Labor Day—the unofficial end of summer. Many of us will take this opportunity to make the most of the last day off before it’s back to school, back to work and the monotony of fall sets in. (Can you tell I hate that summer has to end?)
You may have some epic Labor Day plans, like a barbecue with tons of friends. Maybe your day will involve some time on the lake, at a river or a beach soaking up the last of the summer rays. Or maybe you’re planning on just chilling out at home, having a quiet, free day before it’s back to the grind.
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But whatever your Labor Day plans, you may want to think about including cannabis in the mix. Depending on the type and consumption method, the right marijuana can:
- Uplift mood
- Help you feel less anxious (if crowds aren’t your thing or you’re nervous about hanging with people you don’t know well)
- Ease pain
- Stimulate your appetite
RELATED: FINDING SUCCESS WITH CANNABIS TO REDUCE ANXIETY
Another thing that guarantees a great gathering is music. The right music sets the tone and helps people let down their hair to enjoy the day. The best course of action is to come up with a playlist before Labor Day, so you aren’t playing DJ when you should be mingling with friends. So, here are some HelloMD staff picks for songs to put on your cannabis-friendly Labor Day playlist.
Make Your Cannabis-Friendly Playlist as Random as You Like
I love making playlists (and mixtapes in my younger years) and have ones for different places, activities and moods. I like to put my playlists on random, so I never know what song’s going to come on next.
If you need some help getting your cannabis-friendly Labor Day playlist started, here are five of my suggestions:
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“Jimmy Mack” by Martha and the Vandellas: You can’t really go wrong with Motown. And if you’re feeling great after consuming some uplifting cannabis, “Jimmy Mack” by Martha and the Vandellas, with its upbeat handclap rhythm and fun vocals, is a definite crowd pleaser for your guests of all ages. And it can fit in at any kind of gathering, whether you’re hosting a dance party or just lounging at home.
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“Poison” by Bel Biv DeVoe: If you’re up for a bit of ‘90s nostalgia, “Poison” by Bel Biv DeVoe is a classic mix of an R&B hook and harmonizing vocals over hip hop beats. If you’ve got some guests at your Labor Day festivity who are a little shy, offer them a microdose of cannabis to relax them and then play this song. They’ll be dancing with everyone in seconds.
RELATED: 3 POPULAR QUESTIONS ABOUT MARIJUANA & MICRODOSING ANSWERED
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“Turn the Light” by Karen O & Danger Mouse: If you’re having a mellow Labor Day, or are winding down your festivities,“Turn the Light” by Yeah Yeah Yeah’s frontwoman Karen O. and musician/producer extraordinaire Danger Mouse will give you cool lounge vibes with a sensual feel. Sip on a cannabis mocktail, put on this song and savor the end of fun summer nights.
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** “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen:** I mean, it doesn’t hurt to be a little high when listening to this unlikely (and I think we can all agree wacky) masterpiece. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen is also a crowd favorite and it’s fun to watch people of all ages sing along to the opera parts and rock out during the guitar solo. This is definitely the track to put on after consuming some marijuana to get the party started.
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** “Africa” by Toto:** A mellow ‘80s vibe with a great hook, “Africa” by Toto is a pretty versatile track—ideal for road trips if you’re traveling on Labor Day, or when everyone sits down to eat at your barbecue or party. With soaring instrumentals and a bit of ‘80s cheese, everyone will love singing along to this classic tune—especially after consuming some cannabis.
3 Songs to Take You Through All Phases of Your Labor Day
Sonya T. social media manager: “My song picks for a cannabis Labor Day are:
- "Show Me Love" by Robin S.
- "Electric Relaxation" by A Tribe Called Quest
- "Elevators (Me & You)" by Outkast
I’m picturing these three songs taking me through the day. "Show Me Love" starts off with high-energy house music when you’re at a party and everyone’s dancing. And then "Electric Relaxation" is perfect for the middle of the day. You’re still partying but chilling at the same time. And then Outkast’s "Elevators" is like that late-night ride back home when you’re, let’s say, elevated. You’re just chilling at the end of the day and you’re like, ‘I had a great day.’”
“Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush
Danielle L., senior health & wellness writer: “For my Labor Day playlist suggestion, I’m going to go with "Running Up That Hill" by Kate Bush. I feel like it’s the song that my partner and I always put on when we’re going on a road trip because it’s one of the few artists that we both really like. Whenever I’m in the car driving somewhere with my friends I just put on Kate Bush because we all agree on her all the time. So, I guess this would be my pick if you’re driving somewhere for Labor Day.
“To me ‘Running Up That Hill’ is this really sad but great song and I like listening to it after I’ve taken cannabis. After you consume and listen to this song, you can hear different sounds that you didn’t before.
“I’d also encourage people to check out the music video for this song. It’s super dreamy and the colors are great. It’s really ‘80s and very purple and she’s performing modern dance with a man. It’s mesmerizing.”
“Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
Veronica B., customer service specialist: “My song for a cannabis-friendly Labor Day playlist would probably be "Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. I like that song just because it really describes a nice, mellow, easygoing day.
"Everything’s chill; it’s a nice day out; everyone’s hanging out, and there’s no drama. It just seems like the kind of mood that you want to channel right before the summer ends. I definitely like that it’s a positive song—it’s not really aggressive, which I really like.”
3 Songs for a Labor Day Dance Party
Ryan G., customer service manager: “It’s difficult for me to just pick one song so, I would pick three:
- "Summertime in the LBC" by The Dove Shack
- "Time of Your Life" by Kid Ink
- "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire
“I grew up in California, so ‘Summertime in the LBC’ always just takes me back anytime I hear that song. It reminds me of summer as far as a really relaxing day with family and friends at a barbecue. It’s just something that you can nod your head to.”
“‘Time of Your Life’ I feel is definitely a late-in-the-night song where you’re just having a bunch of fun, hanging out with friends and family, eating, laughing and having a good time.
“And ‘September’ by Earth, Wind & Fire actually makes me think a lot about family. Anytime we had a gathering where there was dancing, that was always a song my family would use to kick it off and everybody would get up and dance to it. It’s definitely a good track if you’re having a barbecue or party on Labor Day.”
Photo credit: Ivanko80/Shutterstock.com
If you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our Cannabis 101 index of articles. And if you have questions about cannabis, ask them and our community will answer.
