Cannabis, Motherhood, and Me: Reclaiming My Identity Without Shame
- abaukham2
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Article by: Stephanie Gelinas
There was a time when I believed I had to compartmentalize who I was: mother in one box, cannabis consumer in another, career woman in yet another. Society told me these roles couldn’t coexist — that to be a “good parent,” I had to hide or deny parts of myself. But life has a way of stripping back the performative layers, and what I found underneath was this: I am all of those things at once — and I don’t need to apologize for it.
My relationship with cannabis is personal. It’s rooted in wellness, self-regulation, and clarity. But it wasn’t always something I shared openly — especially as a mom.
Becoming a Parent in a World That Still Judges
Even in Canada, where cannabis is legal and increasingly mainstream, parenting and plant medicine continue to exist on opposite ends of a cultural spectrum. Moms are still encouraged to pour a glass of wine after a long day, but light up a joint and suddenly you're “irresponsible.” It’s a double standard that many of us are still navigating.
When I first entered the cannabis industry, I had to decide whether I was going to tiptoe around that stigma — or challenge it head-on. I chose the latter.
Now, I work in cannabis sales and education full-time. I post about terpenes, product drops, and infused beverages. I also pack school lunches, attend parent-teacher interviews, and help my teenage daughter navigate the rollercoaster of adolescence. One doesn’t cancel out the other. In fact, they often support one another.
Parenting With Honesty and Intention
The most transformative decision I made was to bring my children into the conversation.
Not in a way that burdens them — but in a way that educates, empowers, and builds trust. My daughter understands that cannabis is a regulated product for adult use. It’s not glamorized or treated as a taboo in our home. It’s approached with the same respect we give to other substances — like caffeine, alcohol, or prescription medication.
By having open, age-appropriate conversations, I’ve been able to teach her about consent, boundaries, health, and decision-making. We’re building a relationship where curiosity isn’t punished — and that, to me, is the foundation of safe parenting in today’s world.
How the Plant Became Part of My Self-Care
I don’t use cannabis to numb myself from motherhood — I use it to feel more present within it.
As someone balancing work, entrepreneurship, and family life, I’ve leaned on cannabis in many of the same ways others lean on sleep aids, meditation apps, or a glass of wine. Whether it’s managing stress, easing insomnia, or simply supporting my nervous system through an emotionally heavy season, cannabis has been part of my self-care ritual.
It’s never about escaping — it’s about reconnecting. Recalibrating. Returning to myself so I can return to my family as a more grounded, regulated version of me.
The Real Impact: Less Shame, More Community
One of the most beautiful and unexpected things about being vocal in this space is the messages I receive from other parents — especially moms — who quietly say, “Thank you for speaking up.”
They’ve felt the shame. They’ve hidden their use. They’ve worried about being judged. And when they see someone else standing in her truth, it gives them permission to soften into theirs.
This is how we break generational stigma: one honest story at a time.
My Hope for the Future
I dream of a world where cannabis and parenting are not at odds, where mothers can care for themselves holistically without fear of judgment, and where conversations about cannabis are led by lived experience — not outdated fear.
If we want to raise compassionate, thoughtful, emotionally intelligent kids, we have to model what it looks like to be those things ourselves. That includes showing them what healthy, responsible, intentional cannabis use can look like.
I don’t claim to have all the answers. But I do know that stepping into my full identity — mother, advocate, cannabis consumer — has allowed me to parent with more authenticity and less shame.
And maybe that’s the real goal: to raise kids who know their worth by watching us reclaim ours.
Contributor Info
Full Name: Stephanie Gelinas
Preferred Byline: Steph G.
Instagram: @sesh.with.steph
LinkedIn: Stephanie Gelinas | LinkedIn
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