Edibles – Kevin Baiko for Congress

Cooking with Cannabis: How to Make Your Own Edibles

Introduction

Creating your own cannabis edibles can be a rewarding endeavor. Not only does it provide control over ingredients and dosing, but it also introduces an enjoyable element of personalization in your cannabis consumption. This guide provides a foundational approach to cooking with cannabis, focusing on key techniques and recipes.

Decarboxylation: The First Step

The process of making your own edibles begins with decarboxylation. This crucial first step involves heating cannabis to a specific temperature to activate the THC, transforming it from its acidic form, THCA, into the psychoactive compound that delivers cannabis’s effects. Typically, this is done by baking ground cannabis on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 245°F for approximately 30-40 minutes.

Choosing the Right Strain

Not all cannabis strains are the same, and different strains can significantly affect the outcome of your edibles. Whether you prefer a lighter, more creative high or a strong, relaxing effect, the strain you choose will guide the impact of your homemade edibles. Experimenting with strains can be part of the fun, helping you customize your culinary cannabis creations.

Infusing Your Ingredients

Once your cannabis is decarboxylated, the next step is infusion. Common bases for infusion include butter and oil, which are versatile in cooking various dishes. Simmer your decarboxylated cannabis with butter or oil on low heat for 2-3 hours, ensuring not to boil to preserve the cannabinoids. Then, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth to remove the plant material, leaving you with infused butter or oil.

Getting the Dosage Right

Dosage is critical when making your own edibles. To determine the THC content in your infused butter or oil, consider the potency of the original material and the amount used. Starting with tested ingredients from reliable sources can help you estimate more accurately. Remember, when cooking, it’s easier to add than to subtract, so start with small quantities and adjust as needed.

Recipes to Start With

Beginning with simple recipes can help you get comfortable with the basics. Cannabis-infused brownies, cookies, and gummies are great starting points. Each offers flexibility in terms of dosage and ingredients, making them perfect for both novice and experienced cooks.

Table: Simple Recipes for Beginners

Recipe	Type	Complexity	Ideal for Learning
Brownies	Baked	Low	Yes
Cookies	Baked	Medium	Yes
Gummies	Candy	High	Advanced

Final Remarks

Making your own cannabis-infused edibles offers a custom, hands-on way to enjoy cannabis’s benefits. By following these steps and starting with straightforward recipes, you can gain confidence and possibly share your creations with others. If you’re interested in exploring other cannabis products or looking to buy edibles online in Canada, combining these purchases with homemade edibles can enrich your cannabis repertoire.…

4 Proven Benefits of Consuming Cannabis

Some medical research has revealed certain health benefits of consuming cannabis. THC is the primary psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, and it is found in high concentrations in the plant. As a result, herbs having high THC concentrations are also considered medicinal. For instance, patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are increasingly turning to THC for help.

The use of cannabis for medical purposes has been gaining ground lately and is now permitted in 29 states around the US. Unfortunately, because cannabis has been prohibited for so long, there is very little research on its health effects – but these days in some countries like Canada you can buy weed legally in online dispensaries. Here are some of its health benefits we could capture now.

Therapy for epilepsy

According to research published by the Lancet, CBD, the non-psychoactive component of cannabis, can help manage epileptic seizures in children and adolescents. That is also consistent with observations of patients who have used cannabis on their own to alleviate symptoms and experience fewer negative effects, as previously stated.

It can delay cancer growth and reduce chemotherapy side effects

Research from the University of San Francisco found that the CBD component in hemp can inhibit breast cancer progression. This is not the first time THC has been proven to slow down tumor growth, and a more recent study indicated that CBD and THC might be used in conjunction with radiation to inhibit the development of glioma, which is the most prevalent form of cancer in humans. On the other hand, these findings were conducted on mice and have not yet been confirmed in people.

Treatment with chemotherapy can cause gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Some research has found that cannabis use or other THC-based medicines help alleviate these symptoms.

Alzheimer, Parkinson, and MS treatment.

Neurodegenerative illnesses can be alleviated by cannabis, particularly cannabis consumption. THC has been shown to reduce the formation of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s victims’ brains, slowing the progression of the illness.

Additionally, a combination of CBD and THC can aid in the preservation of memory, and dronabinol, another cannabinoid, has been shown to lessen behavioral abnormalities in Alzheimer’s patients.

A Tel Aviv University researchers found that patients with multiple sclerosis who smoked cannabis had less muscular spasming and discomfort and that patients with Parkinson’s disease had less tremoring and pain when they smoked cannabis.

Treatment for PTSD and schizophrenia

The most prevalent cause for prescribing cannabis in the United States is a post-traumatic stress disorder. The research involving veterans shows it decreases fear and anxiety. As a side effect, cannabis helps some individuals sleep better at night by interfering with the sleep cycles in which their nightmares occur. Other research shows CBD reduces seizures in schizophrenic individuals.

Last Words

The medicinal benefit of consuming cannabis looks great and appealing. However, some of the discoveries are still under research. Cannabis, like any other narcotic, has its drawbacks. There is some evidence that cannabis impacts memory and concentration, but these effects are transient and go away after you stop using it.

Compared to other addictive substances such as cigarettes or cocaine, cannabis does not appear very addictive. Those who begin smoking in their teens are more likely to get addicted. Cognitive impairments and worse academic performance are most common among children and adolescents at this age, making it critical to regulating their usage.

…