Aunt Sandy's Medical Marijuana Cookbook (3 page)

While marijuana is not beneficial for everyone, it has improved the quality of life for many patients. Marijuana is not a cure for any disease or illness. Like most medicines, it increases comfort levels and helps to regulate a condition so a patient can be more productive in daily life. Cannabis can benefit a number of afflictions because of its ability to decrease certain kinds of pain, stimulate appetite, decrease spasms and seizures, and normalize dietary regiments. Deciding whether to use marijuana medicines should be a decision based on whether the effect of the medicine helps you function more normally and helps you cope with the symptoms of the conditions.

Marijuana is a medicinal plant with many different genetic varieties. Patients report that certain types of cannabis work better for specific afflictions than others. Medical marijuana is generally derived from three varieties: indica, sativa, and hybrids. An indica-dominant strain is commonly thought to have deeper body effects and helps with many physical afflictions. Sativa-dominant strains produce more of a cerebral, uplifting, and calming effect. A hybrid is a strain that has been developed by combining indica- and sativa-dominant plants to create marijuana medicine that has the traits and effects of both indica and sativa. Due to years of genetic modification and breeding, there are few pure strains of just sativa or indica; but the dominant genetics in most marijuana types generally lean one way or another. In each of these types of cannabis there are hundreds of different strains that have been bred to produce certain qualities. If possible, it may be necessary to try different varieties of marijuana to find which works best for you.

The raw plant material of marijuana can be ingested or used in other ways, such as smoking or vaporization. Vaporization heats the plant material to a temperature that activates the cannabinoids but does not burn the plant, so that the vapors can be inhaled. Cannabis can also be infused into butters, oils, and tinctures. The recipes in this book include these infusions as ingredients to provide the medicinal value to the foods.

Cannabis is one of the safest medicines on the planet. It is an herbal medicine that helps people find relief where traditional medicines have failed them. The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of the world population uses herbal remedies. This is not uncharted territory, as many who oppose marijuana may have you believe. Cannabis is not a magical plant that can heal any condition; but if used properly it can provide extended relief for many symptoms and drastically increase one's quality of life
if used safely
, and that is the topic of the next chapter.

W
hen beginning to cook with marijuana it is important to inspect the medicine being used for signs of contamination. Marijuana can contain biological contaminants, chemical contaminants, and even diseases. Plant material with measurable levels of pesticides or fungicides should not be used under any circumstances. Powdery mildew, while not shown to have any pathogenic qualities in humans, should also be avoided. Taking time to examine the marijuana before cooking with it can help to detect and avoid unwanted contamination of your medical foods.

It is best if you know the source of the medication to have a better idea of the cultivation process. Knowing the conditions of cultivation and storage helps you to know the sanitary standards, pesticides used, and if the medicine was properly stored to preserve active ingredients. Many times you do not know where the marijuana was grown, and that is okay. You can inspect the marijuana for problems and take certain safety precautions before cooking to help ensure it is safe for patient use. Here are some common marijuana contaminants and how to recognize them.

Fungal growths, such as molds and mildews, can be present on marijuana. In a perfect world all food and plants would be mold free, but when making medicinal foods it is extra important to be diligent. White powdery mildew is unfortunately very common. This manifests in a white powdery substance on the leaf and flower surfaces that feels chalky instead of sticky. You may be able to detect other fungal problems by smell; the plant material may smell musty. When the material is fresh, it can feel a little slimy, and that is better than dry and chalky. Dried plant material can contain mold spores. Dark discoloration can be a sign that your marijuana has been effected by mold contamination. Use a magnifying device or microscope to take a closer look if you suspect problems. Under a microscope molds will look like thin strands with distinct heads where you can see spore-like growth.

 

There are acceptable levels of molds in many herbal medications. However, patients with compromised immune systems should never take a chance. When in doubt, throw
it out. The American Nursing Association recommends boiling any mixture containing plant material at 325° for at least 30 minutes. THC evaporates at 380°, so you can boil marijuana at lower temperatures without losing its active ingredient. While this will kill certain kinds of molds, it will not kill them all; so never risk your health if your condition is worsened by molds and mildews.

 

Marijuana cultivation has been under-regulated for a long time. As a result, people often use dangerous and harsh pesticides or chemical growth additives in their plants. Some of these chemicals are dangerous for patients and should be avoided. Identifying pesticides is more difficult, but sometimes you can smell or taste a small portion of leaf and sense if there is a detectable chemical residue. The plant material being damaged or discolored may be a sign of pesticide contamination, as well.

 

If pesticides are dangerous to your condition be sure to exercise caution if using marijuana from unknown sources. There are home testing kits that can identify common toxins on foods if you have serious concern. Plant material with measurable levels of pesticides or fungicides should not be used under any circumstances.