Cookbook:Cannabis

| Herbs and Spices Cannabis or marijuana is an herb known for its psychoactive effects. Cannabis is often smoked for these effects, but it may also be incorporated into food for a similar result.

Characteristics
Cannabis is a green herb derived from the flower of the cannabis plant. It is typically sold in its dried form, either whole or ground.

Effects
Oral consumption of cannabis can induce stronger psychoactive effects than most other methods of consumption. These effects often do not appear for up to an hour and a half after eating (due to the time it takes to digest the food), and it is common among first-time cooks (but long-time smokers) to eat too much thinking it has not worked. Use caution and proceed gradually when eating cannabis-containing foods to avoid undesirable effects. Serving cannabis-containing foods without the eater's knowledge or consent is highly inappropriate and may be dangerous.

Selection and storage
Cannabis loses its aromatic and psychoactive properties as it ages. In order to preserve these, store dried cannabis (preferably whole) in an airtight container away from any light and heat.

Preparation
If its psychoactive properties are desired in a dish, cannabis must first be ground and decarboxylated to convert its THCA content into the psychoactive compound THC. This can be achieved in a couple ways. The first is to bake it on a sheet pan for 30–40 minutes at 220°F (104°C). The resulting product can then be incorporated into foods as desired. Alternatively, the cannabis can be placed in a container, which is then put in a simmering water bath for 1 hour. If you want to infuse an fat (e.g. butter or oil) with cannabis, you can add it to the cannabis during the heating step. Whatever method you use, make sure not to heat the cannabis too much or for too long—this will cause the psychoactive compounds to volatilize and/or degrade. Once decarboxylated, the cannabis may be stored or used in cooking.

Use
Cannabis is currently primarily used to create foods that will produce a high. This is usually done by cooking with a fat infused with the cannabis. However, cultures in South Asia have a long history of making food and drink with cannabis.

Warnings

 * Cannabis is a drug and can cause tiredness, reddening of the eyes, dry mouth, increased heart rate, and a drop in blood pressure. Appetite is increased, and perceptions of distance and velocity can change. Illusions may occur. While the drug’s effects last, it is difficult to concentrate. Due to cannabis' strong psychoactive effects, people under the influence should not attempt to drive or operate heavy machinery.
 * Some cannabis users may become dependent on the drug and experience symptoms of withdrawal, although exact statistics are unclear due to insufficient studies.
 * Possession of marijuana is illegal in many countries. Depending on where you live, prosecution may result in fines, imprisonment, and even execution.