Welcome to Senior Cannabis Digest. This week we look at a farmers market for cannabis, a company that specializes in making infused products, tips on “decarbing” cannabis to create your own edibles at home and more. Enjoy.
The Shape of Things to Come
Imagine going to a farmers market where instead of zucchini, Brussels sprouts and heirloom tomatoes, the stars of the show were several exotic strains of cannabis and the farmers who grew them.
While that may sound like a fantasy, according to Kyle Jaeger, reporting for Marijuana Moment, such a market is soon to be a reality in New York State. New York marijuana regulators say that they are getting ready to launch a pilot program that would create cannabis farmers markets, which could potentially start “within a month.”
According to Jaeger, the plan is for the “showcases,” as the state calls the markets, to have “a minimum of three growers” and at least one licensed retailer responsible for hosting farmers market-style events in municipalities that authorize them.
At least initially, on-site consumption would be prohibited because permitting people to use marijuana at the markets would require additional permitting from the state Department of Public Health. Also, organizers will have to ensure that alcohol isn’t also sold at the events.
Said John Kagia, Policy Director of New York State’s Office of Cannabis Management, “We think this is really important because it does two things. One, it allows the growers to get in front of the consumers who are going to be buying legal regulated product in New York, and allows you {farmers} to tell your stories.”
“Two, it allows you to sell product much more quickly across the state, so the idea would be that the retailers are going to be confined to the regions where they’re authorized to operate, but the growers would be able to do this anywhere in the state.”
Similar programs are already underway in several states, including Washington, California and Massachusetts.
To learn more, we encourage you to read the article by Kyle Jaeger that appeared in the May 26, 2023 issue of Marijuana Moment.net. As always, his reporting is clear, concise and on point.
Cannabis Quote of the Week
“I’m a second generation Chinese American, meaning that like, there’s no way my mom would ever smoke weed with me. That was just a given, right? But she understood the benefits of cannabis. And all of its anti-inflammatory effects through the lens of ‘This is medicine.’ And so, medicine typically is consumed with edibles. And it’s also truly the healthiest way to consume cannabis, through an edible.”—Felicity Chen
Ms. Chen is co-founder and CEO of Potli, a company that is focused on the cannabis culinary experience. Her quote is taken from an interview she did with Ashley Kern for the publication High Times.
Described as the “premium purveyor for the modern, cannabinoid enhanced kitchen pantry,” the company’s mission is to source the best possible raw materials and infuse them with the highest quality cannabis to create a truly healthy and versatile product.
According to Kern, the company began by selling infused raw honey, followed by other unique cooking ingredients such as a cannabis-infused extra virgin olive oil and cannabis-infused sriracha. Kern also noted that more recently, the brand has started to produce ready-to-eat products, beginning with its cannabis-infused shrimp chips—made with Potli’s infused olive oil—which won first place in the Edibles/Savory category at the Emerald Cup in 2022.
Several of Potli’s other products are also “award winning.” Its “Dream Honey” won first place in the CBD category at the 2021 Emerald Cup and its cannabis-infused sriracha won first place at the 2022 Emerald Cup in the Edibles/Savory category. The Emerald Cup is considered by some to be the Oscars of the cannabis industry.
In the interview Chen recounts how the company was founded as a way to help treat her mother’s asthma and allergies. Chen explained that her mom’s daily routine usually starts with honey (from bees raised by her father) and lemon.
Said Chen,”Raw honey can be added to a variety of different dishes, such as tea, oats, or smoothies, and contains beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Add cannabis into the mix, and it becomes even more useful as part of a healthy regimen.”
Chen also told Kern that one of Potli’s main goals is to create and promote food as medicine, a philosophy that has led the company to create its best-selling infused honey products. Currently, the company sells different infused variations of infused raw honey, such as one that contains THC, CBD, and CBN, while another contains just CBD.
Said Chen, “We really think that through edibles and through things that you eat, health is just something that is based on what you eat. And, you know, that’s the age-old adage. And that’s really what the company’s main values are, is that we’re correcting people’s health and helping people feel better through the foods that they eat.”
To learn more, we urge you to read Ashley Kern’s interview with Felicity Chen. It appeared in the May 25, 2023 issue of High Times.com.
hightimes.com/edibles/pot-in-the-pantry/
Tips on Making Edibles
Most mature consumers who favor consuming cannabis through edibles, such as gummies or brownies, know that making them—whether commercially or at home—starts with a process called decarboxylation.
This step involves heating cannabis to activate the compounds within it, particularly THC and CBD. These are the cannabinoids that are associated with many of the psychoactive and therapeutic effects of the plant. Skipping this step is a waste of time, money and cannabis.
When performed at home, decarboxylation usually requires spreading cannabis on a baking sheet and baking it in an oven set at 220 to 245 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 40 minutes.
However, if you don’t have access to an oven, there is no reason to fret. In a recent article, the staff writers at the publication The Cannigma offered several alternatives.
For starters, it’s important to remember that “decarbing” can be time consuming and your immediate environment will be filled with the aroma of cannabis. That’s why it’s important to use a “decarb” method that fits your needs—both for time and for any concerns you may have about odors in your kitchen.
Whatever method you use, it’s also important to monitor the temperature carefully in order to prevent overheating—going above a temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit—which can result in a loss of potency.
Let’s begin with what not to do. Don’t use a microwave. While the microwave will get your cannabis hot enough to start the “decarb” process, it’s probably going to heat it unevenly. The folks at The Cannigma compare it to having a bowl of pasta with really hot cheese and very cold tomatoes. Not very appealing.
They report that one unconventional approach that is said to activate the essential cannabinoids in your batch of cannabis while limiting the tell-tale smell involves using a crockpot.
• Start by placing broken up cannabis in a mason jar with the lid loosely tightened
• Next, place the jar in the crockpot filled with water. Experts say the water serves as a buffer to prevent overheating, which can degrade some cannabinoids instead of activating them.
• The third step is to set the crockpot on low heat and let it cook for about two hours, shaking/mixing the contents of the jar every 30 minutes. It’s best to use a potholder when shaking the mason jar because it will be hot. That’s all it takes.
According to the folks at The Cannigma, you can also “decarb” cannabis on a stove top. In this method, you’ll need a large pot and a thermometer.
• Fill the pot with water, place the cannabis in a water-tight container, such as a mason jar or turkey bag, that is also heat safe, and submerge it in the water.
• Set the stove to low heat and use the thermometer to monitor the temperature of the water, keeping it around 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Let the cannabis heat up in the bag for about two hours, stirring/shaking occasionally. That’s it.
To learn more about the intricacies of decarboxylation and other methods you can try at home, we suggest reading the article in the May 17, 2023 issue of The Cannigma. Simply click on the link that follows.
cannigma.com/how-to/how-to-decarboxylate-cannabis-without-an-oven/?
Cannabis Stats of the Week
This week’s magic number is 60 percent. According to the 2023 Consumer Survey from New Frontier Data, among consumers who used combustible cannabis products, 60 percent employed rolling papers/blunt wraps as their technology of choice. This was followed by dry pipes (42 percent) and water pipes (32 percent).
While this might seem like a set of insignificant factoids, according to Noah Tomares, Senior Research Analyst, New Frontier Data, understanding how consumers use cannabis and the technology they prefer—even if that technology consists of rolling papers—is information that is key to the long-term success of retailers and other businesses in the cannabis sector.
After all, it’s not just what you do, but how you do it, as well.
For example, Tomares noted in a recent article for the publication Cannabis Insights that consumers who use more than one form of cannabis report they primarily choose different forms of cannabis to engage in different activities (45 percent), create different moods (37 percent), or at different times of day (29 percent).
Said Tomares, “Brands and retailers aiming to identify a specific target consumer type and cater to their specialized needs must be keenly aware not only of the reasons why a consumer chooses a specific product or product form but how they plan to consume that product. Beyond the desired effect of a product, companies will have to consider the scenario in which their target consumers might be using it. Awareness of the synergies between product, method of consumption, and gear needed can help engender consumer loyalty and boost a brand’s profile in its market.”
To learn more, we urge you to read the insightful and revealing article by Noah Tomares that appeared in the May 30, 2023 issue of Cannabis Insights, a publication of New Frontier Data. The work done by the individuals at New Frontier Data is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how the cannabis sector functions.
newfrontierdata.com/cannabis-insights/what-are-you-holding/?
Medical Cannabis and Driving Under the Influence
There may soon be good news for medical cannabis patients in Pennsylvania. A bill proposed in the Pennsylvania House would protect medical cannabis patients from being charged with driving under the influence charges simply for testing positive for THC.
That’s the word from TG Branfalt writing for Ganjapreneur. According to Branfalt, the measure only covers Pennsylvania-registered medical cannabis patients and does not protect drivers who are impaired by cannabis whether they are medical cannabis patients or not.
Pennsylvania is a state with zero tolerance for testing positive for THC while driving. Branfalt noted that 33 states, including several with no legal access to cannabis, require proof of actual impairment before a driver can be charged with driving under the influence. That’s not the case in the state that’s home to the Liberty Bell and the cheese steak.
Two state Representatives who co-sponsored the bill—Reps Chris Rabb (D) and Aaron Kaufer (R)—said in a memo, “In 2016, the PA General Assembly voted to legalize medicinal use of cannabis. Sadly, the legislature failed to provide these patients the same privileges afforded to others who have legal prescriptions for a scheduled medication.”
Branfalt makes the point that similar legislation was introduced last year but did not move out of the House Transportation Committee.
More news as more news develops.
You can learn more by reading TG Branfalt’s article in the May 22, 2023 issue of Ganjapreneur.com.
Senior Cannabis Digest is compiled and edited by Joe Kohut and John Kohut. You can reach them at joe.kohut@gmail.com and at 347-528-8753.
