Review: Lizzie Post’s Beginner’s Guide to Cannabis, Higher Etiquette

When I heard that Emily Post’s granddaughter was writing an etiquette manual for cannabis I was super interested. Putting the clout of the family name behind the cannabis industry felt like a huge step forward in normalizing consumption past the super stoner persona. 

At 179 pages, Higher Etiquette: A Guide to the World of Cannabis, from Dispensaries to Dinner Parties (published by Ten Speed Press) feels just accessible enough to keep around to reference when you’re in a new cannabis situation. The cover, art, size, look, and feel are perfect. 

I went into this reading sesh with the same excitement as if I were smoking a new strain. That buzz left me quickly as I began to pitter through the first third of Higher Etiquette

Review: Lizzie Post's Beginner's Guide to Cannabis, Higher Etiquette
Courtesy of Penguin Random House

The Good, The Bad, And The Hazy

One would assume that if buying a book on cannabis etiquette that one would be decently familiar with cannabis. Reading the blurb and introduction didn’t prepare me for page after page of menial cannabis terminology and facts. If I had wanted a guide to understand the plant— grow methods and products that can be made from cannabis—I would have read Ed Rosenthal. 

The section describing three prominent terpenes and the effects of those terpenes turned me off completely. Everyone has their own body chemistry. No one can assume to know what will happen when I ingest any strain regardless of its chemical makeup.

That aside, Post delivered exactly what I expected for the rest of the book. A comprehensible beginner’s guide to the world of cannabis etiquette. I found some really great ideas inside for hosting friends, setting house rules, and being a bit “brunch fancy.”

I found the section on how to smoke very valuable. Even if you’re a seasoned consumer, there are things to learn here. For myself, I learned that you can ask someone to clear the rest of the smoke from the bong before passing it if you can’t handle doing so yourself. If no one wants to clear, or you don’t feel comfortable asking, allow the smoke to dissipate before passing.

The chapter on drinkable cannabis was illuminating. Remembering to explain to each guest coming to your home what is in each concoction and making sure no one accidentally doses without their knowledge is food for thought. These are things that, as a party runs on, a host may forget to mention to new guests.

Travel tips are given as well, Post also covers weed weddings and vacations that are solely focused on nug hunting. I find these tips valuable for everyone in the fledgling post-prohibition world. 

For the writing itself, the book is an easy read and is laid out in a manner that makes the progression of reading enjoyable. The art inside of the book is perfect and the muted color scheme relaxing. Extra tips and knowledge are folded in without being obtrusive. I’m quite impressed with the layout of this title.

It’s my hope that Post will follow up with an intermediate guide. My assumption is that books relating to the cannabis industry will grow in volume and readability as we continue to move out of prohibition. 

Lizzie Post’s cannabis debut left me wanting, but open to hearing more from the author. I found value in reading the guide and think you could too.