The Rural Voice, 2019-07, Page 23a lengthier time period. Given that
the process is highly aromatic and
cannabis’s pervasive ‘skunk’ can be
persistent, Newton heads outside.
There, he heats the flower he has
broken apart inside a covered pot at
240 degrees Fahrenheit for 30
minutes. He then adds the resultant
decarboxylated flower to extra-virgin
coconut oil (high in saturated fat
which binds well with the resin)
inside a crock pot, on low, stirring
frequently. He removes flower
particles by straining the resultant
mixture through cheesecloth and
again through a reusable coffee filter
with a fine wire mesh (“Any little
bits of leaf aren’t going to hurt you”)
leaving cannabis-infused coconut oil.
After letting the infused oil cool,
he utilizes a magnetic stirrer to
ensure uniform consistency, prior to
filling capsules he purchases at a
health food store with disposable
three-millimetre pipettes. Newton
creates two options: a pure ten-drop
(0.25 ML) capsule plus a larger
version containing cannabis-infused
coconut oil combined with a recipe
featuring matcha, kale, spirulina,
barley grass, wheatgrass, chlorella,
peppermint, acai berry, goji berry,
maca root, ginkgo bilboa and an
organic fruit and vegetable blend.
“And then, like any other
medication, it’s put away and locked
up.”
As a parent, he is focussed on
education, particularly cannabis’s
reported effects on young minds.
“I wouldn’t want my kids high
every day; it’s no different than being
drunk every day. You know they are
going to try it, I just try and educate
them on being responsible. When
that day comes and they make that
decision, I want them to make smart
choices.”
Newton’s capsules’ effects
emerge roughly an hour-and-
a-half after ingestion, lasting
around five hours. The broad strokes
of their creation are comparatively
straightforward compared to the
exhaustive trial and error required to
establish optimal individual blend
efficacy through micro-dosing.
“So there is relief, but you’re not
spending your day high.”
Newton maintained meticulous
records throughout the process, going
in low, so to speak, then gradually
moving upward in dosage before
levelling off, backing down and
making final adjustments. Currently,
his capsules contain a blended 50/50
THC/CBD kush, 90 per cent indica
THC strain and his own pure CBD
variety, mixed at a rate of one ounce
of dried flower per cup of coconut
oil.
Intentionally, the capsules are low
dosage, simply taking more as
required.
“You have to take the time and do
the research,” Newton said of the
process, noting frustration can
develop when things don’t
immediately work. “There’s a lot of
people who throw in the towel right
then and there.”
The Ontario Cannabis Store
features wide Health Canada-
approved variety, including
CDB blended or dominant options.
But apart from the satisfaction of
successfully figuring things out on
his own, Newton and his friend
appreciate knowing exactly what has
gone into Newton’s capsules, and
precisely how they were created.
“You have complete control over
your own medicine – how great is
that?” Newton asked rhetorically.
The bottom line, however, is that
the cannabis has proven effective,
providing relief where other more
traditional options failed.
“There were days I couldn’t get
out of bed,” said Newton’s friend.
“But once I take one of his pills, I
can move and walk. It didn’t take
away all the pain, but it was enough,
it was tolerable.”
“And you weren’t in any opioid
zombie state,” Newton added. “You
could function.”
In conclusion, he does not see a
cannabis plant as an aromatic
magical wand. Rather he says it
offers potential for a variety of
medical conditions given individual
blend, preparation and dosage.
“Thousands of people can’t be
wrong when they say they use
cannabis for different purposes and it
helps them,” Newton summed up. “It
all depends on the person. It’s an
amazing plant which can help people
in so many ways.” ◊
July 2019 19
Specializing in Grey & Bruce country
properties and farms.
3 iGuide Technology
3 Aerial photography with drone
3 Member of The Farm Team
3 Large online and print presence
Steacy Den Haan & Scott Crowther
Sales Representatives I Advantage Royal Group
steacy@advantageroyalgroup.com
scott@advantageroyalgroup.com
www.steacydenhaan.ca
www.scottcrowther.com
Steacy CELL: 226-668-3242
Scott CELL: 519-379-7192