This dish will transport you to a leisurely chill dinner under the Tuscan sun…and you can control the dosage.
Italy is the second most popular destination for American and Canadian tourists. The food, the lifestyle, the dolce vita. Along with France, it is the subject of books about escape, falling in love, or just finding yourself. It is a magical place and who hasn’t dreamt of being in the countryside, outside under fairy lights and feasting on some amazing local dishes. Well now you can enjoy this Tuscan soup with marijuana olive oil…live the dream!
The good thing with this recipe is your can control the dosage. You can provide the marijuana oil on the table and let people add it to the taste and desire.
Chill Tuscan Zuppa
Makes 4-6 servings
For the broth:
½ lb Hard cheese rinds (Pecorino, Parmigiano, Grana, Asiago, Piave, Manchego)
1 Medium red onion
1 Bulb garlic
Salt to taste
5 peppercorns
10 rosemary needles
4 c vegetable broth
6 c water
Notes on the cheese
Hard cheeses tend to be saltier than softer ones, and are aged to develop really unique savory flavors. Italian hard cheeses like Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano, and Piave are excellent for this recipe. Simply save rinds and until there is at least a full sandwich bag to make the tasty soup. If other hard cheeses like Manchego are on hand, they can be used to provide you the bulk of the rinds on the Italian side off the cheese wheel, you’ll get salty richness without too much ‘funk’ like with some types.
Soup Ingredients:
Kale
Veggie Sausage (or an Italian sausage of choice)
White beans
Cannabis olive oil*
Toasted Italian bread
Quarter onion, peel garlic, and place all ingredients into a large stockpot, bring to a boil and reduce to simmer for 45 minutes, strain with a fine sieve.
Return broth to pot and bring to a boil with beans. Sear sausages on all sides and chop roughly, save to add at the end.
Add kale after 5 minutes. After 8 minutes, beans should be tender and kale well wilted and soft, even the stems. Serve hot in a large bowl, add some of the sausage, garnish with toast rubbed with garlic for dipping, drizzled in cannabis olive oil* and grate more fresh cheese and pepper generously on top. If you want more spice add red pepper flakes, but not too much, it’s a delicately flavored broth.
*To make cannabis olive oil:
Decarboxylate starting material for 20 minutes at 225 degrees, 10 for hash and wax, in a sealed container. Add ½ c olive oil to a mason jar with cannabis and seal. Heat in water bath for 1 hour, strain and funnel into a clean bottle.
You can sub in pasta or tortellini for any of the above ingredients, or even just use all four. Even with vegetarian sausage, this combination with kale and beans makes it a filling, hearty meal that is fuel for a long evening of whatever you do on cold winters nights, from Hygge to Hamilton tickets.
MLK shared a vision about building a fabric of society, including everyone and working together. Can this happen with the marijuana industry?
The swearing in a new president always gives hope. The cannabis industry has seen 3 presidents, none who have helped move the industry truly forward. The public has had a change of heart and now almost 90% believe it should be legal in some form. The major medical associations and federal agencies (aside from the Drug Enforcement Adminstration) believe it has medical value. And yet, our older, white politicians see it for something it is not. Thousands of mom and pop business are hoping for a change to help them on their ladder to the American dreams. And tens of millions are turning to marijuana to not only solve medical problems, but to wean themselves off the more dangerous alcohol. Here is a look at Martin Luther King and cannabis.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is widely recognized for his pivotal role in the American civil rights movement, advocating for racial equality and justice. Although he did not publicly address cannabis use during his lifetime, his principles resonate deeply with contemporary discussions surrounding marijuana legalization and the broader implications of drug policy on social justice.
The prohibition of cannabis in the United States has roots in racial discrimination and social control. The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which effectively criminalized marijuana, was influenced by prejudiced attitudes towards minority communities, particularly targeting Mexican immigrants. This historical context is crucial when examining how the “War on Drugs” has disproportionately affected people of color, echoing the systemic injustices that King fought against.
Many scholars and activists argue if King were alive today, he would likely advocate for an end to the War on Drugs, recognizing it as a continuation of racial oppression. Michelle Alexander, in her influential work “The New Jim Crow,” highlights how the drug war has perpetuated cycles of racial injustice and mass incarceration. Statistics reveal that Black individuals are arrested for cannabis offenses at rates significantly higher than their white counterparts, despite similar usage rates. This disparity aligns with King’s vision of equality and justice for all.
As discussions around cannabis legalization continue to evolve, figures like Martin Luther King III emphasize the importance of equity in the cannabis industry. He advocates for creating opportunities for marginalized communities to participate in this burgeoning market. This aligns with King’s broader vision of building a “beloved community” where economic and social justice prevail.
A large portion of industry leaders who were involved in the incoming president’s campaign are hopeful. Millions of average people want it, millions more need it for medical issues, and thousands of small business owned by a variety of people want it, will this administration take the step forward?
It seems the new administration will put a bigger focus on space – here are the perfect strains to celebration the exploration.
The new admisntration is poised to encourage expanded space travel. Apollo 11 was the spaceflight conducted in 1969, and now Blue Origin, Boeing SpaceX and more are working on leaving the earth’s orbit normal. Civilians can now pay to be taking up and experience.
Not everyone can write the check, but here are our awesome 11 marijuana strains to celebrate space travel and take you out of this world.
A hybrid strain that combines relaxation, euphoria, and creativity. It’s gaining popularity for its unique branding and powerful effects, making it a standout in the cannabis market.
An indica-dominant strain (85% Indica/15% Sativa) known for its euphoric and focused effects. It features a fruity flavor profile derived from its parent strains, Gorilla Glue and Wookie #15.
Apollo 11
Celebrating the historic moon landing, this strain delivers strong cerebral effects that help alleviate stress and moderate pain.
Apollo 13
This hybrid strain features energizing effects with an earthy scent, inspired by the famous space mission. Users report a euphoric experience that feels like a journey through space.
Cosmic Collision
A fusion of Cosmic Charlie and Piña Collision, this sativa strain offers pineapple-kiwi flavors and uplifting effects that enhance creativity.
Carl Sagan
Named after the famous astronomer, this strain provides balanced effects and relaxation, perfect for unwinding after a long day of cosmic exploration.
Outer Space
A sativa known for its creative and energetic effects, Outer Space is said to make users feel uplifted and focused—ideal for those looking to explore their thoughts.
This balanced hybrid (50% Indica/50% Sativa) is known for its euphoric high and ability to alleviate various ailments such as pain and anxiety.
Northern Lights
A classic indica strain that promotes relaxation and introspection, perfect for those looking to ponder the mysteries of space while enjoying a calming experience.
White Widow
This enduring strain provides cerebral stimulation without anxiety, suitable for contemplative moments or social gatherings under the stars.
Supernova
Known for its powerful effects and vibrant flavors, Supernova is ideal for those seeking an explosive experience that mirrors the wonders of the cosmos.
There is a big buzz about the dropping of fact checking and opening the door to increased online harassment on Meta they still stomp on marijuana
Dealing with fake or hateful information online can be annoying, but for some, it is much worse. Especially for kids who are still developing their coping skills. In fact, 26.5% of teens (aged 13 to 17) reported experiencing cyberbullying within the last 30 days. This marked an increase from 16.7% in 2016. Despite the increase, Meta announced a shift towards a “community notes” model where users can flag questionable content instead of relying solely on third-party fact-checkers.
However, this change does not extend to cannabis content, which remains heavily moderated and often blocked from search results. Cannabis-related content on its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, remains stringent despite recent updates to its content moderation policies. The company continues to categorize cannabis content as a “high severity violation,” which places it alongside issues like terrorism and fraud.
Meta ended its third-party fact-checking program, replacing it with a user-driven model akin to Community Notes. Critics argue this will lead to an increase in misinformation and hate speech, as there will be less oversight on potentially harmful content. Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged that this change would likely result in more “bad stuff” circulating on its platforms.
And yet, the ongoing restrictions have made it difficult for cannabis advocates, news outlets, and businesses to share information or promote educational content about cannabis including medical marijuana. The American Medical Association, AARP, the Food and Drug Administration have all acknowledged the value of medical marijuana, but information on how it helps as been limited by Meta.
Many accounts related to cannabis advocacy have faced suspensions or limitations, further complicating efforts to engage with the public on legalization and reform issues. Not only as medical marijuana benefiting millions, thousands of mom and pop business are being hurt by the policy.
Meta’s policies reflect an outdated view of cannabis, lumping it together with more dangerous drugs without recognizing its legal status in many jurisdictions. This has led to accusations that Meta is missing an opportunity to support the evolving cannabis community and its businesses. Interesting their harmful cannabis policy is now in line with their hateful content policy.