The Golden Era: A Cannabis Cocktail 

It wasn't easy for Adam Grossman to watch his father suffer from debilitating back pain. As prescription medication provided little relief, Grossman reacted as many caring family members do: He started Googling for help. With Internet research and some ingenuity, Grossman created his first DIY cannabis salve. Weeks later, his father, whom he calls "Papa," was able to get out bed, much to the pleasure of Grossman and Papa's loyal pit bull, Barkley.

Since launching his cannabis product company Papa & Barkley, Grossman has heard countless family stories that parallel Papa's experience. Papa & Barkley delivers cannabis via tinctures and topicals packed with cannabinoids, widely reputed by some to alleviate symptoms from cancer, chronic pain and immunodeficiency disorders. Papa & Barkley is based in Eureka for its close proximity to premium, sun-grown cannabis flowers cultivated on licensed farms throughout the Emerald Triangle.

Tinctures and topicals are a radically new delivery system for Humboldt County's best-known agricultural export. Topicals include salves, ointments or oils rubbed directly onto the skin, intended to ease joint pain, sore muscles, arthritis and inflammation. Topicals with a higher level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can spur some psychoactivity for the consumer, but if strategically applied to avoid contact with major blood veins, the impact is greatly reduced. To skip the high entirely, holistic companies like Papa & Barkley offer products with ramped up levels of cannabidiol (CBD), one of the cannabis plant's naturally occurring compounds. Known for its healing properties, CBD products like Papa & Barkley's 1:30 Tincture are allowing many new consumers to experiment with cannabis while safely in their comfort zones.

Micro-dosing with a tincture looks and feels profoundly different from rolling up a joint, yet the unmistakable smell and taste of cannabis remain unchanged. When experimenting with the wide array of CBD cannabis products available in California's recreational marketplace, many of us need a spoonful of sugar to make the cannabis go down. But tinctures, typically suspended in grain alcohol or oil, are incredibly versatile ingredients for the well-stocked home pantry or bar. While cannabis-infused oils or butter are dependable ingredients for preparing cannabis cuisine, tinctures are ideal for the finishing touch in an infused cocktail.

With a nod toward Humboldt County's green future and the end of an era, this cocktail showcases the old-timey pairing of whiskey and maple, brightened by fresh lemon juice and the grounding herbal flavors of rosemary and cannabis. Whether for health or pleasure, this cocktail is designed for relaxation (and optional healing).

The Golden Era

Ingredients:

2 oz. Bourbon (I'm loyal to Bulleit)

1 oz. fresh lemon juice

1 oz. maple syrup

2 small sprigs rosemary

1 milliliter Papa & Barkley's 1:30 CBD Cannabis Tincture (optional)

Ice

Combine Bourbon, lemon juice, maple syrup and a sprig of rosemary in a cocktail shaker. Muddle like you mean it. Add a few large ice cubes and shake. Strain the drink into a tumbler prepared with crushed ice. Top with a float of 1 dropper (1 milliliter) of CBD tincture and garnish with a sprig of rosemary. Drink to your health.