What’s legal?

Across the country, Canadians aged 18 or 19 and older — depending on the province — are permitted to have up to 30 grams of cannabis in public and share it with others. You can grow up to four cannabis plants per residence (no, not per person) for personal use. In stores, you can purchase dried cannabis, oils, capsules, and sprays. While you’re permitted to make edibles at home, selling edibles is currently prohibited — at least until October 17, 2019 (products will become available for sale by mid-December).

Depending on the city or province you’re in, you may or may not be restricted in terms of where you’re allowed to smoke — for example, Ontario doesn’t allow smokers in any indoor public area, or within 20 metres of a school, playground, or daycare. Generally, people in Canada can smoke on their own properties, but landlords can prevent renters from doing so if they choose.

Any cannabis on your property, including infused edibles, should be kept out of reach of children and pets (ideally in a locked container or area of the house).

What strains should you offer?

Laurie Wolf — whom The New Yorker called the “Martha Stewart of Marijuana” — is a food writer and author of several cannabis cookbooks. She says. that when hosting a party where cannabis is the main event, it’s best to start off the night with offerings of sativa-dominant strains. They encourage guests to be more chatty and engaged, as they are known to increase alertness and energy.

When the night is winding down, Wolf suggests switching to indica-dominant strains, which are known for their relaxing effects.

But Wolf also cautions that strains aren’t as cleanly defined as they may seem, so hosts should be aware of the presence of different terpenes — organic compounds found in cannabis that can affect the taste and effects — that may ultimately determine which strain best fits your needs.

How should guests partake?

You have your strains, but how are you planning on dishing them out? You can go the traditional route and offer cannabis in joints, vapes or bongs, all of which allow guests to feel the effects right away, and to taste the hints of flavour in each strain. But it might hurt the mood if someone has a coughing fit from all the smoke, and Wolf says some guests may not want to share germs along with the cannabis partygoers are passing around.

Using various cannabis butters and oils to create edibles is one alternative. That’s not just for brownies – any dish you can think of can be infused with cannabis in some way. But there’s always the risk that a guest may eat too much and get high too quickly and intensely. “You don’t feel shitty until you’ve eaten too much and there’s nothing you can do about that,” Wolf says.

What dose is best?

Determining an optimal dose of cannabis in any form requires careful consideration. It is best to consult with your a healthcare provider in order to determine your optimal individual dose.

To keep her guests from going overboard — and allow them to try multiple dishes — Wolf says that at her own parties, she’ll only add up to two milligrams of THC for each piece of food. Wolf also typically aims for 10 mgs of THC per guest maximum and properly labels everything ahead of time to make sure everyone is aware of each edible’s potency.

Safety first

As with any large get-together, hosts incorporating cannabis at an event should have plenty of food and water available for guests in case they feel light-headed, and keep a first-aid kit nearby. It’s also important to make sure guests start slow, with low amounts of cannabis, and only take more if they feel comfortable with the dose. If someone takes too much and begins to feel symptoms of nausea, dizziness or increased anxiety — typically referred to as “greening out” —  water and a calm place to rest is a first step while determining a guest’s needs. But don’t play doctor. If a guest is unwell seek help immediately from a medical professional.

Basic cannabis etiquette

Aside from typical party etiquette (don’t double dip, change the song, or take someone else’s shoes at the front door), there are a few cannabis-specific social rules to follow for a stress-free event. The tried-and-true “puff, puff, pass” protocol is one: When sharing a joint or a vape, inhale twice, then pass it to the next person. Also: Get permission before smoking inside, or near another guest. Most importantly, read the room; if every other guest is taking it easy, this might not be the best time to over-indulge.

Creating a good atmosphere

To keep guests in a party mood, Wolf suggests carefully curated playlists for the evening. She also says it’s worthwhile to have different activities available for guests — she keeps colouring books and games on hand, for example, for those who might want to do their own thing for a while. And no party is complete without good snacks; Wolf says her guests typically want foods heavy on the carbs, and insists she’s never served up a strain that didn’t work well with white chocolate.