s no need to be ashamed of your lack of rolling skills. Compliment the skilled rollers and be grateful you have them around. Or buy cones, like the Edie Parker Flower Rolling Cones (so pretty!).

11. Be a Good Helper

But hey, even if someone else is actually rolling, there are duties that can make their life easier, like grinding weed, rolling the filter, picking weed out of the grinder, or tidying up after. Don’t leave it all down to one person. Just because you’re not the Olympic roller in the group, that doesn’t mean you can’t be a helpful friend and get the joint ready to go faster.

12. Remember That Everyone’s Tolerance Is Different

An edible that will just about give you a chill night at home might just as easily turn someone else paralytic. Never assume people have the same tolerance as you. As someone with a high tolerance, it can be really hard to be sympathetic to the person who is absolutely zonked off a 2mg THC drink. But we all have different bodies, experiences, and habits, so be respectful and don’t make anyone feel bad for having a low tolerance.

13. No Peer Pressuring

You’re a grown adult, not 15 and trying to make your friend pass out as a joke. Pressuring someone into smoking or eating more cannabis than they’re comfortable with is so not cool, and it just makes you seem like a dick. Plus, if someone is already high, pressuring them may make them feel anxious, which is not what a good stoner friend would do to someone. Don’t you want to be a good stoner friend?

14. Never Shame Munchies

This is basically common human decency, but applies especially to the munchies. Let people enjoy their snacks! For me, the munchies are one of the most fun parts about getting high, so don’t ruin it for someone by calling attention to how many Oreos or Hot Pockets they’ve eaten. Just let them vibe with their taste buds.

15. Don’t Bic the Lighter

It’s called “Bic’ing” someone when you take their lighter, and it’s rude. If the sesh is over and you’re holding a lighter that you did not bring to the hangout, then make sure it gets back to its rightful owner. It’s just poor etiquette, and if you do it chronically, it’s especially messed up. If you do take one, make sure you replace it with something nice, like this fun Edie Parker Gum Lighter.

16. Be Respectful of Someone’s Stash

I don’t care if it’s your bestest best friend in the entire world. If you’re smoking someone else’s weed, you need to be respectful of that. Bring your own weed to share, bring cash, buy them dinner, and let them set the pace. If you’re packing a bowl every five minutes, and they’ve only had one joint, you might want to check yourself.

17. Don’t Blow Smoke Into Your Pet’s Face

I mean, seriously, I hate that I even have to say this one. Your pet did not consent to get high, and being high without being aware of what weed even is sounds incredibly stressful. And don’t let Fido accidentally eat a weed brownie off the side table, either – it’s bad for him.

18. Be Nice to Your Neighbours (and Landlord)

Your neighbors probably smell your weed all the time, so it’s wise to be kind to them. Don’t be a weird recluse that’s always stoned. Wave hello, be friendly, and be respectful. If they ask you to stop smoking on the shared porch, the nice thing to do is to listen to them. Similarly, be extra nice to your landlord, because odds are, your lease says you shouldn’t be smoking anything on the property.

19. Don’t Light Up in Someone’s House or Car Without Asking

This should go without saying! It’s wildly disrespectful to spark a joint when you don’t have permission from the host. Always ask first, and if they say no, take it outside, back to your house, or anywhere else. Not everyone wants their house to smell like a dispensary or their car to smell like it’s been hotboxed a dozen times. I promise, you can survive a short wait until you find an appropriate area to rip a joint.

20. Leave Some Green in the Bowl for Others

When you hit a bowl, you can run the flame all over the top and kill all the green. Or you can “corner” the bowl, which means you just light half, leaving some green for the next person. Everyone wants a little bit of green, so share the wealth.

21. Don’t Cash or Snuff Too Quickly

Never ever ever ever ever cash a bowl or snuff out a joint without getting confirmation from the whole group. It’s cool if you’re done, but check with everyone before putting it out, because someone else may still be fiending and want that last rip of the blunt.

22. Follow the Rotation

Most stoners pass to the left. Some people are super intense about this, but I don’t really care which way the weed goes, as long as it eventually makes its way to me. But if you disrupt the rotation order, that means someone is missing out. Always keep the same order when passing the bud around.

23. Don’t Litter

If you smoke outside, don’t leave the blunt wrapper or the joint roach on the ground in the lovely park. Don’t leave your edible wrapper on the ground in the woods. This is not the stoner way. Be kind to the planet, because that’s where our weed comes from!

24. Compliment Your Host’s Weed

It’s common decency, but if someone smokes you up, you should say “great bud, thanks,” even if the weed is absolute garbage. They didn’t have to share shit with you, so be appreciative and pay them a little compliment as a thank you.

25. Never Gatekeep Weed

Last, but certainly not least, you’re not the first, best, or only person who likes weed. This little green plant can and should be for anyone and everyone who wants to partake. No one is too old, too lame, too uptight, too serious, or too cool. And it’s never too late to try some sweet bud for the first time.