UK’s first cannabis restaurant to open in Brighton

The UK’s first cannabis infused restaurant will open next month in Brighton, offering diners a vegetarian and vegan menu infused with CBD compounds found in the cannabis plant.

The Canna Kitchen will open in Brighton in December

Commonly known as CBD, CBG and CBN, the compounds used are non-psychoactive and are commonly used for medicinal purposes, while trace elements of THC, (the psychoactive compound found in cannabis), are kept within within legal limits.

The Canna Kitchen will serve dishes such as zaa’tar roast cauliflower with hemp heart tabbouleh, smoked aubergine, sesame cavolo nero and CBD tahini Cream; and buckwheat and beetroot pancake with roast roots, rocket and CBD cashew cheese.

According to their website, they want to “change the way people think about the cannabis plant” by creating vegetarian dishes which are “tastefully complimented with its infusion”.

“Cannabis is a highly nutritious, versatile and powerful herb; it is packed full of flavour, fragrance and natural therapeutic benefit,” it says on its website.

“We at The Canna Kitchen aim to redress dated stereotypes mislabeling this extraordinary natural resource purely as a recreational substance.”

The infusion of cannabinoids, such as CBD, CBG and CBN with food, are optional to diners, who may experience “a sense of relaxation, peace and well-being” if opting for their use.

The Canna Kitchen will open for the public on December 1 and will specialise in vegetarian and vegan food infused with the legal cannabis compound cannabidiol.

Cannabis is a class B drug meaning it it is illegal to possess in the UK, with anyone found with the drug at risk of five years in prison, while supplying it can be punished with a 14-year jail sentence or an unlimited fine.

However, cannabis is legal in the UK if prescribed on the NHS for a chronic medical condition.

Cannabidiol, used by The Canna Kitchen, are from the non-psychoactive part of the plant, which makes their use legal. There are much stricter laws governing the use of THC, the psychoactive component found in cannabis.

While the UK is still highly restrictive of cannabis use, the drug is now legal in 10 American states, and Canada, with a trend for cannabis-infused beverages and good growing.

According to investment bank Cohen & Co in its latest cannabis report, compiled by senior analyst Vivien Azer, the US cannabis industry could be worth US$75 billion (£57bn) by 2030, and the drinks industry are already positioning themselves to take advantage.

Last October, Constellation Brands bought a 9.9% stake in Canadian marijuana company Canopy Growth Corp for £141 million, while last week it was reported that Californian cannabis-focused agriculture company Terra Tech is working to produce a non-alcoholic sparkling wine infused with cannabis called ‘IVXX’.

Last month we reported that Coca-Cola was reportedly in talks with Canadian cannabis producer Aurora to develop drinks infused with CBD. While UK-based Diageo is also keen for a slice of the action and is currently in talks with three different Canadian cannabis producers with the view to developing its own line of CBD-infused drinks.