Stoners everywhere spend much of their social lives perfecting their ideal joint rotation. There’s something about sharing a bong rip with a friend or passing a spliff with roommates that simply can’t be beat. Socializing remains an integral part of recreational marijuana use, especially among college students. So what is it exactly about a good puff-puff pass that keeps us coming back, and are there any drawbacks?
Although there are limited studies on social marijuana use compared to individual use, current research indicates a direct tie between social circles and marijuana consumption. A study from the National Library of Medicine found that a 10% increase in marijuana use among close friends results in a 5% increase in the likelihood of personal use. Another PubMed study on first-year college students found that participants were more likely to associate with peers who have similar smoking habits, a phenomenon they call social selection.
James Lejeune is almost exclusively a social smoker. His place is known for chill smoke nights—lots of laughs, the occasional TV binge (which he swears is essential when you’re high), and all-around good vibes.
“When I smoke alone and I don’t have anything to distract me, like a movie or a group of people to talk to, it tends to go less favorably,” Lejeune said.
Kyrnan Sechrist is a daily social smoker. He began smoking as an opportunity to make friends and socialize, as well as test his personal limits and preferences.
“It’s definitely fluctuated over my college experience,” Sechrist said. “Earlier in my college experience, I met a lot of people just from smoking because we would go to the park and friends would bring their friends, and I would meet people that way.”
Studies also show a positive statistical correlation between peer influence and smoking. In short, peer pressure goes a long way. Sechrist discovered possible downsides the hard way.
“Some of my friends smoked a lot and I would smoke with them, trying to match them, but then I realized I couldn’t really do that,” Sechrist said.
Lejeune agrees that smoking with friends has increased his marijuana use, causing him to smoke more than he would alone.
“I don’t smoke alone, so I would say that it has influenced me to smoke more,” Lejeune said. “I’d definitely be smoking less if I didn’t do it with my friends.”
Recently, he’s been trying to stay away from smoking in party settings in favor of a more intimate group of friends. Close friends can make a smoking session legendary, but strangers or distant acquaintances can trigger unexpected existential crises.
“I just kinda shut down and get really self-conscious of what I say and do, which is not how you wanna be at a party,” Lejeune said. “I definitely go for alcohol instead because it makes me more social.”
Lejeune used to smoke in party settings as well, but has since switched to alcohol for more outgoing conversation. His parting philosophy: “I would say to each their own, because I’ve had some not fun experiences. But for some people, it loosens them up and they operate better.”
Sechrist and his roommates plan to continue their social smoking group. For fledgling social smokers, it’s important to know your limits while working to impress your new friends.
“Smoke when you want to and smoke as much as you think you should,” Sechrist said. “Don’t try and match people because you think they’re cooler.”
Smoking socially is undoubtedly fun (as proven by science), but just as important are the friends you choose to be with. Expand your circle, find new rotations, celebrate the joys of being high together, and as always, stay blazed.
