Is It Just Me… or do you think we should have a dialogue about marijuana and microdosing?

When my kids were young, I knew we were going to need to educate them on the risks of smoking and drinking. As the years have gone by, with marijuana being legalized in many states in America, weed is part of the conversation, too.

I am a mom of three—two of whom are teenagers—and they ask real questions marijuana. I am glad that marijuana is something I have experience with so I can talk to them knowledgeably–before you judge and think, what the heck? Let me give you some context.

I’ve had chronic migraines for over 20 years. Twenty. For 10 of those years, I was living with 20+ migraine days a month. It was exhausting. Desperate doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt.

When you’re in that much pain, you’ll try just about anything. And so, over the years, people would gently (or boldly) ask, “Have you tried medical marijuana?” Or, “What about microdosing?”

At first, I’ll admit—I brushed it off. It sounded “out there.” But the longer I lived in pain, the more curious I became. That’s what desperation does. It softens your certainty.

Eventually, I did try medical marijuana. It changed my life.

No, seriously. I went from hiding in dark rooms while someone else took care of my kids, to actually being present—making dinner, doing bedtime, functioning. And it wasn’t just the physical relief. I had more patience. I could breathe. I could roll with the punches of parenting in a way I hadn’t been able to for years.

It gave me my life back.

And it gave me something else, too: a reason to talk to my kids about this stuff—openly, honestly, without shame.

From Taboo to Talkable

Let’s be real: marijuana isn’t the scary, secretive thing it used to be. In fact, one in five adults in the U.S. used it last year. Daily marijuana use has officially surpassed daily alcohol use. And legalization? It’s here—38 states for medical use, 24 (plus DC) for recreational.

That’s the landscape our kids are growing up in.

But here’s what really surprised me: teen marijuana use has declined since 2011. So while it’s more visible than ever, it’s not necessarily more prevalent among teens. Still—conversations about cannabis (and other substances) need to happen. Not with panic. Not with shame. But with facts, curiosity, and empathy.

And What About Microdosing?

Microdosing—specifically psilocybin (the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms”)—is popping up more and more in conversations I never expected. Creative professionals, burned-out parents, people living with anxiety or depression—many are exploring small, non-hallucinogenic doses to find relief or insight.

To be clear, science is still catching up. The stories are compelling, but studies are mixed. And legally, we’re still in a gray area. A handful of cities and states are exploring supervised therapeutic use, but for the most part, it’s not something you’ll find at your corner wellness store. Not yet.

Still, it raises a question I’m genuinely asking:

Should we be talking more about this?

As a mom, as a woman living in a very real body with very real needs, and as someone raising kids who are growing up in a very different world than I did… I think we should.

Let’s Talk—Without the Stigma

Look, I don’t have all the answers. But I do know that hiding from conversations never helped anyone. And I want to raise kids who are informed, thoughtful, and empowered to make choices—not just terrified into silence.

We talk about marijuana in my house the same way we talk about Tylenol, alcohol, or how to manage stress—openly. Respectfully. Realistically. Because the truth is, pretending it’s not out there doesn’t make it go away.

So, is it just me…

Or are you also wondering how to talk about these things?

Have you tried microdosing? Did medical marijuana change your life too? Are your kids asking questions you’re not quite sure how to answer?

I’d love to know.

I’m considering bringing in a few experts to help us all better understand this new terrain—what’s hype, what’s helpful, what’s risky, and what’s real.

So DM me. Leave a comment. Share your “Is it just me?” moment.

Because no matter where you are in the conversation, one thing’s for sure:

You’re not the only one wondering.

Until next time, stay curious, stay calm, and keep talking.

Much love,

Gayle