State marijuana regulators throughout the nation are marking the vacation season with messages about gifting hashish as a gift, making infused Christmas cookies and holding merchandise safe.
From California to New Jersey and New York to Virginia, regulatory our bodies overseeing authorized markets are partaking shoppers on social media with holiday-themed posts, spreading the phrase about their respective marijuana legal guidelines and leaning into hashish tradition.
California’s Division of Hashish Management (DCC), for instance, shared an animated GIF on X (previously Twitter) that appears like a grandmother holding baked items embellished with a marijuana leaf, with textual content that asks followers about their “favourite hashish vacation recipe.”
— CA Division of Hashish Management (@CAcannabisdept) December 16, 2023
New Jersey’s Hashish Regulatory Fee (CRC), in the meantime, is reminding adults that they’re allowed to “legally present as much as one ounce of hashish to adults 21 years and older in New Jersey,” with particulars concerning the coverage featured on a seasonal picture of items, tree ornaments and pine twigs.
“Don’t neglect although, it’s unlawful to move hashish throughout state traces,” the message provides, adopted by a hyperlink to a authorities listing of licensed marijuana retailers.
It’s possible you’ll legally present as much as one ounce of hashish to adults 21 years and older in New Jersey. Remember although, it’s unlawful to move hashish throughout state traces. Discover a authorized dispensary at https://t.co/EZXOysvhuN pic.twitter.com/3T3KAUnLls
— New Jersey Hashish Regulatory Fee (@NewJerseyCRC) December 20, 2023
In neighboring New York, the state Workplace of Hashish Administration (OCM) shared a “Vacation Stash Security” information final week that options recommendations on storing marijuana merchandise to forestall youth entry and keep away from unintended ingestion.
“Maintain your spirits excessive and your stash safe this vacation season with these OCM protected storage practices,” regulators mentioned within the put up, which additionally comprises emergency contact info that folks can use if somebody wants assist after by chance consuming marijuana or taking an excessive amount of at a vacation gathering.
🎄 Maintain your spirits excessive and your stash safe this vacation season with these OCM protected storage practices.
When you assume somebody has been by chance uncovered to a hashish product, or has consumed an excessive amount of, name the Poison Heart at 1-800-222-1222. Name 911 if it is an emergency. pic.twitter.com/tkw7SUfO3I
— NYS Workplace of Hashish Administration (@nys_cannabis) December 13, 2023
New York officers additionally promoted the state’s hashish gifting coverage in the course of the season of giving, reminding adults that they’ll “unfold vacation pleasure with a joint or two!”
“Keep in mind, it’s authorized to share the present of #NYcannabis with anybody over 21,” OCM mentioned, with a hyperlink to the workplace’s dispensary location verification web page so folks can discover “the right merchandise to present at your nearest authorized dispensary.”
🎄 Unfold vacation pleasure with a joint or two! Keep in mind, it is authorized to share the present of #NYcannabis with anybody over 21.
Uncover the right merchandise to present at your nearest authorized dispensary: https://t.co/ogmFXpM7I9 pic.twitter.com/E0sGtQSChj
— NYS Workplace of Hashish Administration (@nys_cannabis) December 15, 2023
In one other put up, OCM promoted the state’s marijuana farmers markets which can be working by way of the tip of the 12 months beneath a transitional program that’s sunsetting.
Adults can provide “the present of inexperienced this vacation season” with a “number of merchandise best for gifting” from the Hashish Growers Showcases, regulators mentioned. On the identical time, patrons can be “supporting native #NYcannabis growers and types.”
🎁 Give the present of inexperienced this vacation season! Discover quite a lot of merchandise best for gifting these 21+, all whereas supporting native #NYcannabis growers and types.
📍 Discover a CGS close to you by December 31: https://t.co/UnYpjcsvTv
— NYS Workplace of Hashish Administration (@nys_cannabis) December 21, 2023
And in Virginia, the state Hashish Management Authority (CCA) is reminding shoppers to discover a designated sober driver in the event that they plan to devour marijuana as they rejoice the vacations.
“Planning to get excessive on vacation cheer? As you gear up for the festivities, preserve the nice occasions rollin’ within the most secure approach attainable, and ensure your plans embrace a sober journey,” regulators mentioned.
Planning to get excessive on vacation cheer?
As you gear up for the festivities, preserve the nice occasions rollin’ within the most secure approach attainable, and ensure your plans embrace a sober journey.#NationalImpairedDrivingPreventionMonth pic.twitter.com/C22NM5NRD0
— Virginia Hashish Management Authority (@Virginia_CCA) December 19, 2023
In Connecticut, in the meantime, the state Division of Client Safety (DCP) gave residents well timed discover that, as they make preparations for the vacation, adults gained’t be capable to purchase alcohol on Christmas or New 12 months’s Day—however hashish retailers can keep open beneath the state’s legalization regulation. Officers issued an analogous reminder forward of Thanksgiving this 12 months.
Taken collectively, the social media posts mirror a brand new regular in how states are partaking with the marijuana group in an evolving, post-prohibition society—departing with stigma and punitive messaging whereas embracing the tradition, commerce and good cheer of hashish.
In step with that development, final month California and New York marijuana regulators individually inspired folks to reap the benefits of Black Friday offers and help small companies by looking for hashish at licensed retailers.
Earlier this 12 months earlier than the hashish vacation 4/20, in the meantime, New York’s governor introduced the launch of a public training marketing campaign meant to encourage adults to purchase their marijuana from licensed outlets to make sure that merchandise are protected and that income is used to advance fairness and reinvestment objectives.
Photograph courtesy of Philip Steffan.