FoodFlowerFuture & Heavy Petal Creative satisfied the senses and set the stage for canna-connection, behold: The New Way to Dinner Party.

I’ve been to wine-pairings where someone talks about the food, the vino, why they go together, and an interesting tidbits about the region in which it was grown. Now, we’re doing this with herb and it just makes so much sense. Not only does cannabis enhance the senses including smell and taste, but it too has complexities that contribute to its uniqueness. Do you know the word terroir? The term reefers (heh) to the natural environment in which wine (or cannabis) is produced including the soil, climate, and topography; it lends much of what we love to the profile of the flower we consume. 

When I’m sizin’ up herb, products, farms, etc., the people behind them, the terroir in which they’re grown, and the social equity impact of the brand MATTER. Just like I don’t shop certain places bc of their lack of such things, I don’t patronize generic herb bc I don’t want to support the unknown or worse - people I don’t respect. Many consumers don’t care where their herb comes from, and I don’t guilt anyone for it, I mean, it wasn’t long ago that many of of would take what we could get, but now that so much information is available about the things we value - it behooves us to pay attention in the weed-realm. I like to know where the plant was grown, who grew it, and what type of farming practices were used, etc. I generally like sun grown herb, I feel the spectrum is more complex, the flavors deeper, and it’s literally connected to the earth, as Mother Nature intended. And good thing, cause the evening was all sun grown pairings!

I dug the High Style cannabis infused nonalcoholic beer. Our chefs, wife and hubby team Mangia Ghangia added blood orange juice and we dosed it with lovely CBD from Zadaka. As a non-drinker this mocktail really worked for me, it was elevatingly refreshing. Highstyle brewery is here in San Diego, I was seated at a table with Charlie, the rep, who is also the daughter of one of the Brewers, which I just absolutely love! Family owned and operated? Hell yeah, here for it. 

Always on point, California cannabis powerhouse FlowKana brought the delicious with Lime Juice, which was paired with a chilled watermelon soup and I’m still thinking about it. Terpy and citrusy with a sour note, it was a stellar palette primer for the dish and table conversation.

Alongside a burrata salad with beets, pomegranate, and Three Leaf Edibles blood orange gummies, Aloha Humboldt, a farm nestled in the Emerald Triangle, served us sour diesel joints infused with Nasha Extracts icewater hash. Uh...YUM. Delicious. And such a nicely intense high, just a few puffs and even this super stoner was feeling’ very good. These pack a smooth smoke and a slow burn the whole doob. Aloha Humboldt is also run by a husband and wife team which is fantastic and I *adore* the shade of blue in the branding, too. Meant to snap up a hat! 

One of my NorCal faves, Aster Farms paired their Deep Sour Kush with the chimichurri hangar steak course last night and I swear that joint was like the steak of weeds. Dank, savory, delicious - it was spot on as a pairing. The terpene beta caryophyene is prominent in both the strain and pepper that was used in the steak marinade. It’s technically a terpene BUT this compound modulates neuro receptors in a similar way to cannabinoids; it’s due to the presence and interaction of terps and cannabinoids that induce the coveted entourage effect. Also, Stef, you’re a delight.

This evening stuck out to me as a cultural shift. I’m used to going to events with mainly women (which in themselves are a vibrant sub-culture) and I had a bunch of insightful conversations with enlightened dudes last night - it was really wonderful. It’s heartening to hear men describe how they witness women being disadvantaged in this world (and not in a man-splainey way); from men who are married to strong women to men who were raised by strong women, I have a lot of hope for gender equity because men are starting to stand up for women, they’re starting to believe us, and tell other men to be better. This reinforces my belief in cannabis as a tool for social change. We connect through and have important conversations thanks to it!

Also, there were CATS. Like ten of ‘em. Anyone who knows me knows I. Fucking. Love. Cats. The venue host operates Burton’s Pride a FANTASTIC kitteh rescue who made a big impact during the recent fires and are rehabbing kitties beautifully - if you’re in the market for a fully loaded puss at a fair price check them out right meow (sns).  My heart is grateful for Khara of @FoodFlowerFuture, my dear friend @heavypetal, my pals Mangia Ghangia, who’s fare is like a hug for the culinary soul, and for all the event sponsors - whatta goodie bag!  This is most definitely the next level dinner party - truly it was food, flower and future. My spirit so needed it.