Why Gen Z Is Choosing Microdosing Over Getting Baked

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch

Once upon a time, getting high was a whole event. We're talking rolling deep with your crew, picking out the perfect snacks, queuing up stoner comedies, and preparing to be hilariously non-functional for the next four to six hours. That was the vibe for Millennials and Gen X. Getting baked was practically a rite of passage.

But fast-forward to 2025, and the vibe has shifted. Big time. Gen Z—the generation that’s rethinking everything from 9-to-5 jobs to drinking culture—is also redefining how they consume cannabis. Forget the days of mind-melting highs and forgetting where you left your phone (or your entire existence).

Today’s cannabis culture is about intentionality. It’s about wellness, balance, and staying present. Gen Z isn’t looking to escape reality—they want to enhance it. That’s why so many young consumers are choosing microdosing over getting fully baked.

Microdosing cannabis—taking very small, controlled amounts of THC—lets them tap into the benefits of weed (calm, creativity, social ease) without the side effects (paranoia, couch lock, losing track of what day it is). It’s a conscious, curated experience, perfectly aligned with Gen Z’s broader lifestyle choices: moderation, mental health awareness, and chasing that ever-elusive work-life vibe check.

In other words? Getting a little high. Just enough. And never too much.

So, what’s the big deal with microdosing?

It’s the Goldilocks Zone

Not too much. Not too little. Just the right amount to take the edge off, spark some creativity, or chill out without zoning out.

Control is Cool

Gen Z grew up watching older generations either demonize weed or overdo it. They want a middle ground—a way to stay social, productive, and aware while still enjoying cannabis.

Wellness Vibes Only

This generation is all about balance and mental health. Microdosing fits right in with yoga, adaptogens, therapy memes, and green smoothies. It’s less about numbing out and more about fine-tuning the day.

Goodbye Paranoia

Remember those too-strong edibles of the early 2010s? Gen Z does. Microdosing means saying no thanks to racing thoughts and awkward over-high moments.

Function over Faded

Photo by RDNE Stock project

For Gen Z, cannabis is less of a rebellion and more of a resource. Whether it’s a low-dose gummy before a networking event or a few gentle puffs before working on music, microdosing supports the day instead of derailing it.

In other words: Get high. Just don’t get lost.