The summer of 2019 was the golden season of cannabis in the kitchen. Also thanks to the sultry heat, cannabis was the main ingredient of the summer . We've heard all sorts of things: cannabis ice cream , cannabis ice lollies , cannabis granitas , cannabis beer and so on and so forth.
Cannabis to eat, the trend
If until recently the only thing people did with cannabis was smoke it, today the range of possibilities has truly expanded. Cannabis in the kitchen is truly highly appreciated, above all due to the completely different effect that the substance has once ingested. The “high” is much more intense and long-lasting than that of a joint containing the same amount of substance. Why?
Cannabis is assimilated through the gastrointestinal tract, and the passage from the liver transforms THC into 11-hydroxy-THC, a molecule different from THC in chemical structure, responsible for amplifying its original effects.
Since the effects arrive very late, when the body has absorbed all the active ingredient, the risk is to overdo it while waiting for the effect to be felt. Furthermore, the so-called edibles are very inviting, and this characteristic often makes it difficult to be patient while waiting for the effects to manifest themselves. In fact, before 45-90 minutes it's as if you haven't consumed anything, so it's always best to wait a bit to make sure you don't ruin your evening.
Ice creams, popsicles and granitas: the new frontier of cannabis
Despite the controversies and bans that hit light cannabis at the beginning of the summer of 2019 , the Doringel company from Brembate did not let itself be frightened and decided to launch a new cannabis-flavoured ice lolly on the market.
His name is Marijuolo , a clever play on words that winks at the raw material of the ice lolly, marijuana, and at the word mariuolo, which means cheat, crafty. The ice lolly is made with essential oil, infusions and extracts of sativa hemp seeds , is free of artificial colourings, does not contain gluten or GMOs and appears light green in colour.
The product has caused controversy, but - as Doringel underlines - "it scrupulously complies with all national and European directives on the matter". Nothing illegal, therefore, just a cannabis-flavoured product, devoid of any psychoactive effect.
It does not contain THC, not even in minimal doses, but retains all the beneficial properties of cannabidiol . As the company that produces it is keen to let you know: "the extraction of essential oils, following the steam distillation technique, allows us to preserve the beneficial qualities of cannabidiol, or CBD, one of the most abundant cannabinoids in hemp .
Not only free of any doping effect, but also equipped with numerous beneficial properties, CBD oil is effective against anxiety, daily stress and physical pain, helps sleep and relaxes the body".
Even Ben & Jerry's , a brand known for its ice creams with extravagant flavors, has announced that it is ready to add a CBD-infused ice cream to its catalog . However, the company cannot sell cannabis ice cream because it is illegal. Currently, in fact, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibits the use of CBD oil in foods or drinks.
The company is awaiting response from the government as it follows a public hearing on legalization. The FDA said it would use public comments to inform a federal working group to “explore potential avenues for dietary supplements and/or conventional foods containing CBD to be legitimately marketed.” Among other things, Ben & Jerry's tried to encourage FDA authorization by submitting its own comment in support of legalization and encouraging its consumers to do the same during the public consultation period on the topic.
We return to the Bel Paese to tell you about the revisitation of an entirely Italian product: the granita. At the Perlecò ice cream shop , already famous for its Fior di cannabis ice cream , cannabis granita is sold. The idea, to tell the truth, came from the customers themselves, who - after tasting the ice cream - started asking for more.
“To please them we started doing some tests and now that we have achieved an optimal result we are ready to offer the world the first cannabis granita” the owners of the ice cream shop enthusiastically say. The granita contains light cannabis, free of THC and therefore 'narcotic' effects.
Cannabis ice pops: our recipe
Marijuolo is a good product and the company that produces it had courage, choosing to use such a controversial raw material. However, cannabis-based popsicles can also be made at home, perhaps with organic or seasonal fruit , to be sure of what you put under your teeth. Imagine the joy of enjoying your cannabis popsicles on a sweltering day... Would the feeling be the same if the popsicles were bought?
Below you will find our secret recipe for preparing fresh and genuine cannabis ice lollies . We offer you a recipe based on strawberry and lime, but you can replace them with any other fruit you like.
To make excellent cannabis light ice creams you will need:
- 2½ cups strawberries;
- 1½ cups lime juice;
- 1 tablespoon honey;
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract;
- Edible tincture enriched with cannabinoids in variable quantities. It is important to pay attention to the doses, especially if you use a homemade product. Using 10mg of CBD for each ice lolly guarantees very intense effects; we, to start, recommend using 5mg per popsicle. The recipe makes 12 popsicles, so consider using 60mg of CBD in total.
- 12 popsicle sticks;
Method
- Clean and cut the strawberries. You will need the meatier parts, so set everything else aside. Create small pieces suitable to be inserted into the blender.
- Place all the ingredients in the blender and blend until you obtain a puree.
- Pour the mixture into the molds and insert the wooden sticks.
- Place in the freezer.
You can replace the strawberries with any other type of fruit, such as berries, mango, kiwi, orange, melon, lemon or lime. There is a lot of fruit, especially in summer, and you can indulge yourself. Instead of lime juice you can also use water, flavored water, coconut water, fruit juice, kombucha tea or even lemonade. You can also use hemp milk, a vegetable and raw food drink prepared simply by blending sativa hemp seeds with water.
It has no narcotic effect: light cannabis seeds are completely harmless and do not contain psychoactive molecules. Hemp seed milk does not contain cholesterol, does not contain lactose, and is also suitable for raw foodists, vegetarians, vegans and celiacs.
It is rich in essential omega 3 and omega 6 fats and is useful in diets to combat high cholesterol , hyperglycemia and hypertension . It is also rich in vitamin E and vegetable proteins with high biological value . Using hemp milk instead of a liquid like water or lime juice will make your popsicles very creamy, with a sorbet-like consistency.
Even for the sweet ingredient you can indulge yourself with honey, maple or glucose syrup. Follow your taste: only you know what you really like!
