Pubdate: Thu, 28 May 2015 Source: Denver Post (CO) Copyright: 2015 The Denver Post Corp Contact: http://www.denverpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122 Author: Katie Shapiro MARIJUANA MANNERS The Great-Granddaughter of Etiquette Empress Emily Post Clears the Air on Pot The unspoken rules of the "puff, puff, pass" ritual - including all of the steps it takes to toke up - are obvious to those who already partake. But for those just now starting to explore the world of cannabis, there's a lot to learn. The etiquette surrounding marijuana use has long been in play, even from traditional experts on manners. The Emily Post Institute was talking about how a host should handle marijuana as early as 1982. The "Party Preparations" section of "The Complete Book of Entertaining from The Emily Post Institute" explained: "Another problem that many hostesses face today is that of the guests who want to smoke marijuana. If the hostess approves of the practice and is untroubled by the fact that it is illegal, of course she has no problem. But if she does not approve and is concerned about people breaking the law in her home, she should say so firmly. The moment she sees the first joint being lighted or passed around she should tell her guests that she's sorry if she's being a spoilsport, but she doesn't want people smoking in her home where she would be held responsible if the illegal use of marijuana were detected. Then rather than letting the group continue to sit and chat, she should get some lively games or activities under way to distract them." Pretty liberal social etiquette for the early '80s, no? And according to Lizzie Post, great-granddaughter of Emily Post, author and spokeswoman for The Emily Post Institute, "our society is - and has been - more forgiving about a joint than a cigarette at the table," Post said. Lizzie Post was born and raised in Burlington, Vt. She's rooted there still (and a University of Vermont graduate, too), so the subject of cannabis was never as taboo as it was in other parts of the country - and perhaps as a result, she has always categorized pot alongside alcohol. "Like anything else, don't assume everybody does it," she says. "Wine as a hostess gift is just so ingrained in our culture, and the same thing could one day happen with pot. At its core, etiquette is a behavior that affects two people, and smoking pot is obviously something that affects people." Now that marijuana is more accepted at formal social occasions, questions are becoming more common on how to integrate cannabis with class. According to a recent study conducted by online legal marketplace Avvo among residents of Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington state, 44.6 percent say they'd consider bringing a bag of pot to a dinner party instead of a bottle of wine - and Coloradans are the most open to this idea (with 49 percent in support). "Since the legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado and Washington in 2014 and additional states implementing medical marijuana laws, the social acceptance of marijuana is gaining momentum," said Leigh McMillan, Avvo's vice president of marketing. "With increased entrepreneurial interests, states' desires for new tax revenues and five more states considering legalization measures on ballots in 2016, that level of mainstream support will likely only continue to grow." As it becomes legal in more states, marijuana is something The Emily Post Institute is considering for its Emily Post's Etiquette 19th Edition. Until then, Post has exclusively shared these five starter tips for best pot practices at a party. Do you know for sure your host smokes pot? If they do, it's appropriate to bring as a gift. Remember: Since it's a gift, your host doesn't have to smoke it with you, or even that night. A small glass jar or a pre-rolled joint or two makes for a classic presentation. Is your new boss on the guest list? Is it dinner with your best friends? Whether as a guest or as a host, always be sure to ask permission and where your host would prefer you to smoke, just as you would with a cigarette. Just like with alcohol, unless it's a gift, feel free to take your pot and glass with you when you leave. Unlike wine, pot rarely messes up a menu. But never feel obligated to include it as part of the meal - or even the entire evening - if it's presented. Be respectful of those who don't smoke. Remember that even if the host is comfortable with it, some other guests might not be as pro-pot, so keep it casual and try not to let smoking turn into the main event for the night. While it may turn out that only a couple of you smoke, your offer should be to all guests at the party. Just the same way you wouldn't serve wine or dessert to only a couple guests, you should make sure there is enough pot for everyone to join in. Always be inclusive; sneaking off to smoke with just one or two other guests is not appropriate. "Just because (marijuana) was illegal before, doesn't mean there wasn't etiquette and courtesy surrounding it," says Post. "It's all very common sense stuff, but it's definitely something that can divide or bond a group of people." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom