CYA Disclaimer:
This isn’t medical advice, legal advice, or an excuse to turn your living room into a Phish parking lot. Know your guests. Serve thoughtfully. And please, don’t be the guy handing out 100mg gummies labeled “trust me.”
Why Cannabis Deserves a Seat at the Table
For too long, cannabis has been treated like a secret—or worse, a punchline. Meanwhile, wine gets a seat at every dinner party without anyone thinking twice. It’s time we gave cannabis the same respect. Thoughtful. Welcoming. Grown-up.
I’m not talking about neon weed leaves and Bob Marley posters. I’m talking about treating cannabis with the same care and sophistication you bring to a great bottle of wine – elegant, easy, and part of a gathering that feels real. Cannabis belongs at the table, handled with the same thoughtfulness and intention you give everything else you serve with heart.
I started Dexter Co because I wanted something that didn’t exist where I lived. As a Texan now in Arkansas, I was tired of the tacky stereotypes. I’m 50. I have a house with real furniture. I wanted cannabis accessories that fit my life – and gatherings where cannabis belonged without taking over.
Here’s the thing: Hosting with cannabis isn’t about getting everyone high. It’s about offering it with the same casual ease as a glass of bourbon or a slice of pie – thoughtful, relaxed, no big production.
Hosting Isn’t About Getting High — It’s About Great Cannabis Hospitality
Good cannabis hospitality sets a tone: easy, welcoming, and real. It’s not about making cannabis the center of attention. It’s about creating a space where guests feel comfortable, connected, and a little more themselves.
Great food. Great drinks. Great cannabis. Great conversation.
That’s it.
Cannabis should be part of the vibe, not the center of attention. A well-rolled joint passed around the fire pit. A low-dose gummy tucked into a beautiful dish. A night where, shockingly, everyone actually puts their phones down.
Because the real magic of cannabis hospitality isn’t what’s on the table – it’s the easy, real moments that happen around it.
How to Serve Cannabis Like a Pro (Especially for Newbies and the Canna-Curious)
When you’re hosting, pay extra attention to the canna-curious and first-timers. They’re not looking to blast off – they’re looking to belong. The goal isn’t to impress them with your stash; it’s to help them have a smooth, relaxed experience. Think tiny steps: a 2.5mg gummy or a gentle puff on a joint. Explain things simply, without making a big deal about it. Being a good host means reading the room and making sure everyone feels seen, not overwhelmed.
- Know your guests. If Jim’s never smoked in his life and Rachel’s a daily user, don’t treat them the same. Let people know cannabis will be available ahead of time, just like you’d mention dinner or drinks.
- Start low, go slow. Especially with edibles. A 5mg gummy is your best friend. Save the 10mg+ adventures for another day.
- Skip the infused foods and drinks. It sounds cool until someone eats five infused meatballs and disappears for the night. Stick to simple, clearly dosed options like gummies.
- Ditch the vapes. They’re too easy to overdo. A joint or a gummy keeps things manageable and social.
- Label everything. Strain, dose, effects—make it easy. You don’t want guests playing cannabis roulette.
- Always offer non-canna options. Sparkling water, mocktails, good snacks. No one should feel pressured to partake.
- Set the scene. Comfortable seating, good lighting, background music. The usual hospitality touches — but elevated.
Real Talk: Why Thoughtful Cannabis Hospitality Matters
The first time I hosted a cannabis-friendly gathering, I thought, “Hey, we’re all adults, we’ll figure it out.” Big mistake. One guy ate two mystery brownies and spent the night talking to my dog. Another friend tapped out before dessert even hit the table. I learned real quick: thoughtful doses, clear labels, and calm introductions matter. Good hosting is about setting people up for a good time – not sending them into orbit.
When I first got my medical marijuana license, it opened up a whole new world. But it didn’t come with a manual. I had to figure it out the hard way – and honestly, I could have used a host who knew how to make it feel normal.
Down here in the South, cannabis still carries a heavy stigma. People are using it quietly for sleep, anxiety, pain–but they don’t want to be lumped in with the old “lazy stoner” cliché.
A grown-up host gets that.
You create a cannabis hospitality setting that feels as natural as offering a bourbon after dinner. No pressure. No spectacle. Just hospitality.
The Vibe You’re Going For
If you really want to step it up, create a ‘Cannabis Welcome Tray.’ Just like you’d set out a cheese board or wine station, set up a clean, elegant tray with labeled joints, low-dose edibles, matches, and maybe even a little card that explains the options. Make it beautiful. Make it easy. Make it optional. That way, people can engage – or not – at their own pace, without feeling spotlighted.
Picture this: brisket on the smoker. Bourbon poured neat. A couple of joints neatly rolled and ready. No big announcement. No neon signs. Just a thoughtful spread and that relaxed energy that reminds everyone why we bother to gather at all.
It’s not about cannabis being the thing. It’s about cannabis hospitality being part of a thoughtful, welcoming experience that makes your guests feel truly taken care of.
If you do it right, they won’t just remember the food or the music. They’ll remember the way the night felt–easy, open, real. Maybe even a little magical.
And they’ll remember you: the host who made cannabis feel as natural and welcome as everything else worth sharing at the table.
Author Bio
Brad Harvey is the founder of Dexter Co, a cannabis hospitality company redefining what it means to gather well. A former marketer turned cannabis evangelist, Brad blends Southern charm with high-end entertaining. He believes joints and charcuterie belong on the same tray, and he’s on a mission to make cannabis hospitality feel less like a trend and more like home. More at dexterco.life.
References
- SXSW and Texas Cannabis 2024 – Fat Nugs Magazine
Exploring how cannabis culture is evolving in Texas and beyond. - The Beating Heart of MJBizCon: Equity Row and the Fight for Cannabis Justice – Fat Nugs Magazine
A look at the people pushing for real equity in cannabis. - Why the Midwest is the Perfect Destination for Your Next Cannabis-Infused Adventure – Fat Nugs Magazine
How the Midwest is quietly becoming a cannabis travel hotspot. - 8 Common Cannabis Consumer Mistakes to Avoid This Holiday – Fat Nugs Magazine
Practical tips for smart, responsible cannabis consumption during gatherings.
