From hippies to haute cuisine: how pot food got a makeover

Synopsis:

The article "More Than Munchies: How Eating Pot Went From Crude to 'Elevated' Dining" discusses the transformation of cannabis-infused cuisine from basic, functionally-oriented edibles like pot brownies to sophisticated, high-end culinary experiences. Initially, edibles were mainly about the efficient delivery of THC in a form that could easily be consumed discreetly. Over time, however, there has been a shift towards incorporating cannabis as a legitimate ingredient in gourmet cooking.

Chefs in regions where cannabis is legal are now experimenting with this ingredient to create elaborate tasting menus for private dinners, treating cannabis as a culinary herb that enhances flavor rather than just serving as a vehicle for THC. Shows like Netflix's "Cooking on High" highlight this trend by featuring competitions to create the most appealing cannabis-infused dishes. This movement reflects a broader trend of gentrifying and normalizing cannabis, moving it beyond its recreational drug stereotype to something more akin to a fine dining experience.