How Does Recreational Cannabis Legalization Impact the Future of Medical Cannabis?
by Chane Leigh
With the increase in cannabis legalization came an increased interest in cannabis edibles—which have quite a reputation. Edibles have come to be known as a different kind of cannabis experience in which the effects take a while to kick in but last for several hours. While brownies are famous as the most traditional form of cannabis edible, two chefs in Los Angeles are reimagining the boundaries for these elevating treats with a new edible kitchen called Cloud 11.
Politico explained that the COVID-19 pandemic is “eating away at the illicit marijuana market,” meaning more and more consumers have been rejecting illegal cannabis products in favor of regulated ones that carry less health risk. As a result, the legal cannabis industry has seen a boom like never before, and opportunities to take the industry to new levels are abundant.
According to Kris Krane, CEO of 4Front Ventures, consumers “may not want to go to their dealer’s house, or they may not want to have their dealer come into their house, at a time when people are social distancing and not supposed to be interacting with people they don’t know.” Fortunately, we live in a time of immense innovation and creative problem-solving.
Many legal cannabis companies or operations have been looking to take advantage of the increase in legal cannabis consumption, and one that offers an especially unique take on the industry is Cloud 11. The company was founded by chefs Nick Pritzker and Manuela Sanin, a pastry chef alum from New York’s Eleven Madison Park restaurant, with the goal of curating a line of elegant edibles. Beginning in early September 2021, they’ve watched that dream come to life.
This haute confectionery offers handmade and hand-delivered bonbons with delectable flavors such as salted peanut, strawberry pink peppercorn, and black sesame and yuzu. To make these fancy goodies, the chefs “fill each chocolate shell with ganache and finish them with meticulously hand-painted designs by our team, giving each flavor its own unique aesthetic and identity,” according to the Cloud 11 website.
Eater LA explains that the bonbons are “two-bite edibles” which vary between “2 and 4 milligrams of psychoactive THC per serving.” This dosage caters to responsible consumption because it’s big enough to experience the high but small enough to curb any potential negative side effects—granted one doesn’t eat more than a serving at a time.
Describing the chocolates as found “at the intersection of art and science,” Pritzker and Sanin explain that their edibles provide a more “wholesome” experience with the added assurance that the psychoactive treats were made by a trained pastry chef. They have taken the science of effective and enjoyable THC dosages and combined it with the artistry associated with high-end treats like bonbons.
Seasoned cannabis consumers with experience in edible consumption can tell you that it is hard to find edibles that do not taste like cannabis itself. Some find the cannabis flavor enjoyable or nonintrusive, but others do not—and Chef Sanin is here for you. She states that “food is delicious and doesn’t have to stop at edibles,” which is why she crafts her confections with flavors like peanut and sesame that “work well with the natural bitterness and earthiness in cannabis.”
Cloud 11 delivers each of its orders by means of a white-gloved delivery person—making the whole experience as elegant as the edibles themselves. Cloud 11 is just one exciting example of how members of the cannabis industry are making efforts to move away from the “‘older, tie-dyed, Cheech & Chong, get ridiculously stoned’ style of a previous generation,” in the words of Eater LA. Instead, companies are manifesting classier, more respectable, and more responsible means of cannabis consumption.
With this transition comes better quality cannabis. Eater LA explains that Cloud 11 sources its strawberries from Harry’s Berries in Oxnard, CA, its sea salt from a company in upstate New York, and its sesame paste from a family-owned company in Japan. The founders hope that the combination of quality ingredients, delicious confections, and classy service will continue to entice both regular cannabis users and newbies interested in dipping their toes in the cannabis experience.
Cloud 11 also uses “advanced infusion technology” to ensure that the cannabis added to their modern take on edibles is always precise and consistent so that consumers can know exactly what to expect from the products. The company offers two dosage options to meet consumers’ varying needs. The first option, called “Less,” contains 2 milligrams of THC and 2 milligrams of CBD to make one feel uplifted, relaxed and balanced. The second option, “More,” offers 4 milligrams of THC and 4 milligrams of CBD to create blissful, sociable, and elevated effects.
With the philosophy that “an edible experience should delight the senses,” it’s safe to say Cloud 11 will be a hit among cannabis users both experienced and new. Located in the Los Angeles area? Give this exciting new service a try, and let us know what you think in the comments below.
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