For the Love of Weed

LoveFOR THE of weed

These days, candles aren’t the only things getting lit for couples who are willing to infuse a little cannabis into their romance this

Valentine’s Day. As the cannabis industry continues to grow rapidly, concurrently, its usage and influence on everyday life has expanded and evolved. As explained in a 2018 article by Cannabis Now, “As part of this wave of mainstream acceptance, more people are discovering that cannabis can be used as a tool for enhanced communication and sensuality within an intimate relationship.” With musical accompaniment to jumpstart your senses, this

Valentine’s Day you can enhance your celebration from the comfort of your home.

Who needs reservations when everything you need, including your partner is at home? Anything can happen behind closed doors whether you choose a multi-course catered dinner or try your hand at some homemade classics with a twist. While Valentine’s Day is often synonymous with red, couples looking to try something new are adding a dash of green. “Thanks to the growing social acceptance and legalization of cannabis, the number of adults trying it for the first time is skyrocketing. And an awful lot of us aren’t smoking it—we are eating and drinking it,” said Amanda M. Faison in the Food & Wine article, “The Food & Wine Guide to Culinary Cannabis”.

In Massachusetts, chefs Joseph Nelson and Patrick Mulcahy, known as The Mass Cannabis Chefs, coordinate and host “one of Massachusetts premier infused dinner parties.” Per their website, together, “Combining two of their favorite things, the Chefs bring to you a dining experience unlike any you’ve enjoyed before. Every month since Cannabis became recreationally legal in Massachusetts, they have put on high end gourmet dinner parties that have only grown as time

has gone by. Bringing years of experience in fine dining and food creation and mixing it with a passion for high end cannabis, they put out delectable meals that are sure to leave everyone

full and satisfied.” As of December 2021, their ticketed dinners are still paused due to the ongoing pandemic, but they are offering catered private events/dinner parties for groups of 10 or more; for more information and updates, visit www.masscannabischefs. com.

Alternatively, for the DIY crowd, homemade meals are a great way to go the extra mile (while showing off your culinary prowess) to impress and show your partner how much you love them. After determining you’d both like to explore greener pastures outside of vegetables and leafy greens, there are several cannabis-infused recipes at your disposal. Like with most things in life, when using cannabis in the kitchen, less is more. Explains Ashley Manta, in the Leafly article, “Cannabis-infused recipes for a romantic Valentine’s dinner”, “As always with edibles, start low and go slow! Microdosing can be as satisfying as going all out, so don’t feel like you have to infuse all three courses in order to make it special.” Incorporating cannabis into your recipes is as simple as using cannabutter, or cannabis-infused oils such as olive oil, coconut, and canola oil.

With your appetite sated, you can end the evening with a nice bubble bath and/or couple’s massage. CBD infused products reign supreme in the pampering department, with the likes of bath bombs, salts, and oils. From face masks to bath bombs, lotions, and massage oils these CBD infused products help relieve stress and melt away any and all tension. Per their website, Canna Provisions in Holyoke urges users to “practice self-care and treat yourself” with The Healing Rose CBD bath soaks. Alternatively, Theory Wellness’ “CBD Tinctures combine organic coconut oil with concentrat-

ed, full-spectrum CBD, providing a smooth, consistent, easy-to-dose experience”, producing a calm and relaxing effect for users.

If you plan to propose on Valentine’s Day, or for couples ready to say, “I do” and take the next step, not just with cannabis, but in life— the cannabis industry is going to the chapel. Described as a “boutique wedding expo” on their website, the Cannabis Wedding Expo is for couples who’d like to “Come shop and meet local cannabis brands and wedding service providers that can tastefully incorporate everything from discrete nods to cannabis to extravagant full service cannabis bars into your magical day!”

Whether you’re celebrating occasions big or small, be it Valentine’s Day or your wedding day, cannabis can be as velvety, versatile, and aromatic as a bouquet of red roses.

“Microdosing can be as satisfying as going all out, so don’t feel like you have to infuse all three courses in order to make it special.”

Sources: https://cannabisnow.com/make-cannabis-part-valentines-day/ https://www.foodandwine.com/news/ guide-culinary-cannabis https://www.masscannabischefs.com/ https://www.leafly.com/news/lifestyle/valentines-day-meal-marijuana-recipes https://www.cannabisweddingexpo.com/