Effects of smoked versus ingested cannabis

By Lauren Gennett, Simply Pure Master Chef

Cannabis sativa has been used for thousands of years as a form of medicine aiding such issues as pain management, sleep deprivation and even in conjunction with cancer treatments. It is a natural plant that can be grown with a few simple components: water, light and soil. Instead of considering cannabis a drug, why not think of it as an herbal dietary supplement?

Prior to 1937 when cannabis was made illegal, it was prepared primarily in the form of tinctures and sold in pharmacies everywhere for ailments like insomnia, cramps and nausea. Since the prohibition of cannabis, it has been discovered that the body creates endogenous cannabinoids and processes them through a system that regulates everything in the body called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. These endocannabinoids are so important and essential to human life that they can even be found in breast milk and play an important role in newborns learning the suckling behavior.

While it is true that when you ingest cannabis, the delta-9 THC is converted in the liver to a more potent and sometimes psychoactive form called 11-hydroxy THC. However, it does not mean you have to be flying high in outer space to enjoy the medicinal effects of cannabis. Ingesting your medicine is much less harmful to your body than smoking it and you are able to absorb more of the cannabinoids effectively.

It is best to consume edibles on an empty stomach so your body has a free and clear path to absorb all of those precious cannabinoids.

Simply Pure products are dedicated to potency, purity and consistency so you know the effect they will have on you with every dose. Because cannabis is not a pharmaceutical drug, it is not easy to classify a dose. Every person responds differently to this healing herb, so it may take a few times of experimentation to find out where your individual tolerance level should be.

The good news is that medical marijuana is one of the safest herbal substances on the market, showing no toxicity levels no matter which way you chose to medicate. But if you do decide to ingest your cannabis, Simply Pure recommends that you find the right dosage for you, by testing out small bites on an hourly regimented schedule.

What better way to impress and medicate fellow patients and dinner guests with this recipe for pumpkin praline mousse cups. This vegan dessert is also low in refined sugar and can be made gluten free. Irish moss is seaweed that contains copious amounts of vitamins, minerals and is very rich in calcium, magnesium, sodium and iodine. Sorghum syrup is a great alternative to high priced maple syrup without compromising on the flavor. By layering the medication into several different components in the dessert ensures everyone gets a full dose of cannabinoids.

Pumpkin praline mousse cups

3/4 cup Irish moss gel*
2 3/4 cups cooked pumpkin
7 tablespoons coconut nectar / maple syrup or sorghum syrup
4 drops stevia
2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup Simply Pure Medicated coconut oil, melted

Blend the first six ingredients together, until completely smooth and creamy in a blender, mixer or food processor. Add the oil and blend to incorporate. Pipe the mousse into pre-made chocolate shells using a star tip.

*Irish Moss gel

2 oz soaked Irish moss
1 cup water

Rinse a handful of Irish moss in cold water until all debris has been removed. Keep rinsing until the water is clean. Allow the moss to soak in cold water for 6–12 hours. Chop the moss and blend it with water until it warms up and turns into a gel. Use immediately or refrigerate the gel for 5–7 days.

Whole pecans

Cooked sugar to candy the pecans
Splash of lemon juice
Chocolate cups

Place the sugar and lemon juice in a pot and add enough water to resemble wet sand, stir to combine and cook over medium high heat until a nice amber color is reached. Dip the nuts using a fork and allow to cool on wax paper before placing on the mousse cup.