Cannabis chef brings 'healing' to the dinner table

Thursday, November 17, 2016 by: Vicki Batts
Tags: cannabis, medical marijuana, chef

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(NaturalNews) Despite the federal government's failure to recognize the medicinal properties of the cannabis plant, many people across the country have continued to advocate for the plant's numerous health benefits – and the cannabis industry's huge potential for financial success.

In states where cannabis has become legalized at least for medical uses, a growing number of people are developing profitable businesses revolving around the marijuana plant. Chris Sayegh, 24, is a young chef who has also found his place in the world of cannabis. His company, The Herbal Chef, offers a variety of food services that serve the needs of both recreational and medical cannabis users.

The most popular service offered by the company involves private dinners. People pay upwards of $500 per plate to indulge in Sayegh's expertly crafted dinners – which include 12 to 15 different courses, each infused with cannabis. Sayegh describes the experience of such a thing as "cerebral." While he insists that these dinners provide much more than just a "high," scientists warn that people should participate in these kinds of dinners with caution – presumably to avoid having too much of a good thing.

Cannabis, unlike many other drugs, is considered to be very low-risk. Experts have estimated that a person would have to consume 20,000 to 40,000 times the amount of THC found in a joint in order to be at risk of death. However, some people do experience moderate anxiety or paranoia after consuming too much cannabis – so it is a fair warning.

In spite of these potential negatives, there are also many positives to be had from the marijuana plant. For example, studies show that cannabis users are less likely to be obese, and typically have lower body mass indexes (BMI) than non-users. Some studies have also indicated that marijuana use can help to decrease recovery time and bolster athletic performance. The plant has also actually been shown to improve lung function, and – contrary to what many of us have been led to believe – research shows that it can also kill cancer cells. Estimates suggest that the cannabis plant is over 100 times safer than alcohol.

Sayegh says that the majority of the dinners he creates are hosted in private homes, located in states where medical or recreational marijuana is legalized. He says that he complies with state laws regarding marijuana use, and has his patrons fill out questionnaires regarding their cannabis use and tolerance levels. For example, in states where only medical marijuana is legal, Sayegh requires that his clients have medical marijuana cards.

In addition to being a conscientious law-abiding chef and businessman, Sayegh prides himself on choosing to use organic, locally grown ingredients to craft meals for his clientele. According to the chef, the only commonality among his diners is the search for something new – every dinner is as unique as the people who are attending it. Sayegh says, "I get people fresh out of college; I get people for their anniversary; I get people who are huge into the dab (concentrated cannabis) culture; I get people who are corporate, who just want to have a new experience. ... There is no similarities other than they love good food and they want to try a new experience."

Sayegh, who says he himself has a medical marijuana card, is one of the first people to combine top-tier culinary training and experience with an appreciation for the cannabis plant. And it seems that many people appreciate his efforts.

Sources:

CNN.com

Metro.co.uk

HuffingtonPost.com