If living a pleasurable life is more art than science, then so is living a successful weed life. I got into cannabis because of the way it made me feel. I fell in love with ganja because it let me see newly vivid colors and enjoy delicious food like never before. I heard music in an entirely new way after smoking a joint. My dating life drastically improved thanks to sharing cannabis. My weed origin story is about experiencing the joy of cannabis and how that allowed me to begin walking down a more pleasurable path in life.

Your Dope Tutor learned in those early years that cannabis-based pleasure transcends the baseline human experience. It elevates it. Some even say you can “kiss the sky” when you feel high enough. Plenty of science is at work as cannabis pulses through the body—receptors are activated in the brain and different chemical reactions ensue, including euphoria or a sense of calmness. The list of pleasurable sensations is long; many are not fully understood by science. That’s where the art comes in.

Pairing weed with other experiences can provide a true lift in the good-living department, and sharing that pairing with people you care about takes it to another level. Whether it be passing the vape pen before retreating to bed with a lover or smoking a joint out in nature with a buddy, combining weed with your favorite people and pursuits can help you master the craft of enhancing enjoyment. To me, being high is about not only getting stoned, but also attaining a state of mind that facilitates gratitude and appreciation for life and all the people we share it with.

Part of the mindful art of living your best weed life, as I see it, is adhering to certain unshakable principles. First, always consume the highest-quality cannabis you can. Buy the best; worry about money later. (Friends may be more likely to lend you some scratch after getting stoned tasting your chronic than smoking your schwag.)

Second, share your stash with those you love as often as you can. (Reserve some for yourself, naturally.) The curse of Mama Ganja is that we all run out of weed at some point. But if you’ve been generous with your goods, the moment your stash is dry, the sharing principle is activated, and your friends will come to the rescue. (Upon getting stoned, you’ll remark on how karma is a very real thing that scientists should study, and everyone will nod in agreement.)

The last principle of a well-lived weed life: Never let people you care about suffer through marijuana deficiency syndrome, or MDS. It’s a term my brother and I use to describe an unfortunate state of mind that usually involves tension and irritability and always involves the need to consume some weed. This last principle is really just a reiteration of the second, which is a variation on the first. Mama Ganja is full of complexities and resists conformity—just like this Dope Tutor.

Cannabis will bring pleasure to those who seek it. In part because of this, it makes for an unforgettable gift. It never disappoints, assuming you have adhered to the above principles.

People authentically appreciate the gift of weed. I find that each time I smoke some gifted ganja, I reflect upon the person who gave it to me and smile. Accessories like bongs, pipes and hemp blunt wraps are always appreciated. There are all kinds of CBD products, including some interesting adult-pleasure items. Books about weed are plentiful, including cookbooks. And hemp-based clothing, shoes, edibles and other products now boast higher quality and lower prices. The wild world of weed continues to evolve, and gifts are no exception.

So this holiday season, make a good decision and roll up a present of pleasure, along with the art of a (weed) life well lived.