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 am to highlight the reality of moms who consume cannabis, why they do it, and how they approach the conversation with their children.
Mom Spotlight
Name: Chrissy Harrell
Location: Louisiana
Founder, Firefly Growth Solutions
Head of Sales and Distribution, Country Roads Distribution
Kids: 2 stepsons (20, 18) and 2 biological kids (14, 12)
Preferred consumption method: edibles
I couldn’t see how cannabis and motherhood went together. Now, it’s like peanut butter and jelly
Cannabis & Motherhood: Chrissy Harrell
I first met Chrissy Harrell over the internet. I was sharing my van journey on LinkedIn and posted about being in Biloxi, Mississippi. Chrissy sent me a DM and asked if I wanted an inside look at the medical market.
I had no idea there was even a medical market in Mississippi, so I jumped at the chance. She picked me up from my van (in a parking lot!) and we spent the day visiting several local businesses, including a grow facility, a concentrates manufacturing facility, and a few dispensaries. I was blown away by the passion of the people working in the industry and the quality of the product. While the MS market was nascent and limited, it was being heartily embraced (for the South, anyway).
Since then, I’ve watched Chrissy lead the charge for cannabis normalization in the South, alongside other women like Monica Roerig Olano, tirelessly advocating for cannabis access and less stigma around parents who consume.
How Motherhood Brought Her Back to Cannabis
Chrissy shared with me that her introduction to cannabis in the early 2000s was very social. “It was introduced to me in a party environment, before and during college. You never knew what you were getting, so it was a different experience every time. But I have very chill memories of cannabis in those days. Weed people used to sit around at parties and share stories – very community-oriented.”
But life got in the way. “I graduated and got an adult job, and I just didn’t see how cannabis fit into my life.”
She took a long break from cannabis. There were other, more acceptable coping mechanisms.
“I was old enough to drink, so I went to bars and self-medicated there. I was escaping. Alcohol was pushed as the norm, but I’ve never had a good relationship with it. Some people can consume a few drinks and be fine, but that’s not me.”
Her turning point with cannabis came about in 2020, years after the birth of her children.
“I stopped drinking completely. To deal with that, I turned to medical cannabis. It piqued my interest because it was different when it was legal – tested. I could tailor my consumption to meet my needs as a consumer.”
Cannabis and Motherhood in the Deep South
But living in the Deep South brought its own set of challenges, even in a state with a medical marijuana program.
“I’m from the northeast. I was shocked to see how much pearl-clutching there was from southern moms when cannabis entered the conversation. I want to reduce the stigma.”
Chrissy came back to the plant years after the birth of her kids – but that plant has still had a major impact on the way she parents.
“Cannabis improves my quality of life. I don’t have time to do it socially – it’s about my well-being. Now that I have kids, I’m much more mindful about how and when I consume. My kids and their schedules come first, so I can’t just take an edible at 5 pm if I want one. If I’m wired at night, I set an alarm to take an edible so it kicks in just before bedtime. My timing has to be good; if I take it too late, I may be groggy in the morning, but if I take it too early, I won’t be as functional as I need to be.”
That intentionality is a core piece of Chrissy’s relationship with the cannabis plant.
“It’s about finding balance. You can overindulge in anything – even water. It needs to be a value-add to my life.”
Talking to Kids About Cannabis
Like many canna-parents, Chrissy faces the conversation around the plant head-on.
“Every kid is different. My oldest stepson – he’s not interested at all. But my younger stepson is a different story. He started experimenting much younger. But I had compassion for him because I know cannabis is medicine, and I know that kids who experiment with substances are trying to deal with something. My consumption gave me credibility with him when we sat down to talk about it. I could be honest with him about his brain development and valid use cases for THC.”
Age plays a big role in how Chrissy frames the conversation around the plant.
“Kids don’t need to be bubble-wrapped, but they should be exposed to age-appropriate things. You don’t have to share everything about the plant or any plant medicine.”
So, talking about weed looks a little different for her little ones.
“For my younger kids, they know that Mom’s medicine helps me be my best self. They can see my life is better than it was 5 years ago. I’m honest with them that it’s a plant, it’s medicine, and it was put here for humans to use intentionally. It’s one of many plants that can help us with ailments and conditions.”
And, the effects are obvious.
“Cannabis makes me a better mom. A more chill mom. It takes the edge off, so I’m calmer and more engaged. I can shut the ‘work’ section of my brain off and really be present with them. It makes quality time with Mom better – not different, like with alcohol. I’m 100% more patient, more thoughtful, and less irritated.”
Trading Wine Moms for Weed Moms
Chrissy would love to see other moms give cannabis a try, instead of a nightly drink.
“Wine O’Clock is such brilliant marketing. It’s not the savior of moms – there are so many negative side effects of drinking that you don’t get with cannabis.”
But Chrissy also acknowledges that cannabis has its limitations.
“It’s not for everyone. If you struggle with anxiety, sleep, or pain, there are other plants out there to help [outside of cannabis].”
Still, the stigma in the South is slowly changing.
“It’s getting easier to talk about weed with people. My friends who thought it was weird that I got into this industry are now using topicals and eating edibles. It’s really cool to see folks opening up to the idea that cannabis makes you feel good. Even here in the south, Mom culture is shifting.”
Cannabis has also helped fill a social void that alcohol left.
“People can get uncomfortable with just drinking water. The beautiful thing about cannabis getting into the CPG space is that I can have a hemp drink when I’m out with my friends. It takes the load off and creates a more inclusive environment.”
How to Parent with Cannabis
What advice would she give to parents who are curious about cannabis?
“Do your research. Go to a dispensary and ask questions. Talk to credible folks. It’s much easier than it used to be to find credible information and trustworthy brands. The rule is low and slow for a reason. Then, document your experience–do you feel better, better day, sleep better?”
And perhaps most importantly, remember your kids are unique individuals.
“There’s no rule book for how to parent. If you lead with love and listening, and your heart is open to listening. Your kids are unique people. They are not extensions of you. Nurture them and love them and support them, and chances are, they’ll be okay.”
For Chrissy, cannabis is that piece that helps her show up as her fullest and best self.
“I wish I had been consuming cannabis when they were younger! I probably would have slept better.” Chrissy laughs. “But I bought into the propaganda. I couldn’t see how cannabis and motherhood went together. Now, it’s like peanut butter and jelly.”
You can contact Chrissy on her website or connect via LinkedIn.
