Do Cannabis and Football Mix?
Although our tailgating traditions have long centered around coolers and kegs (and a victory case of Dom Perignon for the athletes), cannabis may actually be a better fit for some fans and performers. In the past few years, many pro players have come out as canna-fans, saying that the anti-inflammatory1 and pain-relieving2 3 4 abilities of bud serve their hardworking bodies better than conventional remedies. Some are concerned about the long-term harm to liver and kidneys that can come from relying on NSAIDs like Advil and Aleve5. Others find that enjoying cannabis recreationally causes them fewer problems than a habit of hardballs and craft brews.
The NFL still tests athletes for cannabis, but spokesman Brian McCarthy stated in 2017 that the league was beginning to work with the Players’ Association to review cannabis studies and consider changing its position on using pot for pain.
The rest of us mere mortals are operating as armchair athletes and weekend warriors. We might not be subject to as many concussions and ripped ligaments as our scrimmage line heroes, but we probably feel the effects of our workouts (or lack thereof) a little more each year. The relatively gentle relief we could get from moderate use of cannabis (without the aforementioned issues related to NSAIDs and alcohol) may give us an alternative way to ease the aches and stress of adult life.
Are Edibles a Good Choice for a Party?
Many of us gearing up for game day are facing off with midlife. We’re still down to party, but might be calling our nights a little earlier so we can go pay the babysitter. Like the Millennials, we’re more in-tune with our bodies and health than our parents were. On top of eating kale and doing yoga, a growing number of us are drinking less alcohol and replacing it with weed.
Mindful cannabis consumers like Nathan Witte are excited about the growing popularity of social edibles. When asked about his experiences dosing THC in festive company, he said, “I’m a non-drinker. It’s been that way for about three or four years. When I picked up my first infused mocktail, this wave of happiness came over me. Just having it in my hand felt like drinking, but without having to do all those same old things. It was great feeling like I could be part of the group again.”
Learn more about Some Social Benefits of Edibles
How to Host the All-Time Greatest Football Festivity
The number one thing you need to keep in mind to throw the best blazing bash is to protect your guests from accidentally getting way too high.
The best strategies for this are to make sure that guests know:
• Which foods are infused, and which are "clean"
• How much THC is in each serving
• How much food constitutes a serving
This way, your buds can choose for themselves how much THC to consume based on their experience and tolerance. For friends who are new to edibles, (even if they’ve been smoking cannabis for ages), it’s also a good idea to give them a heads up about these tricky details:
• It will typically take between 1–2 hours to start feeling the effects of edibles6
• The high from edibles can last 6 hours or more7
• The THC in an edible is more potent than the same amount if it was smoked8
This info can save uninitiated pals from the common mistake of thinking that an edible isn’t “working”, and then doubling or tripling their dose before their body has a chance to digest the THC.
The last commandment of serving edibles is:
• Thou shalt not leave cannabis edibles within reach of kids or pets. THC can be toxic to them 9 10.
The Ultimate Snacks for Your Armchair Quarterbacks
Check out these recipes from Chef Travis at The Nomad Cook for a supremely satisfying trio of dips.
These chip- and veggie-enhancers have been cleverly designed to make it easy to keep your festivities safe and fun. Each dip is calibrated to 5 mg THC per serving and portioned into individual-sized bowls. This relatively low dose is a good place to start for most newbies, and lets edibles veterans grab a second or third bowl if they want.
With all your new edibles expertise, you’re ready to rock the banquet this Sunday. If you need a little more inspiration to rally your pep, check out this sneak peek of the blazing-hot halftime by Shakira and J.Lo. You can also bone up on your conversational Superbowl-speak with this rundown of where the teams stand as they prepare to grab the 54th Lombardi.
References
[1] Nagarkatti, P, et al. Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs. Future Med Chem. 2009;1(7);1333-1349.
[2] Abrams DI. The therapeutic effects of Cannabis and cannabinoids: An update from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report. Eur J Intern Med. 2018;49:7-11.
[3] Fraguas-Sánchez AI, Torres-Suárez AI. Medical Use of Cannabinoids. Drugs. 2018;78(16):1665-1703.
[4] Mucke M, Phillips T, Radbruch L, Petzke F, Hauser W. Cannabis-based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain in adults. Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews. 2018;3:CD012182.
[5] Marcum ZA, Hanlon JT. Recognizing the Risks of Chronic Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Use in Older Adults. Ann Longterm Care. 2010;18(9):24-27.
[6] Huestis MA. Human Cannabinoid Pharmacokinetics. Chemistry & biodiversity. 2007;4(8):1770-1804.
[7] Huestis MA. Human Cannabinoid Pharmacokinetics. Chemistry & biodiversity. 2007;4(8):1770-1804.
[8] Lemberger L, Martz R, Rodda B, Foney R, Rowe H. Comparative pharmacology of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and its metabolite, 11-OH-Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol. J Clin Invest. 1973;52(10):2411-7.
[9] Claudet I, et al. Unintentional Cannabis Intoxication in Toddlers. Pediatrics. 2017;140(3) Epub 2017 Aug 14
[10] Lemberger L, et al. Comparative Pharmacology of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and its Metabolite, 11-OH-Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol. J Clin Invest. 1973;52(10):2411-2417.