Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have told six year old what weed is?

79 replies

Conoondroom · 04/11/2026 16:30

Hi,

Took six year old out for a walk (almost seven.) We got to an estate that always stinks of weed and she asked what the smell was. I told her it was weed, and that it’s a flower that people use as medicine for pain from a doctor or that other people use it because it makes them “feel silly, like wine”.

She has smelt it loads during summer. It’s becoming more and more common. I’ve lived in countries where weed is legal and smoked in the street in front of children, so perhaps I’m lax, but AIBU to have said what I said?

I don’t believe in hiding things from children and explain them at an age appropriate level. She knows what alcohol is and I don’t see how me telling her what weed is any different or worse than her knowing what alcohol is and seeing people getting absolutely trashed at Wetherspoons when we’ve walked past on weekend days during the summer. It’s also commonly vaped now (medicinal cannabis) legally, so I also don’t get the stigma as much anymore.

It’s not like I’ve purchased her a bong!

I am asking because my friend has told me I’m insane for telling a six year old what weed is.

She’s obviously smelt it several times but the estate we walk past stinks of it and obviously she’s noticing the smell.

OP posts:
Timeforachange26 · Yesterday 20:50

BitOutOfPractice · Yesterday 19:39

@Timeforachange26 you were the one debating the illegality of weed v cigarettes on a thread about what to say to a 6yo 🤷‍♀️

Err no I was replying to a post that was saying about the dangers of weed. Then listed a load of stuff that also applies to legal tobacco

OriginalUsername2 · Today 15:45

RikthePoet · Yesterday 19:48

Why?

Of course it's fine to bring up relevant subjects in child-appropriate ways with your children.

Safeguarding

Timeforachange26 · Today 16:05

OriginalUsername2 · Today 15:45

Safeguarding

If the OP had given a 6 year old weed to try it would be a safeguarding issue. Simply explaining what it is is most certainly

ItsStillWork · Today 16:17

I’m very honest with my kids, and I’ve been criticised for telling them too much information!

my kids know what weed is, but I explained it’s bad for you, it affects your brain, people very quickly become addicted to it and it can change your personality.

they know a close family member went to prison for drug dealing.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread