Cannamama Chats with: Jenna
The last time we checked in with Jenna, she was parenting her daughter and using cannabis again after a long break through pregnancy to remain present, joyful, and patient with the big feelings that come with toddlerhood. Flash-forward two years and Jenna is now a mother of 2! We wanted to check back in with her to hear how her cannabis journey has evolved, especially as she takes on the newborn days again. If you’ve ever struggled (or are currently struggling) with feeling like a bad mom for being a mom who smokes weed, we hope Jenna’s words are a balm to the sore spots on your heart. Jenna is an incredible mom who finds such joy in her children, in no small part because she takes care of herself and doesn’t burden herself with the judgment of others.
What’s your weed routine? Are you a post-bedtime only smoker? An all-day consumer? How do you like to consume and has that changed with different stages of parenting?
My weed routine varies based on my mood and what I have planned for the day, but if I’m at home with no plans other than hanging out with the kiddos I smoke as needed. If I’m feeling overstimulated, cage-y or like I should be somewhere else, cannabis helps me to instead feel joy and connection in those moments. I still find smoking is my favourite route of consumption because the relief is measurable and shorter lived. I find edibles can sneak up on me and last wayyy too long sometimes.
If you’re co-parenting, is your co-parent on-board with your cannabis use? Have you had to navigate differences in opinion?
We are both very on board with each others cannabis use. It helps us co parent by dropping our egos and just enjoying moments that we may otherwise have spent stressing out or arguing. In a way, it slows our pace to match that of our kids. The to do list seems less important than spending time together, if that makes sense?
How do you think through talking to your children about your cannabis use? How have those conversations changed as your kids have gotten older?
I have a 5 year old and a baby so we haven’t chatted about it yet, but I think about it often! My oldest asks more and more questions all the time. I tend to lean into cannabis parenting related podcasts for advice in this realm (Blunt Blowin Mama is a great one).
How do you navigate the perceptions of other parents, daycare providers, teachers, etc.? Do you worry about your children telling others about their Mama’s cannabis use?
Hmmm as I’m growing into my 30s I definitely care less and less about the perceptions of others. I care more about making other Mamas feel less stressed about their cannabis use. And, honestly, when I have opened up and shared about my cannabis use, I’ve (almost) never felt judged. Although there is a long way to go, the stigma has come way down with legalization in Canada.
What are you most proud of as a mom who smokes weed?
I am proud of myself for being able to be so open about being a canna-mama! Also just being able to host so many moms and dads navigating cannabis at Prairie and Luna is such a dream!!