‘Let’s Talk About Cannabis, Baby!’ - All Things Medicinal by The Skinny Chef

Hey there, Skinny readers! How’s it going? I hope your week has been fantastic and filled with great vibes. Welcome back to another edition of The Skinny Chef Weekly Blog! This week’s topic was a bit of a toss-up for me—cannabis! Yes, you heard it right. I wasn’t sure if I should dive in, but hey, this blog is about being real with you all, so let’s keep it open and honest!

I’ll let you in on something: I used to be a cannabis enthusiast myself! That was a while ago, though, and I haven’t touched a joint in over a year now.

Just to be clear, I’m not here to judge anyone who enjoys it—I’m all about you doing you! For me, though, I realized it was slowing me down. Fun fact: about 80% of The Skinny Chef Diaries was written under the influence of cannabis, which might explain why it took me a solid three years to finish it, ha-ha!

Believe it or not, I didn’t just smoke it—I cooked with it, too! Yep, we’re talking cannabis-infused ice cream, spicy chili, and other creations. Let me tell you how it all began. Just before the first wave of COVID hit, I threw a small dinner party at my place in Craighall, and for the first time, I decided to try cooking with cannabis. It was purely experimental, and my guests were the lucky guinea pigs! The verdict? They loved it—but let’s just say the “after-effects” had everyone feeling elevated for days. So, pro-tip: if you’re considering making cannabis edibles, definitely consult an expert first!

After that unforgettable dinner, I became obsessed with perfecting cannabis edibles. I wanted people to feel relaxed, relieved of pain, and able to sleep well (without the whole “high for days” thing). So, I went deep into research. Here’s a quick breakdown for anyone curious about making cannabis edibles.

The Science of Cannabis for Edibles

The cannabis plant contains THCA, a compound that doesn’t have psychoactive effects until it’s converted into THC. How do we make that magic happen? Through a process called decarboxylation. This involves heating the buds at a controlled temperature of about 70 degrees Celsius for 40–60 minutes. The heat removes an extra carboxyl group from the THCA, transforming it into THC. (Fancy, right?) You can do this at home by baking cannabis buds on a tray with parchment paper at low heat. Once that’s done, the infused buds are mixed with a fat like butter or oil. For my ice cream, I used crème anglaise as my base!

My Flavors and Experimentation

I worked tirelessly on three signature flavors. The first one was a Dark Belgian Chocolate & Chili—absolute showstopper! Next up, I crafted a Roasted Almond & Vanilla, and finally, a refreshing Vegan Cucumber & Mint Sorbet. Each was infused with top-quality ingredients and, of course, cannabis. Ah, writing about it now brings back some incredible memories of those creative times.

I co-founded a brand called Phiri’s Ice Cream, and let me tell you, at first, it felt like I was on the fast track to success! We even had a biochemist from UJ University testing my products

regularly. In addition to ice creams, I started experimenting with cannabis-infused chili sauces and other treats. But as exciting as it was, the journey wasn’t without its bumps.

Why didn’t it last? Let’s keep it real—capital was a huge hurdle, partnerships didn’t always click, and I had too many projects going at once. COVID hit hard, but I’m grateful for the creative outlet it provided during those challenging times. So, for anyone considering a leap into the cannabis food world, trust me—you’ll want an expert by your side (wink, wink, I’m your guy!).

Medicinal Benefits of CBD

Before we wrap, let’s touch on some powerful benefits of CBD, a non-psychoactive component of cannabis. Here’s how it can be a game-changer:

1. Lowers Blood Pressure:

   A 2017 study by JCI Insight found that CBD lowered blood pressure in participants.

   
   

2. Reduces Inflammation:

   Research by the Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research has shown CBD’s effectiveness in reducing inflammation and related pain.

   
   

3. Prevents Relapse in Addiction:

   A 2018 study found CBD can help those recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.

   
   

4. Treats Anxiety Disorders:

   CBD has shown promise in alleviating symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and PTSD.

   
   

5. Eases GI Disorders:

   CBD has been effective in preventing and treating GI issues like irritable bowel syndrome.

   
   

6. Reduces Seizures:

   Years of research back CBD’s benefits in treating epilepsy and seizure syndromes.

   
   

7. Fights Cancer:

   Studies show CBD may not only alleviate chemotherapy side effects but could also inhibit cancer cell growth.

   
   

So there you have it, Skinny fam! I hope you enjoyed this week’s blog as much as I enjoyed sharing it. It’s been incredibly hot lately—fingers crossed for rain soon! Thanks for tuning in. Until next week, stay safe, stay healthy, and most importantly, stay skinny! Same time, same place!