Can I throw cannabis in my salad?

A reader asked us if you could use raw cannabis in a salad. The answer is yes, but why?

If you want to enjoy the effects of marijuana, there is little point in eating it raw.

The effects of marijuana are based on its active ingredients: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG). These three ingredients do not naturally occur in marijuana. They are formed through a chemical process called decarboxylation. The carboxylic acid group dissolves on exposure to light or heat from smoking or baking. This process is called decarboxylation. Without the carboxylic acid group, these three compounds have the potential to induce a therapeutic effect. Only then can THC induce a high.

RELATED: Cannabis Basics: 8 Ways to Enjoy Marijuana Without Smoking it

Photo by Jan Sedivy via Unsplash

Another semi-trend seen online is the marijuana smoothie, another form of raw cannabis consumption. When incorporating raw cannabis into your diet, you need to consider side effects, including allergic reactions, possible ingestion of insecticides and pesticides, and a weakened immune system from possible exposure to pathogens. Consuming raw cannabis is not the best solution for quick symptom relief.

Researchers are interested in raw weed, but the difficulty in studying THCA’s effects lies in its instability. The carboxylic acid group easily detaches from the compound.

For example, researchers have shown that THCA is unstable in ethanol. After 10 days at 25 °C it was only 33%rusted spring of the THCA remained in the ethanol. Losses of THCA also occurred after freezing.

Although researchers point out that there are many potential medical uses for raw weed, they need to ensure its stability to prevent THCA from rapidly converting to THC, resulting in a high.

RELATED: How to Be Discreet When Using Weed

Back to lettuce, we asked a group of people about consuming raw cannabis and only found one consuming it naturally. Brandon in Seattle once had to hide his stash in a hurry, so he ate it and said the taste wasn’t that great. Brandon continued, “With so many hybrids out there now, I’m sure the flavor has improved.” There are things I’ve smoked that would probably taste better.” There are many options, marijuana to consume, both in sweet and savory dishes. A company called DeepCell Industries has developed a cannabis salt that can be used on a salad for a better experience. We recommend exploring these before enjoying it raw.