Cannabis and motherhood is a complex and taboo topic that deserves a more nuanced conversation. Moms (and parents, generally) who consume cannabis are not inherently bad parents, any more than parents who drink are bad parents. The stigma around cannabis has pervaded this conversation to the point where it’s challenging to have a real discussion about it. In this series, I aim to highlight the reality of moms who consume cannabis, why they do it, and how they approach the conversation with their children.
Cannabis Mom Spotlight
Name: KC Santana
Location: California
Occupation: Content Creator & Podcast Host
Kids: 3 kids: 7-year-old, 5-year-old, and 5-month-old
Preferred consumption method: Flower, through water devices
Cannabis has been a part of my life for nearly every season and chapter.
Cannabis & Motherhood: KC Santana
KC Santana has no problem seeing her decades-long relationship with cannabis in stages. A co-evolution, if you will.
“The first time I tried weed,” KC laughs. “I didn’t enjoy it. At first, it was completely recreational. Trying a glass bong for the first time was a great experience.”
Once she found a preferred consumption method, the change was apparent.
“Cannabis gave me a hug when I needed it. My home environment was tough, and cannabis helped me avoid a victim mentality.”
But don’t get it twisted– KC has never been one for smoking a bong and sinking into the couch. In fact, cannabis enhanced her activity.
“I’ve never been a couch-locked person. I’ve been very active all my life, especially with mixed martial arts.
But as she got older and her mindset shifted, so too did her relationship with the plant.
“I never used cannabis to get ‘so fuckin’ ripped’. Really, the plant helped keep me away from alcohol. I started seeing my consumption as medicinal. It’s always been intentional.
Cannabis & Motherhood: Pregnancy to Childhood
Her relationship with the plant shifted again when she got pregnant with her first child.
“I consumed while pregnant with my first two,” KC said. “For my first, I stopped at 30 weeks. For my second, I consumed all the way to labor and delivery.”
But fears around CPS changed how she consumed when she was pregnant with her third.
“I stopped at 12 weeks. I was so worried about CPS in traditional hospitals. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with consuming while pregnant, but I stopped just to avoid the anxiety of CPS.”
After giving birth to her first child, KC relied on cannabis in a new way.
“I began to recognize signs of anxiety in myself. I had to work not to fall down the rabbit hole of post-partum depression. It’s easy to get pulled into the deep hormonal imbalances. Cannabis was a supplement that helped me recover.”
But in a way, KC’s relationship with the plant hasn’t changed much over the years at all.
“I’ve always had a love for this plant; it’s never been stigmatized to me. It’s a herb, the same as rosemary and chamomile. Cannabis has always been medicine to me.”
One of the things that hasn’t changed is her love for mixing cannabis and working out.
“I’m already a disciplined person. I’m already into fitness and wellness. Cannabis enhances that.”
Like preworkout or creatine for recovery, cannabis helps her show up as her best self in every area of her life.
“If people would just see cannabis as a supplement, not with the stigma, it would change things. A lot of people who aren’t in the cannabis space just go by the propaganda they learned. It’s better to be curious about these things.”
Cannabis & Neurodivergent Children
Having a son on the autism spectrum changes KC’s approach to the conversation around kids and cannabis.
“He’s non-verbal and completely infatuated with plants. He’s been by my side since he was in a car seat, and he’s been around cannabis for that long, too. He loves to be hands-on with the plants, to be around when I’m trimming my homegrown.”
She is just starting to approach the conversation about giving her son cannabinoids.
“There’s so much fear around reefer madness and CPS [child protective services] coming for kids because there’s weed in the home. It’s a complicated conversation with CPS involved. But I think it would help, in something like a tincture that doesn’t alert [her son’s] sensory and textural sensitivities.”
KC is just as open about the plant with her other kids.
“My daughter knows what mom’s flowers are. It’s no different than having a bottle of wine on the counter–she knows it’s not for her.”
In terms of consumption, KC sticks with what works best for her: flower in water pipes. And honestly? It’s not a big deal.
“I don’t hide it from them – even the smoking. There’s no need to do that.”
Like many parents, the conversation around cannabis is a gateway into a conversation about plant medicine, the earth, and our connection to nature.
“My kids are homeschooled, and we talk about different plants, how to grow them, and the medicinal properties of herbs.”
Does cannabis help her on her motherhood journey? KC thinks so.
“Cannabis has always been positive and uplifting for me. It enhances my way of living and makes me more fun. It helps me stay calm.”
With two kids under 10 and a baby at home, calm is important.
“Having a 7-year-old, a 5-year-old, and a baby makes the days totally crazy. I had a C-section with my last baby, and the recovery was completely different. If I didn’t have cannabis…” KC trailed off here, eyes wide.
What advice would KC give to parents curious about cannabis for themselves or their kids?
“Be curious and do your own research. Follow your gut and don’t be afraid to go down the rabbit hole to find the truth.”
You can reach out to KC via LinkedIn or email.
