Article: Green Dragon

This article is about the beverage. For the inn from Tolkien's fictional world of Middle-earth, see Green Dragon (Middle-earth).

Green Dragon is an alcoholic beverage made from cannabis (leaves and stems) and a high percentage alcohol. Consuming this beverage produces effects similar to those felt when smoking cannabis and drinking alcohol (the cannabis like effects tend to be more intense and of longer duration compared to smoking). People should not operate machinery or drive after consuming Green Dragon.

Preparation

Green Dragon is prepared by soaking cannabis in a high percentage spirit (brands such as Everclear 95% (available in the US) or Alcool 94% (available in Quebec, Canada at SAQ) are known to be most effective). The active chemical in cannabis (THC) is soluble in ethanol, and is leached from the cannabis into the alcohol.

The solution is generally left standing for several weeks before a significant amount of THC is absorbed by the alcohol. The leaching process, and the corresponding absorption process, are slow and ongoing, and the rate of reaction may be accelerated by heating the solution. The leaching process also changes the color of the solution (Everclear and Alcool are clear and colorless) to green, hence the name Green Dragon.

A decision must be made as to whether to leave the cannabis in or to separate it from the solution. By leaving the cannabis in the bottle the leaching reaction will continue while the bottle is consumed making the solution more potent as time passes. Removing the leaves from bottle produces a nicer looking solution.

Internet message boards recommend for best results minimum 14 grams (1/2 ounce) of cannabis per 750 mL (26 fluid ounces) of spirits (the required volume of cannabis varies with cannabis potency and desired strength for the green dragon beverage).

It is worth noting that green dragon must be stored in an air-sealable container to prevent evaporation and must be kept out of direct sun light to prevent the breakdown of the THC. Other typical strength alcohols (40% alcohol by volume) such as vodka or rum may be used in place of Everclear; however, a higher percentage alcohol solution is much more effective at extracting active chemicals from cannabis.

To significantly increase the strength of the extract, THCA (non-psychoactive) can be converted into THC by a process known as decarboxylation. This can be achieved by microwaving the dry weed for 2 minutes on high or by baking in an oven for 15 minutes at 150 deg F.

• [1] Video clip of creating Pot Tea & Green Dragon.

• [2] Advice for decarboxylation.

• [3] Scientific info on THCA. [ctrl]+ [F] and search for "THCA"

• [4] Contains photos and various methods.

Consumption

Green Dragon is enjoyed as an alternative to smoking cannabis and mixes well with Gatorade.

Green Dragon can be boiled down to a thick liquid and poured over cannabis to increase its psychotropic effects.

Other Green Dragon references

There is also a cocktail known as Green Dragon, made from kummel, green Creme de Menthe and gin. Unlike the Green Dragon mentioned above, this one is legal in most countries.

The Green Dragon is also a popular name for public houses in England and Wales. Examples in England can be found in the towns of Bungay and Cheshunt, and in the village of Brook near Lyndhurst.

During the Cold War, "Green Dragon" was the nickname of the poisonous experimental rocket fuel pentaborane, which burned with a green flame. It would have been the most powerful fuel of all, but it was too dangerous to use.

Green Dragon is also the name of a non-alcoholic herbal soft drink produced by the Santa Monica, CA-based company SodaLixir Herbal Beverages. Green Dragon is coined by its producers as a 'relaxing and stress-relieving soda', and contains 13 different Chinese herbs in a brewed ginger soda. Five of the herbs in the formula have been shown to lower blood pressure, while three others regulate blood sugar, producing the relaxed sensation.

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