Cannabis, Parenting, and the Stigma That Won’t Quit
We live in a society where few bat an eye if parents pour a glass of wine at the end of the day — but raise eyebrows the moment a parent lights up a cannabis joint or takes a tincture, even in states where it’s legal. Decades of government messaging turned a plant with a long global history into the so-called “devil’s lettuce.” And even now, with laws changing, the stigma lingers.
Double Standards and Outdated Policies
Even with legalization on the rise, many states still enforce rules that collide with everyday life for cannabis users — especially parents. For example:
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Many states don’t allow residents to hold both a medical cannabis card and a concealed carry permit.
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In some places, parents can lose custody or face investigations simply for consuming cannabis.
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Meanwhile, alcohol use rarely triggers the same scrutiny — despite well-documented risks.
This double standard remains strong in social circles too. A mom with a wine glass is relatable. A mom with a vape pen? Too often, she’s labeled irresponsible.
Cannabis Use and Family Separation
It can happen anywhere — even in states like California, where adult-use cannabis is legal. Dr. Charles Sophy, medical director of LA County’s Department of Child and Family Services, confirmed:
“Even though marijuana is legal in California, it's still possible for the Department... to remove kids from the home for parental marijuana use.”
And this isn’t rare. Reports have shown families losing custody or facing court orders because a parent tested positive for THC — regardless of whether there was actual neglect or harm. Some stories:
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Ms. D in New York: Smoked occasionally, never around her kids. After admitting this to an investigator, she faced child neglect charges and was forced into daily drug treatment. [source]
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Savannah Lackey in California: Had a legal medical prescription and was cultivating cannabis at home. Authorities raided her property, seized her plants, and removed her children at gunpoint. [source]
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A mother in Idaho: Used cannabis for multiple sclerosis. When her child was wrongly accused of bringing cannabis to school, the state removed all three of her children pending an investigation.
Who Is Most Affected?
Statistics and real-life cases show that people of color face a higher risk of arrest, surveillance, and child welfare intervention tied to cannabis — despite similar rates of use across racial groups. Reports from organizations like The Appeal and the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare note that cannabis policing often mirrors older forms of discrimination, echoing what some call the “modern-day slave trade” in how harshly it impacts Black and Latinx families.
Cannabis vs. Alcohol: A Cultural Contrast
Facts and health data continue to show a strange imbalance:
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The CDC notes that there’s no evidence of a fatal cannabis overdose.
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Alcohol, meanwhile, contributes to an estimated 88,000 deaths annually in the U.S., and is linked to liver disease, cancers, and other serious health conditions.
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Despite this, alcohol is sold in nearly every grocery store and normalized at family gatherings.
Yet, consuming cannabis — even discreetly — can jeopardize parental rights in some states.
A Final Thought
Despite federal prohibition, more states are rewriting cannabis laws. But stigma is stubborn — and families pay the price when outdated policies turn a plant into a weapon against parental rights.
There’s no crackdown on orchids, roses, or wine — so why does cannabis remain so controversial, even where it’s legal? Parenting and responsible cannabis use can coexist, and it’s time society catches up.
