Weed & Writing: Creating a Solo Cannabis Writing Retreat

Written by Hannah Eko

I started smoking weed when I was twenty-nine. 

Fresh out of five years of military school and six years in the Coast Guard, I was keen to sample the Schedule 1 substance of my dreams—I appreciated the easy esoteric vibes of stoner culture even during the sober, random drug-test era of my life. 

Twenty-nine was when I began grad school for my (eventual) Masters in Creative Writing. I spent four years learning from the best living writers, building my literary craft, and reading more books than God.  

There is a gorgeous alchemy between the worlds of weed and writing. Cannabis is a portal into creative experimentation, play, and deeper connection to our bodies.

Weed and writing makes me think of the late great Maya Angelou.

Angelou was open about her creative influences in ways that were unheard of when she published I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings in 1969. As a writer and speaker, she courageously detailed her early childhood trauma, her sex worker past, and her appreciation for cannabis.

Writing requires a loving fearlessness, a tenacious dedication to transmitting one’s truth. When approached with intention, weed can expand your writing life on and off the page and bring you closer to honest expression.

If you are looking to expand your creativity and utilize cannabis for art making, here are some tips to create your own self-styled cannabis writing retreat.

Rest. 

People like to skip this part, but if you are alive right now and reading this you just lived through a pandemic. If you are the artistic/creative type, there is high chance that you are sensitive/introspective and that your system needs reprieve. Retreat means to go back, to withdraw from the world. Before you start your solo writing retreat, check in with yourself. Would you benefit from a nap? Moving slower? Set aside some hours or even days before your retreat to actively rest. CBD, THC’s sober cousin is a great place to start with rest. There are so many ways to enjoy this non-intoxicating portion cannabis sativa plant. I particularly enjoy smoking (makes me feel all old school romantic), gummies, and tinctures. Writing is hard work and if you’re not resting hard, you are basically courting the universe for burnout. 

Soothe. 

Now that you’re all rested and rejuvenated, it’s time to bring some comfort to your writing practice.. Our nervous systems are resilient and amazing, but they need love too. How you can you soothe your system into writing? I love getting away from it all if I can. Staycations in hotel rooms are great for solo writing retreats. Maya Angelou was an avowed hotel room writer. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings was drafted in hotel rooms on a yellow legal pads. Note their smoking policy though, I don’t want you to get arrested. And how about a THC bath soaks or massage oil rub while you’re at it? Yoga, meditation, exercise—do what makes you feel good.

Care. 

This is time to play doting mother to your writing self. Do you have all your craft books, pens, and that one vetiver candle? Have you told people you’re disappearing to write for some hours or days? If you’re creating your writing retreat at home, have you organized your writing area and blocked off a good amount of time? And finally, what amount/strain/type of weed works for your writing retreat? What cannabis will result in committed innovative expansion? What cannabis will have you knocked out for half a day or analyzing obscure zamrock lyrics for hours? If concreate writing goals are your thing, make them SMART, you know—specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based, etc. And if you’re retreating in LA check out 64 and Hope, they have two locations for all your cannabis needs, questions, and supply.

Please.

Time to get high! Whether you’re smoking, enjoying an edible treat, or using tinctures—enjoy yourself. Are you in clothes that feel good? Is there a lo-fi playlist on or are you basking in a delightful cloak of silence? Writing is also a pleasure. You are channeling thoughts and visions from some unseen otherworld onto a tangible page. Pretty cool. For my monthly Women, Writing, Weed & Wine class we have a signature cocktail I have dubbed the Proseko 39. It’s half prosecco, half Guinness Stout, and topped with a cannabis tincture. Raise a toast to your writing goals.

Write.

It’s time to get that pen moving. If you are looking for cannabis-friendly writing prompts, I recommend Pilgrim Soul’s Creative Thinking Journal. Let the words be messy. Best of luck, writer. Give yourself breaks to rest, soothe, or care as needed and best of luck creating your work of art. 

Love,

Hannah

Agonizing over that messy first draft currently collecting dusty shame in Microsoft Word? Procrastinating on starting your memoir or novel? I’m an editor and book coach who’ll help you start or finish your book (for real this time). I am also the hostess of Women, Writing, Weed & Wine, a monthly writing class/literary party. Our next event will be May 7th, 2022. Sign up for my weeklyish Moonletter, it’s how to stay connected to my slice of of mystical, sensual, intellectual heaven.