Deconstructing edible cannabis in social media: Self-expression, creativity, and culinary capital

Research on cannabis edibles has primarily concentrated on the physical and mental effects of their consumption. Yet, as laws governing both CBD and THC are relaxed across the U.S., foods containing cannabis are becoming more accessible to the public. Thus, the range of meanings associated with such foods and ingredients has likely evolved. However, little research has explored the cultural contexts of edible cannabis in American society. The purpose of this study was to deconstruct the meanings of culinary cannabis by highlighting its creativity and cultural capital. A review of 233 social media posts on the topic revealed an appreciation for cannabis’s cultural and emotional significance, its creative and esthetic value in food, and the practical challenges associated with working with it. Links to class, privilege, and culinary capital are discussed.