Understanding Cannabis Strains

CELEBRATE COOKING WITH OUR LEGAL CANNABIS

COOKING WITH CANNABIS by Dana

by Dana Cunningham, contributing writer

Yeah, it’s January, and the dispensaries will open soon! I know everyone is excited! So, for all of us who have our medical or caregiver cards, we are going to do something revolutionary, cook with our legal cannabis! All of a sudden, I can hear Bob Marley playing in the background and Snoop Dog saying, “Hell Yeah.” However, you don’t have to be a hippie or gangsta to use medical cannabis, everyone has the right to safe, alternative treatment of their ailments, and in Missouri, that’s a fact!

You know what? Even if you’re a first-time cannabis cook, there are ways to easily make your own tasty edibles. After all, some folks just prefer not to smoke their green. I have found that edibles infused with small amounts of THC and a higher dose of CBD are a great way to ease into the use of medical cannabis. Studies have shown that when you use CBD and THC together, the CBD will lessen the psychoactive effects of the THC. So, let’s talk about how to prepare cannabis for cooking.

Studies show us that the health benefits of the THC, other cannabinoids, and even terpenes found in the cannabis plant are just amazing. Some people are using it to shrink cancerous tumors, free their children of daily seizures, and to lessen the effects of PTSD, while others are using this medicine to treat their migraines, anxiety-panic disorder, and digestive issues. Many say that THC helps them eat when they feel too sick to eat, and it helps them sleep when they need to rest and heal. Is this a miracle herb or what? Everyone knows what cannabis can do to help people, so let’s get to cooking with it! We purchased our cannabis flower from the dispensary and want to add it to a meal or make some single-serving edibles for easy dosing. We need to “activate” the THC in the flower before cooking with it. Of course, you could just sprinkle some of the flower on a salad and call it a day, but unless you activate it, you are not going to receive 100% of the health benefits of the green, because until you decarboxylate the plant, the THC is in the form of THCA.

So, what is decarboxylation? People call it “decarb” for short. It is the process of heating the herb. That’s it! When you apply heat to your plant, it creates a chemical reaction that turns the THCA into the psychoactive, THC. That’s why the herb is traditionally smoked to get the THC into the bloodstream. For cooking, we are going to decarb the green plant before adding it as an ingredient in anything so that we can receive all the health benefits of it. Note: when decarbing, it is important to not let the weed get too hot because it starts to lose health properties at about 311 degrees Fahrenheit.

There are many different ways to decarb the herb. You can experiment with them and find the method that works best for you. Other methods can be found just by doing a simple Google search for “how to decarb weed.” I have even had the opportunity to use an infusion machine made by a Missouri company that will decarb the weed for you! But what to do if you don’t want to invest any money on special equipment? Well, with an oven and a sheet pan, you can decarb effectively at home on your own!

Here is the method: 1. Preheat your oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit and place the oven rack in the middle position to ensure an even heat distribution. 2. Place a sheet of lightly crumpled aluminum foil on a baking sheet (this keeps your weed from becoming overheated by the metal baking sheet). 3. Then, break up the flower (cannabis) into small pieces, similar to the size of a pea, and spread across your foil. Then place another sheet of foil on top of the cannabis. 4. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. 5. After 45 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let it cool for 30 minutes at room temperature. The cannabis should look lightly toasted and golden brown. 6. When your cannabis has cooled, you can place it in an airtight container for future use!

Now we have activated the THC in our medical cannabis and are ready to have fun cooking with it! In future issues, we will explore baking with “decarbed” cannabis and fun recipes!

Have an awesome January and Bon CBD Appétit!!

Dana Cunningham is a Kansas City native with 15-years professional catering experience. She is the owner – operator of Infused KC Kitchen, a new catering concept that infuses world-class menus with CBD. For a custom menu when planning your party or business event extra extraordinary, contact Dana at dana@infusedkc.com or, visit online at www.infusedkc.com.

Note: The information contained herein is not intended to replace a one-toone relationship with a doctor or qualified healthcare professional. Therefore, this information is not intended as medical advice, but rather a sharing of knowledge and information based on research and experience. All content is for general information purposes only.

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Don’t Miss This Class!

February 11

Cannabis Cultivation Class for Medical Missouri Patients Grow Class and Doctor Seminar for Valentine’s Couples (singles welcome)

Learn about starting your own home cultivation and get firsthand knowledge about what you need to know before going for your Medical Evaluation.

Doctor Seminar ►

Dr. Poppa will offer his knowledge about everything you need to know about getting your Missouri patient Medical Marijuana ID Card. What paperwork to bring to your evaluation office visit and what to expect during your visit, plus much more. Dr. Poppa writes columns for this magazine about the different cannabis strains educating readers about the benefits of each.

Grow Class for Beginners ►

Plants need appropriate light to grow! Home growers will learn about the lighting necessary for plants — the most important aspect of any grow. Learn more tips from expert growers whose knowledge will help get you on the fast-track to the best grow.

All Attendees will Get 15% Off Home-Grow Supplies.

Cannabis Cultivation Class for Medical Missouri Patients Details:

● Class Date — February11 at 6 p.m. (plan for about three hours of class time.) ● Reservation fee — $100 per couple or $65 for individuals. ● Class fee includes drinks, food and other goodies. ● Must RSVP by 2/7/20 at www.RiverMarketHydro.com, (or RSVP, pay, and reserve your spot at our second location, 12 E. Missouri Ave, Kansas City, MO 64106). ● Space is limited — RSVP to reserve your spots today! ● Class Location — River Market Hydro, Independence location at 17501 E US Hwy 40 Suite 218,

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Legal Missouri Medical Marijuana Patients

Still Being Arrested

by Dan Viets, Missouri NORML

KNOW THE LAW

Attorney Dan Viets is the Board Chair for

The Missouri Cannabis Industry Association (MCIA). MCIA is dedicated to educating

Missourians on the multitude of opportunities provided by the cannabis industry in fields including healthcare, agriculture, and small business. www.mocia.org. Dan Viets, 573-819-2669 or DanViets@gmail.com. D espite the passage of Article XIV by 66% of Missouri voters more than a year ago, many patients are still being subjected to harassment, confiscation of their medicine and, in some cases, arrest and prosecution for activities which are clearly protected under the Missouri Constitution.

Many Missouri law enforcement officers are under the mistaken impression that no medical marijuana can be legally possessed until retail dispensaries open next year. This is simply not true.

Over 22,269 Missourians have been certified as legal medical marijuana patients (as of 12/2/2019). Approximately 7,000 of them have also obtained a license to cultivate cannabis legally and have been doing so since as early as June 28.

In addition, Article XIV does not require that cannabis be purchased from a dispensary or cultivated by the patient or the patient’s caregiver. Patients with valid Missouri Medical Marijuana ID Cards may possess and obtain cannabis, whether from illegal distributors, or not, are still protected under Article XIV. To be clear; for patients with valid Missouri Medical Marijuana ID Cards it is not a crime to cultivate cannabis (with proper state license) or purchase cannabis, even from an illicit dealer.

It would normally be a crime to possess such cannabis, but Article XIV provides protection for these patients who possess cannabis in amounts set out in the Missouri law. Therefore, even though cannabis may be purchased from an illegal source, it is not a crime for the patient who possesses it.

Dan Viets, President of New Approach Missouri, Article XIV campaign committee and Missouri NORML Coordinator, who has represented defendants in Missouri courts for over 33 years on marijuana charges, stated that, “It is going to take time for law enforcement officers to be educated about what Article XIV actually says. The law is long and complex. We are doing our best to assist the Missouri Attorney General and prosecutors in our state to educate law enforcement officers about the rights of patients under Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution.”

Know your rights. Patients with valid Missouri Medical ID Cards may possess and obtain cannabis, under Article XIV. Make sure that you always carry your Missouri Medical Marijuana ID Card!

Dan Viets is the Board President of Missouri NORML a Missouri Affiliate of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Affiliates include, Greater St. Louis NORML, Mid-Missouri NORML, MU NORML, NORML KC, Springfield NORML, St. Charles NORML, SEMO NORML. www.newapproachmissouri.com.

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