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By Cailin Acosta
With the recent legislation of legalizing cannabis use in California, many friends and family have asked how this affects Judaism and health. In addition, with the evolving changes, cannabis is not going anywhere. It is gaining more strength as more states vote to allow medical and recreational usage and is going to eventually be approved federally before we know it.
After many Tifereth Israel Synagogue Sisterhood members approached me on my thoughts (being the youngest on the Sisterhood Board), I started formulating a program, Cannabis 101, to be held at a dispensary.
I wanted a place that was clean, safe, without an overwhelming smell of cannabis. My vision landed me at Buzz Cannabis La Mesa and in conversation with store managers Ty Duong and Lucas Sisneros. Together, we planned an evening to educate on the plant and areas that could offer medicinal help.
Cannabis 101: A Serious Discussion on Holistic Approaches was scheduled in January. The location was packed with 20 Sisterhood members and friends to break the fear of going into a dispensary.
To come into any dispensary in the San Diego area, you must have a valid driver’s license, passport or photo identification to be scanned in. Once all the Sisterhood members were seated, I started the conversation.
I posed the question: Who here in attendance, is coming in for the first time? A few people raised their hands. I then asked if it was scary. People said no, just different. I then read a prepared statement.
According to aish.com, Israel has been leading the world in medical marijuana research since 1964 and more and more Jewish communities are embracing cannabis use. More and more states are voting to make medical and recreational cannabis use legal, so it is just a matter of time before it is federally legal.
In Jewish law, there is a general requirement to observe the civil laws of the land in which one lives when they are not in contradiction with Jewish law. Therefore, in addition to whatever Judaism says about marijuana, Jewish law demands an obedience to the authority of civil law. If it’s illegal to possess or use marijuana, then it is also against Jewish law. Since we live in California, the civil law and Jewish law are both in agreement that it is legal to possess and use marijuana.
From Florida to Oregon, there are many International Jewish Cannabis Associations, these organizations have hosted Cannabis-Seders and the Weed Bar in Los Angeles has organized a number of 420-friendly Havdalah, Shabbat and Chanukah parties. Also in Los Angeles, edible providers like Mitzvah Herbal cater to observant Jews who are looking for medicated goodies using kosher ingredients or are seeking an alternative to smoking on Shabbat.
Here in San Diego, Duong and Sisneros educated the group on all the realms and usages of cannabis, as well as the benefits, and what may help each ailment. It is always advisable to speak to your doctor(s) on the prescribed medications given and if they deem it safe to incorporate cannabis.
Many questions came from the attendees on issues with sleep and arthritis. Duong and Sisneros advised reading the items, so you know exactly what you are buying and by what percentage. They also talked about the difference between “sativa” and “indica” and the explanation on the different strains, topicals, edibles and smoke-ables that are available.
They advised trying some of the samples in a smaller form by cutting them in half or in fourths to not overuse and build from there. The “goodie” bags they provided were built on a full spectrum approach so everyone would get a variety of items to try, such as, CBD gummies, disposable vapes, flower and items in the pure form of resin.
All those in attendance took notes on the items that were given in the “goodie” bags and did some personal shopping as well. All in all, it was a successful evening.
To learn more about Buzz Cannabis, visit https://buzzcannabis.com.
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