Fall Edibles
Now that fall is approaching, new edibles ideas are aplenty with the arrival of flavors like pumpkin, apple and fall spices. Read on for some treats to make for a fall hike, a long drive leaf peeping or an afternoon of apple picking.
Did you know? The terpene caryophyllene that is found in high amounts in cloves, as well as cannabis, is an anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective.
Pumpkin Streusel Bread
Bread:
3½ cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ginger
½ tsp. ground cloves
½ cup vegetable oil (slightly warmed)
Cannabis concentrate (coconut oil, hash oil, kief)
½ cup applesauce
1½ cups sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
4 eggs
1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
⅔ cup water
Streusel:
½ cup brown sugar ½ cup flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
½ cup walnuts (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 275°F. Spray 3 7x3in. loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. 2. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves; set aside. 3. In a large bowl, combine oil and cannabis concentrate. Add applesauce. 4. Stir in sugars until combined; add eggs one at a time. 5. Stir in pumpkin until combined. Add water. 6. Sprinkle half of your flour mixture over the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. 7. Add the remaining flour mixture, and mix until just combined. 8. Pour batter evenly between the prepared pans and set aside. 9. In a bowl, whisk the sugar, flour and cinnamon until combined. Stir in the nuts. 10. Drizzle melted butter over the mix and stir with a spoon until your mixture is combined but still lumpy. 11. Sprinkle streusel over the top of each pan and cover completely. 12. Bake 35-40 minutes or until tester comes out clean.
Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Cinnamon Ginger Glaze
Ingredients:
1 medium butternut squash
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1-1/2 cups fresh cranberries
Salt and pepper to taste
Glaze:
¼ honey
½ tsp ginger powder
½ tsp cinnamon powder
2 Tbs butter, melted
Cannabis concentrate (coconut oil, hash oil, kief) 1. Peel and seed your squash, and cut into 1 ½ in. cubes 2. In a large bowl, toss squash with olive oil, honey, curry and cranberries until evenly coated. Spread in a single layer on a greased baking sheet. 3. Roast butternut squash at 400°F 15-20 minutes or until squash is tender and cranberries have softened and burst. Remove from oven and season with salt and pepper to taste. 4. Combine cannabis concentrate with melted butter until incorporated. Add honey, ginger and cinnamon and simmer on stovetop for 10 minutes. 5. Drizzle on cooked squash and serve!
Hot Buttered Cider
Ingredients:
½ cup unsalted cannabutter
¼ cup light brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
½ tsp allspice
8 cups apple cider (plain, not spiced)
1. In a mixer, beat butter and sugar until combined. Add spices and mix. 2. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for 48 hours to allow the flavors to develop. 3. Heat cider, and divide between 8 cups. 4. Add 1 tablespoon spiced cannabutter to each cup, stir and enjoy.
CannaScore: Where Do the Candidates Stand on Cannabis? Motif’s team took to the emails, the phones and even tracked down those candidates and office holders we could find in person to try to find out where they stand on the issue of legalizing cannabis so we could share that with you. Three things surprised us:
1.There was a lot more agreement than we expected that cannabis should be legalized. Although there are certainly some who disagree, the primary contention causing slow action seems to revolve around how to execute that legalization. Of course, it could also be true that the nay-sayers are not answering surveys like this.
2. It was extremely labor-intensive, involving a team of 10 callers from four different organizations working over a span of several weeks (not full time, naturally, but still a LOT of person-hours) to get the responses we got. Why were so many unwilling or unable to respond? It seems unlikely they were on summer vacation for several weeks. We got two interesting off-the-record responses to this specific question. One senator told us, “We get one or two surveys a day at this time of year. The overload just makes it hard to pay attention.” A rep told us (on condition of anonymity), “It just doesn’t really make any difference. The people we represent don’t pay that kind of attention to where their reps stand on specific issues – it’s not how we get elected, so we don’t really pay attention to communicating with the public about where we stand on most issues.” Motif will explore this issue further in our upcoming politics issue.
3. Those who did respond almost all used our free-response section of the survey to elaborate on their answers, so those who did engage mostly did so with intelligence and gusto!
Whether you should vote based on a single issue is another question to consider. Usually, the answer is no – but we know from reader surveys that there are some who would be single issue voters around this topic, and since Motif, which generally tries to avoid taking political stances (except for anti- corruption), has shown a definitive preference for cannabis legalization, we thought some readers would find these results interesting.
If you are opposed to legalization, you can simply reverse the grades – an A would become an F, a B becomes a D, C stays the same, and so forth.
Here are the legislators who responded, plus a few who answered a similar inquiry made by the ProJo a few months ago. Legislators who responded to the ProJo but not this survey are listed with asterices. That full story can be found at… Legislators who didn’t respond yet have a standing invite to do so – results will be posted online through election day.
For full details on points and how grading was done mathematically, visit Motifri.com, where there will be links to a full website coming soon.
Questions Asked:
1. Do you support regulating and taxing marijuana similarly to alcohol? How soon?
2. Do you support allowing towns and municipalities to authorize social marijuana use at certain marijuana retail outlets (cannabis cafes), provided that they are limited to adults who are 21 or older?
3. Do you support allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes if authorized by a patient’s doctor?
4. If marijuana is regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol, would you favor allowing edible marijuana products to be sold in retail outlets if they are packaged and labeled appropriately?
5. Do you favor expanding the number of licensed medical marijuana compassion centers in Rhode Island?
6. Do you favor the idea of prohibiting employers from testing job applicants for marijuana as a condition for employment, unless the drug tests are required under federal law?
7. Do you favor the idea of allowing individuals who are 21 or older to cultivate a limited number marijuana plants in their home?
8. Do you support the Rhode Island marijuana decriminalization law, which replaced criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana with a civil fine similar to a traffic ticket?
Information Collected:
Name, Office, Incumbent or Candidate, and which district? Party and Grade
Joe Almeida Representative Incumbent 12 Democrat A+ Antonio F. Avila Representative Not Incumbent 69 Republican A+
Joseph Cardillo Representative Not Incumbent 40 Democrat A+
Nicholas Delmenico Representative Not Incumbent 27 Democrat A+
William Deware Representative Not Incumbent 54 Democrat A+
Matthew James Fecteau Senator Not Incumbent 8 Democrat A+
Michael Gazdacko Representative Not Incumbent 9 Democrat A+ Jonathan Hernandez Senator Not Incumbent 6 Democrat A+
Stacia Huyler Representative Not Incumbent 24 Republican A+ John Lombardi Representative Incumbent 8 Democrat A+
Andrew E. Maguire Representative Not Incumbent 59 Independent A+
Joshua Miller Senator Incumbent 28 Democrat A+
Lisa Scorpio Representative Not Incumbent 13 Democrat A+
Jennifer Siciliano Representative Not Incumbent 22 Democrat A+
Scott Slater Representative Incumbent 10 Democrat A+
Joseph J. Solomon Jr. Representative Incumbent 22 Democrat A+
Moira Walsh Representative Not Incumbent 3 Democrat A+
Edith Ajello Representative Incumbent 1 Democrat A+* (didn’t answer survey but was primary sponsor of prior legalization)
Brent Barrows Senator Not Incumbent 22 Republican A
Ryan Hall Representative Not Incumbent 28 Democrat A
William Hunt Representative Not Incumbent 68 Libertarian A
David Norton Representative Not Incumbent 60 Democrat A
Thomas Palangio Representative Incumbent 3 Democrat A
Victor Regino Representative Not Incumbent 11 Independent A
Jonathan Vallecilla Representative Not Incumbent 58 Independent A
Luis A. Vargas Representative Not Incumbent 12 Independent A David Bennett Representative Incumbent 20 Democrat A*
Chris Blazejewski Representative Incumbent 2 Democrat A*
Brian Newberry Representative Incumbent 48 Republican A* (consistent co-sponsor and legislative supporter)
Dominick Ruggerio Senator Incumbent 4 Democrat A* (co-sponsor of legislation last year and spoke publically in support)
Bradley Collins Representative Not Incumbent 46 Independent A-
Dennis Lavallee Senator Not Incumbent 17 Democrat A-
Aaron Regunberg Representative Incumbent 4 Democrat A-
Gregg Amore Representative Incumbent 65 Democrat B+
Andrew C. Knutton Representative Not Incumbent 21 Independent B+
David Kruzona Representative Not Incumbent 21 Democrat B+
Vincent Marzullo Representative Not Incumbent 26 Independent B+
Lori Barden Representative Not Incumbent 59 Independent B
Lauren Carson Representative Incumbent 75 Democrat B
Frank Ciccone Senator Incumbent 7 Democrat B
Grace Diaz Representative Incumbent 11 Democrat B Ewa Dzwierzynski Representative Not Incumbent 34 Democrat B
Rob Goldman Representative Not Incumbent 11 Democrat B
Laura Perez Representative Not Incumbent 11 Democrat B
Mark Zaccaria Representative Not Incumbent 32 Republican B
Michael McCaffrey Senator Incumbent 29 Democrat B* (co-sponsor of legislation, but no public statements)
Cale Keable Representative Incumbent 47 Democrat B* (in ProJo survey, says he “leans” towards legalization)
Harold M. Metts Senator Incumbent 6 Democrat B- Adam Satchell Senator Incumbent 9 Democrat C+
Russell Hryzan Senator Not Incumbent 6 Independent D
Robert Jacquard Representative Incumbent 17 Democrat D* (voted for medical marijuana in 2006; did not vote either way for decrim)
James Sheehan Senator Incumbent 36 Democrat D* (voted for medical marijuana in 2006; did not vote either way for decrim)
Jim Seveney Senator Not Incumbent 11 Democrat D-
Robert Craven Sr. Representative Incumbent 32 Democrat F*
Mark Gee Senator Incumbent 35 Republican F*
Antonio Giarrusso Representative Incumbent 30 Republican F*
Elaine Morgan Senator Incumbent 34 Republican F*
Patricia Morgan Representative Incumbent 26 Republican F* (opposes legalization in ProJo survey; voted against decrim)
John Pagliarini Senator Incumbent 11 Republican F*
Cannabis Microdosing
Managing your cannabis consumption can be a daunting task, even for the most seasoned users. With a large number of variables at play every time you consume, it can be very hard to predict how it will make you feel, and you may be taking in far more cannabis than your body needs. From THC and CBD potency, to strain selection and terpene profile, to puff size and metabolism, the number of factors that affect your experience makes it hard to standardize, which keeps most healthcare professionals from being interested.
Microdosing is the practice of taking in much smaller quantities of cannabis than you may be used to. Many people consume cannabis until they feel the familiar psychoactive effects. With microdosing, the aim is to achieve medical benefits without feeling any side effects (whether or not you enjoy them). For some people this can mean taking just a single puff of a joint or on a vaporizer, or taking an edible that is 3 – 5mg THC. By consuming smaller amounts of cannabinoids more frequently, you activate and engage your endocannabinoid system without overloading it, which increases your tolerance and you experience diminishing benefits over time. The body has a threshold with how much it can metabolize in one sitting, and frequently users go above and beyond that limit. Microdosing is not a solution for all types of cannabis consumers, however it is definitely worth investigating for the sake of your wallet and your tolerance.
Start Low
Start out taking in the smallest amount you can — one puff on a joint or a quarter of the recommended dosage of an edible. Avoid concentrates like hash and rosin, as their high potency will make it impossible to ingest a small amount. Some self-restraint is necessary, as most people find the side effects to be enjoyable. The object isn’t to get high, but to maintain a healthy level of cannabis in the body.
Try Multiple Delivery Methods There are many ways to consume cannabis, and some are more easily titrated than others. Items like tinctures and edibles can be ingested in minute amounts, where you might find it harder to pack 1/16th of a bowl successfully.
Journal Documenting your experiences will be crucial to successful microdosing. Factors like your mood, appetite, hydration and amount of sleep can all change how cannabis affects you, not to mention the kind of product and how you consume it. Being able to predict trends will require a backlog of experiences.
Be Patient If you are a heavy user, adapting to microdosing can take time. At first it may not feel as if it is worth it, but over time the benefits will increase gradually and be more consistent and predictable, and you will find yourself spending less on excessive amounts of product.
Cannabis and Canines
The positive effect of CBD on humans has become more and more evident; however, there is another animal that could greatly benefit from it: your dog. All mammals have an endocannabinoid system and can utilize the benefits of phytocannabinoids such as THC and CBD, and the cannabis industry has recently starting marketing products targeted toward man’s best friend.
There are two main phytocannabinoids found in cannabis: THC and CBD. THC, the cannabinoid that provides the user with the classic euphoric feeling associated with cannabis, has relatively negative effects on dogs. It most commonly causes them to sleep heavily for a long period of time when ingested, but has been found to be toxic for canines in large quantities. CBD, or cannabidiol, is the non- psychoactive component found in cannabis that has been found to impact a vast assortment of conditions in humans, from anxiety and depression to cancer, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, migraines and more. There are conditions that many dogs have that can be eased with CBD as well. Most common are separation anxiety, cancer, hip dysplasia, inflammation, loss of appetite, seizures and pain. Most drugs prescribed for dogs with these symptoms come with an assortment of side effects, usually things like loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes more serious effects like increased heart rate and breathing, trembling and seizures, and decreased motor skills. Many people turn to cannabis as their medicine of choice to avoid side effects, and now are choosing the same for their pups as well.
CBD Dog Treats
Ingredients: 2/3 c pumpkin puree ¼ c peanut butter 2 eggs 3 cups whole wheat flour CBD tincture or capsules
Instructions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 275 degrees F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. 2. Combine your CBD tincture with the pumpkin puree (if using capsules, empty caps into puree and discard empty capsules) 3. Combine pumpkin, peanut butter and eggs and beat on medium in an electric mixer for 2 minutes until combined. 4. Add 2 ½ cups flour and incorporate. 5. Gradually add the remaining flour by the ¼ cup until the dough is no longer sticky. 6. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼ inch thickness. 7. Cut out treats with your favorite cookie cutter. 8. Place treats on prepared cookie sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are golden brown.
If you don’t want to make your treats at home, there are several companies making great looking products available online! These companies offer treats, capsules, chewables and tinctures for your pooch.
Canna Pet (www.canna-pet.com) Treatibles (www.treatibles.com) Pet Releaf (www.petreleaf.com)
Cannabis and Lyme Disease
If you are from the northeast, Lyme disease is a familiar threat. For those not well acquainted with it, Lyme is an infectious disease spread by ticks. Areas of highest risk for encountering ticks are grassy and wooded areas, and preventative measures are your best bet for avoiding Lyme. Wearing long pants and shirts, using insect repellent that contains DEET and showering immediately after exposure are all ways to reduce the risk of being bitten by a tick carrying Lyme.
The most telltale sign that you’ve been bitten is the bulls-eye rash that presents around the tick bite, however, approximately 25% of people infected with Lyme do not develop the rash. Early symptoms of Lyme include headache, fever, muscle soreness and weakness. Lyme left untreated or poorly treated can progress into a chronic condition, and much more serious symptoms include facial paralysis, abnormal heart rhythms, severe headaches, psychosis and anxiety, and swollen and stiff joints.
One major role that cannabis plays with Lyme disease is combating some of the negative effects of the antibiotics prescribed to treat the Lyme. Antibiotics wipe out both good and bad bacteria, and frequently leave the GI system open to fungal and bacterial infections. The GI tract is full of CB1 receptors, which, when activated by cannabis, can help to repair the damage from antibiotics and maintain good gut health.
Cannabis is also very helpful in alleviating some of the symptoms of Lyme disease. Headaches and body pain are two major symptoms from which medical cannabis users find relief. Physical pain in the joints and muscles can be eased with cannabis topicals, edibles and flower. The lethargic components of Lyme can also be combated with cannabis, as many patients find sativa strains to be somewhat stimulating, enhancing creativity and focus. Cannabis products that are high in CBD are especially beneficial to those with Lyme, as it has many anti-inflammatory properties that can decrease Lyme symptoms before they escalate. Cannabis has been found to be antipsychotic and anxiolytic, which can alleviate some of the mental health concerns of late stage Lyme.
New Cannabis Legislation
With Governor Raimondo’s budget signed and in effect as of July 1, the medical marijuana landscape in Rhode Island has changed in many different ways. Below are some highlights that affect the program’s current and future patients.
Compassion Centers
Under the new legislation, patients no longer have to register with a compassion center to visit them. All patients are able to go to all three compassion centers, as well as have a personal caregiver. Going forward, patients will be limited to only one personal caregiver (previously two), but all current patient- caregiver relationships are intact until the patient’s card expires. This is big news for many patients who have wanted to try products offered at the centers, but didn’t have the $25 to $50 cost for the paperwork to register.
New Applications
Starting January 1, 2017, patient and caregiver cards will only be valid for one year (previously two). There has been no official word on whether the renewal cost will be reduced as well.
Patients submitting new applications who are on hospice or receiving chemotherapy will receive an acceptance or denial to their application within five days (most patients currently wait six to eight weeks) beginning January 1, 2017. Growing
Patient and caregiver grows must now all be in one location (ie, you can’t have immature plants in one location and your mature plants somewhere else)
Caregivers and patients will no longer be able to sell to compassion centers beginning January 1, 2017.
Patients and caregivers also will be required to purchase plant tags for their immature and mature plants, at $25 per tag set. This is a drastic reduction from the governor’s original draft of the budget, which set the prices at $175 to $350 per set. Patients who qualify for reduced application fees from low income or disability will qualify to receive plant tags for free.
Extractions
Extracting with compressed, flammable solvents will no longer be protected under the medical marijuana umbrella. The legislation doesn’t specify solvents, but it definitely includes butane and possibly could include CO2 and ethyl alcohol.
New Licenses
Authorized purchaser licenses will allow an individual over the age of 21 to purchase on a patient’s behalf, much like caregivers do currently, but the license will not allow the individual to grow on behalf of the patient. Authorized purchasers must pass a national criminal records check, and are limited to one patient.
Cultivator licenses will allow an individual to grow specifically to sell to compassion centers. Details regarding plant count and applicant qualifications have not yet been specified by the Department of Business Regulation.
Revenue
Starting July 1, 2016, all fees collected will be placed in restricted receipt accounts to support only the medical marijuana program. This combined with the Department of Business Regulation sharing the work of managing the medical marijuana program with the Department of Health should create a more efficient and straightforward program.
Summer Edible Recipes
With summer approaching, plans of picnics, camping, boat rides and beach days are imminent. These summer recipes will take your edible game to the next level.
Corn, Avocado and Black Bean Salad Vegetables:
2 cups corn (fresh or thawed frozen) 30 cherry tomatoes, cut in half 1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained 2 avocados, diced 1 red onion, diced ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
Dressing:
2 T cannabis infused olive oil 1 lemon, juiced 1 tsp. cumin ½ tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper, ground
Prepare all the vegetables and add to a large serving bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients. Pour over veggies, let rest for 10 minutes. Serve with chips, on a salad or by itself!
Coconut Mango Slushie
1 cup canned coconut milk (full fat recommended) 3 cups diced mango 3 tablespoons honey 1 cup ice cannabis coconut oil
Melt your cannabis coconut oil and combine with coconut milk. Add all ingredients to blender, puree until smooth. Serve and enjoy!
Note: Mango contains high level of the terpene myrcene, which potentiates cannabis, increasing its effects and duration.
S’mores Bar
2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1 stick unsalted cannabutter 6 chocolate bars 10 oz bag mini marshmallows
Pre-heat oven to 275. Grease 8×8” pan (line with parchment paper for easier clean-up). Melt your cannabutter, cool slightly. Combine your cannabutter and graham cracker crumbs in a small bowl. Press your crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan using the back of a spoon or bottom of a cup. Break up and evenly disperse your chocolate on top of the crumb layer. Top with mini marshmallows. Bake in oven for 10-15 minutes or until chocolate is melted and marshmallows are slightly melted. Cool, slice and serve! Understanding CBD
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the main compounds found in cannabis. Its vast amount of medical benefits has been discovered in the last several years, making CBD a very trendy subject. The story of the strain Charlotte’s Web somewhat launched the CBD revolution, and as with any new topic, there are many misconceptions.
Hemp CBD vs. Cannabis CBD
The Cannabis sativa species can produce varieties grown for their resinous glands (the marijuana that most people are familiar with) or a taller fibrous plant that has many uses including textiles, biodegradable plastics and biofuel, referred to as industrial hemp. Many products are available online that are made with industrial hemp-derived CBD. Due to the minimal amount of THC present in the plant, it is legal to possess its bi-products in the US. While these products are a viable option for people in states without recreational or medical marijuana, there are some significant differences between the quality of hemp-derived CBD and cannabis-derived CBD.
Hemp CBD:
Grown and lab tested outside of the US, not subject to US standards and procedures Requires a large amount of plant to make a small amount of oil, increasing risk of contamination due to the toxins accumulated in the hemp (a bio accumulator) Minimal terpene content, a major constituent in the efficacy of cannabinoids Some products contain additives
Cannabis CBD :
Grown in states with recreational or medical marijuana laws, which include growing and testing standards for pathogens, insects, toxins and more Cannabinoids present in concentrated amounts in the plant, where a small amount of plant can produce a generous quantity of oil Whole plant extraction yields a complete terpene profile Extracted from CBD dominant strains like Charlotte’s Web, Cannatonic, ACDC
For more information, the research group Project CBD did an independent investigation into several hemp CBD companies and compiled their findings into a 30-page report, titled Hemp Oil Hustlers, on their website, projectcbd.org.
Is CBD Non-psychoactive?
It is often said about CBD that it is the “non-psychoactive” cannabinoid, as compared to THC. While it is true that the effects of CBD are not the same as THC, it is not entirely accurate to refer to it as non- psychoactive. CBD can have powerful anxiolytic, anti-depressant and anti-psychotic qualities, and it also modulates how THC effects the brain. When THC activates a cannabinoid receptor in the brain, it starts a chain of cellular events that lead to the euphoria or “high” that is associated with using cannabis. While CBD doesn’t create that same effect, when both THC and CBD are present, the CBD changes the THC interaction. It can decrease OR increase the effects of the THC. Think of THC as the light switch and CBD as the dimmer. CBD by itself will produce no euphoric effects, but it does have a host of medically beneficial effects.
Effects on the Body
There are many beneficial properties of CBD, and it has been found to help conditions such as anxiety, depression, MS, diabetes, psychosis, seizures, PTSD, schizophrenia, arthritis and inflammation. One recent finding has shown that CBD is powerful in helping bone cell growth, which is very promising for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. One common misunderstanding with CBD is that many people think that it is for sleep. CBD will not create the sedative effects that you might find with an indica cannabis strain; it promotes better sleep health by relieving symptoms commonly disrupting a healthy sleep cycle such as anxiety or chronic pain. Another misconception is that CBD is believed to be most beneficial entirely on its own — that CBD is the medical cannabinoid and that THC is the recreational cannabinoid. While THC also has many medicinal benefits of its own, CBD and THC actually work best in combination, most finding a 1:1 ratio to be the most therapeutic.
Cannabis Tincture
Tinctures have been used in herbal medicine dating back to the year 1000 AD, and are simply an herbal preparation extracted into some kind of solvent. Most frequently tinctures are made with high proof alcohol, however, there are other varieties that use vegetable glycerin, vinegar or propylene glycol. The latter options are less effective at extracting, but do offer an alternative for those who choose not to ingest alcohol.
Cannabis tinctures are also not recent; they first appeared in the United States Pharmacopeia in 1942, however, they had fallen out of fashion until very recently. There are several ways to make cannabis tincture, and they all have the same swift delivery of effects. Tinctures are used sublingually, and the user will absorb the cannabinoids through the mucosal membranes and feel the effects within 10-15 minutes. A typical dose for a tincture found on the market currently can range from 5mg THC to 20mg THC, and there are a large number of CBD and CBD/THC combination tinctures available as well. One of the best things about tincture is the ability to accurately titrate the dose you are looking for. Most commonly sold in a 1 or 2 ounce bottle with an eyedropper, the user takes just a few drops at a time by mouth, or up to multiple droppers to find the effect they desire. Due to the rapid onset of effects, the possibility of impatiently taking too much decreases significantly.
Making cannabis tincture at home is very easy. There are methods that take just a few hours, and some that can take months.
Alcohol Extraction
1 ounce decarboxylated material (kief, trim, flower) per pint of liquid Everclear or other high proof alcohol Large glass jar with good seal Cheesecloth Coffee filters (2)
Traditional Alcohol Extraction:
Combine your cannabis and alcohol in a large glass jar and shake well. Store the jar in a place where it will receive no light for 30 to 60 days, shaking thoroughly daily. The final product will be a very dark green. Strain first through the cheesecloth, and then through a coffee filter, preferably two times. This will remove as much plant matter and chlorophyll as possible. Be warned — this makes a very potent tincture, however it also has a very bitter taste that most people find unpleasant. Mixing with a beverage is recommended if you really don’t like the flavor!
Cold Alcohol Extraction:
Separately chill your cannabis and alcohol in your freezer for several hours. Combine in your glass jar and shake forcefully for 5 minutes. Return to the freezer, removing every couple hours to give it a good shake; repeat this for the next 2 to 3 days. Strain through your cheesecloth and then your coffee filters. Your product should be a light green to golden color. The darker the liquid is, the more plant matter is present, which affects the taste.
Glycerin Tincture
5 ounces decarboxylated material (kief, flower, trim) per 4 cups glycerin Food grade vegetable glycerin Crock pot Cheese cloth
Combine your cannabis (ground) and glycerin in the slow cooker, setting it on the lowest temperature available (“warm” on most). Heat your mixture anywhere from 4 to 24 hours, stirring occasionally. Glycerin is a less effective extracting agent than alcohol, so the more surface area on the cannabis that is exposed to the glycerin, the more potent your final product will be. When finished, strain the mixture through your cheesecloth and cool. Store in a glass container; refrigeration is recommended for large amounts.
Note: As an alternative to a slow cooker, you can use the Magical Butter Machine (retail $175) to make tinctures along with butters and oils. The Magical Butter Machine is a very easy product to use and controls time and temperature specifically for cannabis, so many people find it an easier option when making extractions and infusions.
Alcohol vs. Cannabis: Effects on the Human Body
The debate over whether alcohol or cannabis is safer to consume has been the topic of many discussions in the medical and political worlds. There is a large amount of evidence about the health benefits and deficits for both substances, and here I will compare the two.
The short-term effects of alcohol are plentiful: impaired motor coordination, altered decision-making, depressant effects, nausea and vomiting, and the possibility of alcohol poisoning resulting in death. Driving under the influence of alcohol can result in death of not only the driver but also their passengers and others. Long-term effects include alcoholism, cirrhosis of the liver, and increased risk of cancer in the liver, esophagus and mouth, pharynx and larynx. Alcohol is currently the most easily accessible drug in the United States, and the most socially acceptable. Recent studies have also shown that alcohol is the #1 gateway drug, a title that had been previously assigned to cannabis. The only recognized health benefit from alcohol is the presence of antioxidants in red wine, which when consumed in moderation is thought to decrease the risk of heart disease.
The short-term effects of cannabis can also be negative. Impaired motor coordination, increased heart rate, feelings of paranoia, drowsiness and memory loss are all possible side effects of cannabis consumption. Long-term health deficits have yet to be identified, but cannabis has been shown to affect the developing brain. However, cannabis is non-toxic and it is impossible to overdose. The associated health benefits of cannabis also far outweigh the negative effects. Decreased anxiety and depression, relief from nausea and vomiting, and pain relief are just a few of its many capabilities. Cannabis is also far less likely than alcohol to interact with other drugs. States that have legalized cannabis are undergoing the growing pains of keeping cannabis out of the hands of minors, particularly with products like edibles; however, despite how common cannabis is, it is still harder to access than alcohol.
One major difference in the relative safety of these two substances is their regulation. While alcohol is regulated at a national level, most cannabis on both the legal and black markets would be the equivalent of bathtub moonshine. Standards for cannabis production and even for the labs testing their products are still being determined, and this leaves a wide disparity in quality and potency of products. The effects of alcohol consumption may hold a higher risk, but you know that a Coors Light purchased in California will affect you the same way as one bought in Florida. The current illegal status of cannabis will prevent it from being a safe, regulated recreational alternative to alcohol.