Germany legalizes c*nn*bis!
What this means for tourism + a fresh 420 event list
Recreational use of c*nn*bis is now legal in Germany – hooray! But don’t get too excited yet. I’ve got a hot take from a Berlin local and a new recipe series announcement for you today my blossoms.
UPDATE: Technically not legal yet and still needs a final pass in the final stage of German parliament to pass. As explained to me by Evil Flower in our conver-SESH-ion and podcast episode.
Vol. 32 // In this Issue:
Hot Take: Legal W**d in Germany
Best Edible I Tried This Month
ICYMI Highlights
HIGH-ly Recommended Events
Save the Date: F+F C*nn*bis Gardening Meetup in Los Angeles
Amoãtati Portrait
I want to make it super easy for you to try cannabis cooking at home. I recognize that we are all short on time after the end of a long week, and my recipes can be a bit… complex. So I’m introducing a new recipe series — Baked Box Mix.
Starting with next week’s recipe, I’ll show how to infuse any box mix from the grocery store. I’ll walk through steps to calculate potency, approximately how much flower to use, and share a few semi-homemade baking tips to make that box mix recipe sparkle.
Think blueberry muffins, blondies, cornbread, ube pancakes, Funfetti cake mix… whatever we can find at the store! What do you want me to make? Drop it in the comments.
Baked Box Mix once-a-month recipe posts are free for all subscribers! I’ll continue to share my original recipes once a month with paid subscribers.
When you’re ready to level up your cannabis infusions upgrade your subscription to get access to all my recipes, and the DIY Edibles section with more advanced tips and techniques.
Coming up next for paid subscribers: How to Make Cannasugar and Infused Tanghulu (Candied Fruit)
Hot Take: Legal Cannabis in Germany
A friend from Berlin visited me this weekend and we discussed what this newly legal recreational cannabis market might look like. Here’s her hot take:
While she’s stoked that cannabis is decriminalized, safe accessibility and how to purchase legal cannabis is the big question mark and unknown. As a medical cannabis user in Berlin, getting access to quality flower and low-dose edibles will still be challenging. And how will they tackle the illicit market that will inevitably persist unless an affordable alternative is created?
According to the new laws starting April 1, 2024:
German citizens over 18 years old will be allowed to possess substantial amounts of cannabis. Up to 25g is allowed in public spaces, and up to 50g in private homes.
Smoking cannabis in public spaces will be legal.
Smoking in some nears, such as near schools and sports grounds will be illegal.
Buying cannabis will be strictly regulated, so even though you’re allowed to possess they’re gonna make it really hard to buy.
No licensed shops or pharmacies are planned or intended for the near future.
Not-for-profit cannabis social clubs will be allowed to grow and distribute a limited amount to members – 500 members max, German citizens only. No tourists allowed.
Onsite consumption at cannabis social lounges will not be allowed.
Permitted to grow up to three cannabis plants per household.
“We have two goals: crack down on the black market and improved protection of children and young people,”
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said at the start of a rowdy debate where the opposition accused him of promoting drug use. – Reuters
First, let’s stop referring to the illicit or illegal market as the “black market.” The term is racist and comes from associating black people of color with criminal, illegal activity to incite fear and hate. Don’t @ me with excuses. Look it up.
Second, notice the two goals from the Health Minister. Let’s be real. The language around “crack down” on the “black market” is not about protecting children and young people. Racist undertones and fear-mongering is an age-old tactic. While I support reducing unsafe illicit market products for overall safety, my experience here in California cannabis tells me it’s gonna get more complicated before it gets better.
According to an interview with L.A. Weekly, medical cannabis company, Bloomwell Group, is in prime position to step in to provide medical cannabis to the increasing number of patients using their telehealth and e-prescription services. Pardon my skepticism, but based on the photos of old white men in the C-suite and board, this feels like a capitalist trap. Their website says all the right things but [insert eye-roll here].
In California, the illicit market continues to persist because taxes, fees, bureaucratic red tape, and federal banking laws push prices for consumers sky-high and make it impossible for farmers and businesses to thrive. Both are jumping ship to the illicit market where things are just simpler. And the solution from the government is to increase taxes, which increases prices for everyone, in order to raise more money. SMH. This is why legal weed is so expensive.
I’m hopeful that legalization of cannabis social clubs in Germany will create a safer environment where citizens can legally access cannabis. Not allowing onsite consumption even though smoking in public places or private homes is legal seems counterintuitive. And while it seems great that each household can grow up to three plants, in big cities like Berlin where everyone lives in apartments and growing space is limited, it’s a challenge for even the most talented home indoor grower.
For tourists, the best way to get access is to know a local. There won’t be Amsterdam-style cafes any time soon but if you can get your hands on a precious j, at least you can freely smoke it legally outside.
I’m curious to see how legalization in Germany plays out. Hopefully, they’ll have better strategy and execution than here in the States, but with the bickering amongst Parliament members, I have a feeling it’s gonna be a shitshow before it gets better.
What do you think?
ICYMI Highlights
Humphry Slocombe x Sonoma Hills Farm Ice Cream Collaboration: The SF ice cream maker and sun-grown cannabis farm collaborated to make a Pink Jesus (non-infused) ice cream flavor inspired by the cannabis stain. Keep an eye out for a Secret Breakfast preroll to honor the ice cream company’s famous flavor – coming April 1.
Lost Farms x Sonoma Hills Farm Collaboration: Pomegranate Pink Jesus chews and Root Beer x Gastro Pop gummies – now available! The brand collab last year was a masterpiece, can’t wait to try these new ones.
Weed + Coffee: Instagram is going crazy over my all-glass pour-over coffee setup from Pure Over. I also show why rolling with glass tips tastes better.
Great Moments in Weed History: Meet Magu – China’s Ancient Hemp Goddess
Mogu Magu Year of the Dragon event celebrating Lunar New Year: Highlight reel + sound bath. Generous thanks to Ispire for sponsoring the festivities.
Best Edible I Tried This Month
I consume and review a lot of edibles for Budist. But this one I can’t post on the app because it’s not available in California. Available in Arizona, Oregon, Nevada, Oklahoma, New Jersey, and Missouri, Grön is one of “the world’s most beautifully delicious edibles.”
Elegantly-made, thoughtfully-produced with solventless rosin, Grön’s chocolate candy-coated Pips and chewy Tangelo Pearl are the best edibles I’ve taste-tested this month.
Made with fair-trade chocolate each bite-sized Pip is 5mg THC each. The new Tangelo sugar-coated Pearl contains 10mg THC + 5mg CBD + 5mg CBG per serving. Not only do they taste delicious, the high from both edibles hit me unexpectedly strong in a really good way.
That Tangelo Pearl put me in the best mood, it felt like I was floating on a tangerine cloud.
HIGH-ly Recommended 🥦 Events
A roundup of vibe-checked cannabis-friendly events:
2/28 - Blessed & Highly Flavored, a culinary celebration of plants and roots. Chala June curates a special supper club event honoring the Black contributions to the worlds of cuisine and cannabis. | The Travel Agency (New York City)
3/3 - Puffdao Carnival, save the date for an epic anniversary party. | Puffdao (Los Angeles)
3/3 - Beads & Buds, high arts and crafts class! Make you own wire bead necklace and enjoy infused expression and matcha. | @NancyChains (Los Angeles)
3/6 - Cannabis Gardening Workshop, learn how to grow cannabis at home in your backyard alongside your fruits and vegetables. | Grow it From Home + Little Green Plant Bar (Redwood City, CA)
3/16 - Puff & LAUGH, a cannabis-friendly live comedy show, delicious Mediterranean food, camaraderie, and good vibes. | Goats Haven Lounge (San Diego)
3/16 - Cannabis Gardening Workshop, learn how to grow cannabis at home in your backyard or patio. | Grow it From Home + International Garden Center (Los Angeles)
3/26 - Elevated Sound Bath Meditation, with sacred sounds by Devon, henna by Mehndi420, infused drinks, dab bar, and goodie bags. | @thcntechno (Los Angeles)
4/16 - Brunch of Stoners, get high and smoke weed at this members only event. Voted Best Cannabis Supper Club by Chicago Reader! Sign up for the email list to get invited. | Brunch of Stoners (Chicago)
4/20 - 420 Infused Dining Experience is popping up in 5 cities! Menus featuring classic munchies classics, each guest is dosed based on their own individual tolerance level. Chef Table upgrade available. DM or comment on IG post for ticket link. | @The_NomadCook (Kansas City / Seattle / St. Paul / Edmonton / Kelowna)
5/4-5 - The Emerald Cup, a craft cannabis marketplace with panel sessions, activations, live music, food, drinks, the legendary Emerald Cup competition, and awards. | The Emerald Cup (Oakland)
FOR PAID SUBSCRIBERS
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, March 17
Fruit + Flower Conver-SESH-ion & Tea Party
If you’ve ever wanted to go check out The Woods, a luxurious cannabis consumption lounge in West Hollywood, join me and a few of my cannabis and gardening friends for a sesh and conversation about how to grow cannabis at home.
The Woods has generously hooked me up with a Cabana in Woody Harrelson’s Giggle Garden to host a Fruit + Flower meetup. Ask a grower for tips. Get a pack of seeds. Meet some new stoner friends!
Cabanas at The Woods are available to rent by the hour. If you’re ballin’ on a budget and want to experience the magical giggle garden cabana life, roll through! Keep an eye out in your inbox for your official invite.
Amoãtati -- a beautiful Guarani word with no English translation that describes when we release smoke and it swirls to give us messages.
"A smoke tea of the fire -- a smoke blessing that we bathe in to connect with the spirits and learn the messages."
What do you see in the smoke tea?
I see wild horses.
XOXO, Christina W.
