It is indeed a glorious time to be alive if you love your cannabis. The world we move around in just got a lot more interesting, thanks to the growing legalization of recreational use. Edibles now appear in all different forms, and there’s an entirely new market for dabbing equipment.

You know what else is trending? Cannabis tasting parties. Yes, this is a thing now. For the uninformed, think of a wine tasting event, but replace the bottles of Côte de Nuits and Petrus Pomerol with jars of Durban Poison and Sour Diesel. And, instead of choosing between red and white, you’ll be given a choice between indica, sativa, or hybrid.

Now, if you’re reading this, you either want to learn more, or you’re planning your very own cannabis tasting party and need some advice on how and where to begin with the preparations. Well, dear reader, you’ve come to the right place. Especially if you're in the latter camp, this short piece will provide you with valuable tips on what to do when hosting a party of this nature for the first time. Hopefully, these suggestions will serve you well!

Define the Intention of the Party

Before anything else, make sure your guests are fully aware of the intent of your get-together. You don't want people coming over expecting a regular tasting party, only to feel awkward once they see the hors d'oeuvres have been replaced with dabs. With that in mind, consider making weed-themed invitations to generate some excitement in the days and weeks preceding your event.

Also, be sure to request an RSVP from your guests so you know how much weed you'll need to procure, and how much you'll need to spend to do so (more on that later). With all of your guests on the same page even before the big day, you can go into your tasting party feeling confident that everyone is ready to vibe.

Pick a Theme

Next up, ask yourself this simple yet loaded question: what will my theme be? This is where you’ll set the tone and mood for the party, which will be a huge factor for your guests. If you want it to be a casual game night with the boys, say for a big fight or Super Bowl weekend, go with something that could be enjoyed while watching. Maybe you want to include pre-rolled fatties and vapes to start the party, then add in infused smoothies, brownies, and cookies for that sweet tooth.

On the other hand, you might opt for a hyper-classy event complete with white napkins, tablecloths, and even paid waitstaff. Regardless of which route you take, be clear of which one it is.

Set a Budget and Stick to It

Now, depending on where you are in the world, you will likely spend a chunk of your savings on the cannabis tasting party you’re about to throw. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be on a splurging spree. Once you’ve defined your intention, your next step is to set a reasonable budget. Figure out how much you need to spend to get adequate supplies, without going over the top and putting a huge dent in your bank account. You want to make sure your guests aren't wanting for more, yes, but remember, a little bit of cannabis goes a long way, especially with edibles.

If you’re struggling with planning the financial side of things, consider seeking help from a fellow party planner. When you’re done with your budget, be sure to stick with it. This is a good practice of discipline and living within your means. Remember that we’re living in hard times, so spend wisely.

Create a Weed Board

Imagine the most visually satisfying cheese board ever made. Now, replace all of that with at least three of your favourite strains. Variety is key for a banger of a weed board. You wouldn’t want to go full heavy indica and have all your guests plopped on the couch. Feel free to mix your strains up, and remember you can never go wrong with hybrids for that happy medium. Also, keep a CBD-rich strain on hand should anyone need to tone down the effects of THC.

Also, feel free to offer different intake options to satisfy different types of users. Some guests will naturally gravitate towards pre-rolls, while others will be more than happy to partake in dabs or vape hits. To complete your weed board, include some much-needed accessories. For your joints, you’ll need an adequate number of ashtrays and lighters, but be sure to tie your lighters to the table to prevent anyone from pocketing them “by mistake”. And, if you’re serving whole buds, have grinders, papers, and pipes at the ready.

Host a Tasting Workshop Before Letting Everyone Loose

Think of this as the warm-up before the big game. The point of this tasting workshop isn’t to get high just yet. As the name suggests, you’ll be after the flavour more than anything else. Here’s a simple way to go about it: With your preferred strain loaded up in a pipe or bong, take that first drag and hold it in your mouth. Without bringing it into your lungs, exhale. You’ll want to begin with the strain with the mildest THC content and flavour. To cleanse your palate, eat a couple of plain crackers, then repeat the tasting process until you’ve gone through the entire menu.

Serve Cannabis Mocktails and Edibles

We briefly touched on this in a previous point, but let’s dive in a little bit more. Mocktails and edibles are there to add variety to your event, and to give your lungs a much-needed break. CBD mocktails should help balance you out if you get blasted too high into orbit. They should also help refresh any cottonmouth you may have from smoking. As for the edibles, these are for those who aren’t fans of the smoke and would rather take a long-haul flight. Whether you serve sweet or savoury edibles is up to you and your guests. But if you’re going deep like that, might as well make it a delectable ride.

Go Big on Snacks for When the Munchies Attack

We all know that the after-party for any cannabis-loving individual is when the munchies attack. At this point, you’re not even thinking. Anything you find in the fridge or pantry will be a power combo. Mozzarella cheese in ramen noodles. Why not, right? And since you’re going all out with your spread, you can do the same with your munchie treats. The trick here is to have the best mix of sweet and salty to fire up those engines for a few more hours.

Here are a few ideas: marshmallow s’mores, pizza burgers, pizza popcorn, and chicken tenders coated in Doritos. But if you have guests who are health nuts, you may also want to serve some carrots, celery sticks, or some dried fruit.