A Calgary-based group of entrepreneurs is laying its groundwork for the marijuana edibles market with the help of an executive chef with a medical permit.
They鈥檙e selling handcrafted . For now, reTreat鈥檚 customers have to supply their own cannabis oil if they want a pain-relieving or a psychoactive experience.
The plan is to cultivate a loyal fan base as Ottawa prepares to legalize recreational marijuana in July. reTreat hopes to get its products into dispensaries so they can be sold next to marijuana.
The legal sale of pre-prepared marijuana goodies is not expected to be approved until 2019.
Red Seal Chef John MacNeil鈥檚 medical permit under Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations means he doesn鈥檛 have to wait for legislation to pass in order to start exploring the culinary nuances of marijuana. Armed with a background in gastronomy, he鈥檚 already crafting flavourful recipes for the highly anticipated edibles markets.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a brand new ingredient, and that鈥檚 what a chef always looks for, something special to use,鈥� he told CTV Calgary on Wednesday. 鈥淭here are different compounds that are found inside that can be compared to dark-roasted cocoa. This is where the recipes start to turn into something special.鈥�
. The legal market is expected to be significant in size.
Sylvain Charlebois, dean of management at Dalhousie University and a co-author of a recent study on cannabis-infused foods and Canadian consumers, expects popping a pot snack will become increasingly mainstream as people become more knowledgeable. He also predicts edible marijuana鈥檚 appeal will resonate with health-conscious consumers who may not wish to smoke.
鈥淚 expect cannabis to enable super-foods in the future to help consumers lead healthier lives,鈥� Charlebois said.
, just under half (45.8 per cent) of respondents surveyed, said they are willing to try a cannabis-infused food product, once they are legalized.
Charlebois鈥� findings bear more good news for reTreat. The largest cohort (46.1 per cent) of those who said they would try edible pot also said they would be most likely to reach for a bakery product, like a brownie or muffin.
MacNeil, who is also the executive chef at Calgary鈥檚 The Beltliner restaurant, is looking beyond selling pot brownies. He expects marijuana will emerge as a choice ingredient in professional kitchens as more Canadians embrace its gourmet properties, and the stoner stigma falls by the wayside.
Brendan Bankowski, The Beltliner鈥檚 owner, agrees. He鈥檚 noticed the trend emerging south of the border and sees no reason why it won鈥檛 take hold once Canada lifts its legal hurdles.
鈥淚t鈥檚 being done in other parts of the world, through Colorado and through Washington. They have cannabis-based dinners, and you can pair it with certain foods and wines and make a whole thing out of it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think as a nation we鈥檙e embracing it and Calgary鈥檚 a perfect spot to get this thing rolling.鈥�
With a report from CTV Calgary鈥檚 Alesia Fieldberg
