Cannabis-Infused Passover
Cannabis seders are just one of many new ways the Jewish faith has intersected with cannabis culture. Some places now offer medical cannabis with Kosher certification, while “Pot Shabbat” dinners have gained popularity in legal states like California and Colorado. Others have embraced cannabis in the actual event of the seder, and some have simply infused the cuisine. Whatever way works best for you and your event, there is a way to infuse cannabis into it, without harming the goals of seder or messing with traditions.
The goal of hosting a cannabis seder is to provide a familiar and fun venue to have a new, often-uncomfortable conversations about cannabis prohibition, race and justice. Passover is a perfect time for these conversations because the story of mass incarceration and the oppressions of prohibition parallel the Exodus story involved in the Passover celebration and the seder dinner. Cannabis on the seder plate is a natural addition: Marror, or “bitter herbs,” are already eaten on Passover in keeping with the biblical commandment in Exodus 12:8 (“with bitter herbs they shall eat it”).
Now, if you love to celebrate with food, we have some great options for you to try infusing into your seder—just make sure you warn your guests that these are infused, and pay attention to measurements. Mazel tov!
Cannabis-Infused Matzo Ball Soup
In your contemporary matzo ball soup, consider using cannabis-infused olive oil with regular olive oil to make your matzo balls.
Matzo Ball Ingredients:
1 cup matzo meal
2 teaspoons baking powder
Salt and pepper
4 eggs
1 tablespoon cannabis-infused olive oil, plus 3 tablespoons light olive oil
4 tablespoons seltzer or soda water
Instructions:
In a medium bowl, mix matzo meal, baking powder, salt and pepper and set aside. In another bowl, whisk eggs with cannabis-infused olive oil and light olive oil mixture with the seltzer or soda water. Combine both bowls and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to add to soup.
Here are suggestions on other ways to infuse cannabis into your seder dinner:
Canna-Brisket
When making your brisket for Passover, you can add a twinge of fun by adding just 2 tablespoons of cannabis-infused olive oil to your seasoning, for every 4-5 pounds of meat.
Cannabis Gefilte Fish
If you’re making gefilte fish from scratch, try including 1 teaspoon of light cannabis-infused olive oil for every 2 pounds of whitefish, carp or salmon.
Infused Kugel
When prepping the kugel for the oven, consider replacing just 1 tablespoon of your regular butter or olive oil with a cannabis-infused olive oil or canna butter.
Canna-Challah Bread
For any dessert you’re making for seder, consider utilizing 1 tablespoon of canna-coconut oil for every 3 tablespoons of regular extra virgin coconut oil.
Canna-Latkes
If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you may consider adding latkes to your seder. Although latkes are traditionally a Hanukkah treat, it’s easy to sub in some canna butter for regular butter; try frying the latkes in an oil mixture that has just 1 tablespoon of cannabis-infused oil in it.
