Marijuana Wine: When it comes to preferred methods of mellowing out, wine and weed aren’t mutually exclusive—which makes sense given their shared California provenance. Marijuana-infused wine
dates back to the hedonistic ’80s, when it was more a novel jab at The War on Drugs, but
it’s been making a comeback lately as a more highbrow elixir. Today, Napa Valley vintners are blending their Humboldt County pals’ crops with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah for a heady vintage which, while it can’t be sold to winery tourists, is proving to be popular on the local party scene. Fermented in small batches, the wine
reportedly delivers a quicker buzz than baked goods.
Marijuana Restaurant: Oregon was among the first states to legalize medical marijuana and, in the 13 years that have passed since, several local
eateries have experimented with the plant in the kitchen. However, few have succeeded in producing memorable menu items. New restaurant
Earth Dragon Edibles Restaurant & Lounge may be the first to offer “special” dishes that are a few shades more gourmet than the typical medicinal munchies. Its house dish is Mongolian BBQ, a customizable stir fry sizzled in hashish-infused grapeseed oil. Operating under the dogma that marijuana is meant to be shared, all food is technically free, though patrons are coaxed to make a donation to the self-medication cause.
Marijuana Supper Club: The
underground dinner club has endured among foodies who favor living room intimacy over trendy restaurant scenes. Typically, these gatherings are built around an imaginatively prepared farmer’s market bounty. But, at a new one in LA, the main attraction is the sacred herb. As
chronicled by Los Angeles Times food critic Jonathan Gold and
Boing Boing’s Xeni Jardin, a (secret) nine-course marijuana banquet was enjoyed by at least two groups of diners last month. The point was not to indulge hungry stoners, but rather to celebrate the toothsome essence of cannabis when used with Chinese herbs. Reportedly, the flavors were subtle…no doubt in stark contrast to the dinner conversation.
