“Oh, look, you can book marijuana-friendly lodgings through a site called Bud and Breakfast,” I said, showing Rich the ad in our free newspaper. As a travel writer, I felt I owed it to my readers to find out more about this new Airbnb-style website for potheads. The home page shows people smoking hand-rolled cigarettes while lounging around fire pits and hot tubs, looking about one toke away from drifting indoors for a night of psychedelic sex in the Jerry Garcia room. Where was all this when I was in college? And when did the weed world become so mainstream? When I tried to follow some Bud and Breakfast links, such as cannabis-friendly accommodations in Spain, I found myself on a bare-bones page with a non-stop spinny graphic and no way to advance; ah, this was the kind of work I expected from the stoner community. Some things never change. Having grown up in the era when pot-smoking was a felony, I'm still amazed to find it’s a legal, $17 billion industry you can talk about openly. This summer, a physical therapist gave me a free sample of cannabis-infused balm for twinges of arthritis in my wrist. Pals encouraged me to try gummies as well, so I called up The Nice Guys – Friendly Cannabis Delivery. Half expecting the phone would be answered by a slurred teen voice calling me “man,” I got a cheerful, competent professional who explained the difference between the strains indica (mellowing) and sativa (energizing) and recommended I try the Tart Cherry with 18 mg CBD and 1mg THC. The only old-school touch: I had to pay in cash and the driver would come in an unmarked car to my home or the street corner of my choice. Unfortunately, the gummies made me sluggish and a little dizzy, which was worse than the twinges, and the cannabis balm didn’t really do the trick. So I went back to Tylenol and my heating pad. Others, apparently, are having better luck with the bright new pot industries, especially the edibles. I was curious about how marijuana cuisine had advanced since the traditional pot brownies (also known as “wownies,” and “space cakes”). And that led me to Bong Appétit. An offshoot of the more conventional cooking show Munchies, Bong Appetit explores the myriad ways to use cannabis in the kitchen. The first episode is just what you’d expect: a couple of young guys with amusing hair and lavish tattoos brewing cannabis cocktails in a slick LA setting. But the second episode is a real gem: Nonna Marijuana’s Italian Feast, in which the 91-year-old shows us how to make weed-infused butter that can add a little extra zing to any dish. Decades ago, Nonna's daughter Valerie suffered grand mal seizures, and when traditional medical treatments failed to help, pot provided real relief. Valerie became a champion of legalizing medical marijuana. And Nonna (who never uses pot herself, saying “It doesn’t agree with me”) developed recipes such as marijuana chicken cacciatore (aka “pot-cciatore”) and gnocchi drizzled with ganja butter. In the video, Nonna puts Matt, Bong Appétit’s reporter, to work mashing potatoes for the gnocchi. He does such a good job, she cackles, “You’d think I just had sex. Look at this satisfied look I have on my face!” I believe Matt actually blushes. Eventually the feast is ready and a group gathers at a long table with candlelight, Italian music, and Nonna's culinary creations. By the time dessert comes around, Matt is helpless with laughter. “Maybe it’s a little too strong,” says Valerie, eyeing the marijuana ice cream she's passing to him. “This could cure cancer.” “I can’t even swallow it,” Matt gasps, going off into more guffaws. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Weed-infused butter? Ganja ice cream? This sounds like a pretty fattening lifestyle. But according to Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, published by the National Institutes of Health, a couple of rather flabbergasted doctors discovered that in “large epidemiological studies in the general population, findings consistently indicate that users of marijuana tend to have lower body mass indices than nonusers.” Yep, potheads are thinner than the average abstainer. Go figure. The doctors were quick to point out that these “paradoxical and somewhat perplexing” results could be due to a variety of factors, such as how much pot you smoke, metabolism, etc. They note underweight people can rely on pot to stimulate their appetite and help them fatten up. But the fact remains that potheads tend to be skinnier than most. The docs seemed so uncomfortable with the findings that I pictured them wiping their brows as they typed the final recommendation that further research was needed. I don’t think they’ll have any trouble finding volunteer subjects. While nobody’s seriously recommending pot for weight loss, other therapeutic uses abound. A couple of enterprising women here in Marin County, CA launched Kikoko, a line of marijuana infused teas that let you order by the desired state of mind. Product descriptions include “I’m prone to worry and have anxious thoughts” (who doesn’t these days?), “I just want to go to sleep,” and the ever-popular “My sex drive needs a re-boot.” Before you reach for your wallet, I have to break it to you that these teas can only be purchased in California, at least for now. Similar products may be available in your area, if you live in one of the 35 states where pot’s legal. Marijuana won’t solve the world’s problems; it probably won’t even make you thinner. But it can offer a little relaxation in these jittery times, when everyone is running scared, “coronasomnia” is on the rise, and young couples report having less sex thanks to pandemic depression and anxiety. (I know, what a bunch of lightweights. Kids today!) Whether we partake in the Bob Marley room of a treehouse, at an Italian feast, or on our own back porch with old pals, marijuana is now (in most states) a civil liberty. Let the good times roll. Have you been exploring the newly legal marijuana travel and food industries? What have you discovered? Please share in the comments section below. Also, I haven't tried this cannabis brownie recipe; if you do, I want a full report. YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY CLICK HERE FOR MORE
of my weekly commentary on travel, culture, good eats, and survival comforts. FEEL FREE TO SHARE this article with family, friends, and anyone interested in the new, respectable world of weed. https://www.enjoylivingabroad.com/my-blog/does-marijuana-make-you-thinner
25 Comments
Phyllis
9/1/2021 05:46:14 pm
I have to ask: What is that outrageous chocolate dessert in your heading? It looks too dense to be a cake.
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Karen K McCann
9/1/2021 09:01:40 pm
Isn't it marvelous? It is a cake, Phyllis. As a matter of fact, it was Rich's birthday cake this summer. I took the photo because I plan to do a painting of it as soon as I get settled back in Spain later this month. My brother took one look at the photo and said, "Food porn!" I guess that's one way of looking at it.
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9/1/2021 07:29:17 pm
Tried edibles; absolutely not for me. It's being smoked all over the place now and I can't stand the smell of it. When I voted to legalize it I hadn't thought about the smell.
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Karen McCann
9/1/2021 09:05:45 pm
So glad you like the story, Nancy. And I couldn't agree more about the edibles I've tried. Gummies aren't for me. Maybe it's better when you cook the pot into Mediterranean comfort food. As for psilocybin, I've always thought that was more for a psychedelic experience, but I'm glad you found it medicinal as well. And thinning, too. You got a lot out of your Jamaica experience!
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Duane
9/1/2021 07:29:40 pm
I must admit to trying some of the better Weed over the years. Not much, mind you, but some. As years came and went it became a medicinal herb (Worked like a dream). I have friend from California who always said, "I have two groups of friends, some who drink and some who smoke. the drinkers all want to go race cars and fight and the smokers want to sing and sleep. Seems like a "No contest" as to which "Little Helper" should be encouraged. :0)
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Karen McCann
9/1/2021 09:09:44 pm
So true about the two groups, Duane. That's one of the lessons I learned in high school. The drinkers spent the weekends getting into trouble with the law while the stoners just watched old re-runs of Star Trek, ate cookies, and laughed uproariously. You're right. No contest. And aren't we lucky to have lived long enough to see the "demon weed" legalized in much of the US and elsewhere?
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9/1/2021 10:30:06 pm
Holy cannoli, have we just found the golden ticket to weight loss?! Sign me up!
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Karen McCann
9/2/2021 12:01:13 am
No guarantees, Shéa, but hey, it couldn't hurt!
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Faye
9/1/2021 11:16:40 pm
So glad Phyllis asked about that chocolate cake that absolutely makes my mouth water every time I look at it. Fortunately, I am having a birthday later this month, so yes indeed I am pretty sure I will indulge. I only hope I can find a cake that looks as good as this one. Unfortunately my birthday numbers are getting a little too high for comfort, but then when I consider the alternative, I will continue to be grateful for each one!
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Kitty
9/4/2021 03:01:10 am
Very fun post. I have been trying for many years to find a pot product that helps me sleep instead of Xanax. Edibles of CBD didn't work. I got a free pre-roll by showing my Covid vax card and have tried it a few times but still can't really tell. 2 tokes gets you high-yikes so it lasts a long time.
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12/16/2021 03:42:30 pm
A lot of people are struggling to lose weight. I am amazed because, I only knew few benefits of marijuana.
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4/27/2022 10:39:01 am
it is such an impressive piece of content which is full of knowledge.
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8/24/2022 07:00:29 am
Vaults may be designed to keep money safe, but they must be flexible to enable access and innovation to other parts of the bank. Banks want to deliver more than just a safehouse for funds; they want to build memorable banking experiences.
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9/17/2022 09:25:15 pm
Our food is 100% vegan. We aim to provide great food that is packed with flavor (and sometimes a bit of fun). We source local produce when possible and have gluten free options.
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9/20/2022 07:14:36 am
A sturdy and warm sweatshirt bound to keep you warm in the colder months. A pre-shrunk, classic fit sweater that's made with air-jet spun yarn for a soft feel and reduced pilling.
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10/8/2022 09:29:15 pm
Vegan fare served in a storied & trendy former pub with industrial-chic decor & a bar.
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10/23/2022 07:49:27 pm
Like many primordial Greek deities, Circe’s parentage is often disputed from one source to another. In some traditions, Circe is the daughter of Hecate, the chthonic goddess of witchcraft.
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11/9/2022 10:30:32 am
Secret Santa gifts for guys can be tricky to find. You want something thoughtful and useful that won’t break the bank. The “Drunk Stoned or Stupid” party game card is the perfect gift for the guy with everything. This game will get a few laughs and might even help you get to know your friends better.
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11/11/2022 12:35:11 pm
Welcome to Chasing Daisies, your daily styling inspiration for every activity, occasion, event, party, and trip!
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11/22/2022 04:52:05 am
feel more confident in their understanding of the subject, and become less apprehensive when dealing with numbers in the future.
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11/23/2022 07:35:47 pm
With the colder seasons coming in fast, one of the best gifts for midwives to show your appreciation is a sweatshirt. Not only will this keep them comfortable and warm from the cold, but putting it on will make them feel special as well.
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11/24/2022 06:55:29 pm
Give your elf their own swing by the doorway using a toilet roll! Just look how much fun this little guy is having! You can even put a sweet, little note for your family to read whenever they pass by the elf.
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12/3/2022 08:08:10 am
Accidents can happen all the time when you’re on the road and sometimes that involves spilling drinks and even breaking tumblers or mugs inside the truck. So to help your truck driver with that aspect, give them a mug that’s not only insulated but shatter-proof as well.
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Winner of the 2023 Firebird Book Award for Travel
#1 Amazon Bestseller in Tourist Destinations, Travel Tips, Gastronomy Essays, and Senior Travel
Welcome!
This blog is a promotion-free zone. As my regular readers know, I never get free or discounted goods or services for mentioning anything on this blog (or anywhere else). I only write about things that interest me and that I believe might prove useful for you all to know about. Whew! I wanted to clear that up before we went any further. Thanks for listening. TO I'm an American travel writer based in Seville, Spain.
Wanderlust has taken me to more than 60 countries. Every week I provide travel tips and adventure stories to inspire your journeys and let you have more fun — and better food — on the road Don't miss out! SIGN UP HERE to be notified when I publish new posts. BLOG ARCHIVES
May 2023
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