An Okanagan-based catering company is pairing cannabis with fine local food, similar to how many restaurants and catering companies offer wine pairings. 

Stratus Cannabis Catering operates in customers’ homes, so as to offer a safe space for guests to consume cannabis, according to chef Brent Pillon, who co-owns the business with his wife Jenna.

When told of the arrangement, however, the province of B.C. advised caution, pointing out the sale of non-medical cannabis is only permitted by licensed retailers. It recommended anyone wishing to pursue this type of business consult a lawyer.

Pilon said each event starts with getting to know the people they’re cooking for. 

“I’ve a lot of personal experience myself, so that comes into play,” Pillon said. “We also engage with each person individually to find out where their tolerance and comfort is.”

They offer guests cannabis vapour to “set the tone.”

Pillon said they space out cannabis consumption throughout the evening so as not to overwhelm anyone. 

The food doesn’t necessarily taste like cannabis, even though they’ve infused it into their dishes, because they use an unflavoured THC distillate.

“We cook with a lot of beautiful local organic produce and meats and things and let that be the star of a dish,” Pillon said. “Unless there’s a special request to actually infuse [cannabis] flavour in there, we tend to stay away from it.”