Episodes
E181 - 2 - Why Veterans Turn to Medical Cannabis
What happens when the medical cannabis system veterans depend on becomes more expensive, less accessible, and increasingly disconnected from their needs? In Part 2 of this candid conversation, veterans Rob Sipes and Natalie Forcier—joined by cannabis nurse Kala Knudslien—explore how education, professional guidance, and intentional cannabis use can help veterans manage PTSD-related sleep disturbances, chronic pain, and inflammation. Rob shares how he incorporates CBD, THC edibles, and topical cannabis into a carefully structured routine while living with serious medical challenges, including hemodialysis, neuropathy, two lung conditions, oxygen therapy, and a complex medication regimen. His experience reinforces one of the episode’s most important messages: veterans using medical cannabis, especially alongside multiple prescription medications, benefit from individualized assessment, ongoing follow-up, and knowledgeable healthcare support. The conversation also examines Veterans Affairs Canada cannabis reimbursement limits, the potential relationship between medical cannabis, and polypharmacy, and the widening gap between Canada’s medical and recreational cannabis markets. As recreational producers increasingly prioritize high-THC products, Kirk and Trevor ask whether veterans and other medical patients are losing access to consistent CBD-rich formulations, balanced cannabinoid products, and the clinical guidance needed to use them safely and effectively. This episode is a thoughtful, human look at medical cannabis for veterans—and a warning about what could be lost if Canada’s medical cannabis system continues to shrink. Listen now to hear Rob and Natalie’s stories and learn why cannabis education, professional support and reliable access remain essential parts of veteran care.
E181- 1 - Why Veterans Turn to Medical Cannabis
E180 - 2 - The NFL’s Cannabis Study - Patrick Neary PhD
E180 - 1 - The NFL’s Cannabis Study - Patrick Neary PhD
Can cannabinoids change the future of concussion care in contact sports? Kirk follows up with Patrick Neary, PhD, from the University of Regina, to see how his NFL-funded research into CBD, concussions, pain management, and athlete health is going now that the study has moved from planning to execution. Recorded on 4/20, let's dive in: can CBD help reduce concussion risk, support brain recovery, and offer athletes an alternative to opioids? Dr. Neary explains the first phase of his research: a CBD dose-escalation safety study in athletes, including very high daily doses, brain blood-flow testing, cardiovascular monitoring, pharmacokinetics, biomarkers, and side-effect tracking. The episode also previews two related studies: a double-blind placebo-controlled concussion study and an upcoming pain study comparing THC, CBD, full-spectrum cannabinoids, and placebo. Listen now to learn how a multidisciplinary Canadian research team is studying cannabis, neuroprotection, inflammation, chronic pain, and the future of sports medicine.
E179 - 2 - The Fight for Medical Cannabis Access in Canada - Ted Smith
E179 - 1 - The Fight for Medical Cannabis Access in Canada - Ted Smith
What happens when a cannabis compassion club gets raided again despite previous Supreme Court decisions on their side, fervent public support, and years after cannabis legalization? Kirk visits Ted Smith at the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club (VCBC) just days after its latest raid. Ted discusses ongoing legal challenges, compassionate access, Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), cannabis harm reduction, pharmacist-led patient screening, CBD drug interactions, and the future of medical cannabis in Canada. This is a thought-provoking conversation about patient care, cannabis policy, and why some Canadians still struggle to access the products they need. Listen now to learn how advocacy, healthcare, and cannabis policy continue to collide in post-legalization Canada.
E178 - EV27 - Why Cannabis Research Is Still Broken in Canada - Lauren Kelly PhD
E177 - EV26 - Cannabis and Kids: Separating Medical Evidence from Myths with Lauren Kelly PhD
Can medical cannabis help children—and what does the evidence actually show? Pediatric pharmacologist, Dr. Lauren Kelly, joins Trevor and Kirk to discuss medical cannabis in children. This wide ranging conversation includes discussion about epilepsy, autism, pediatric oncology, and the unique challenges of studying cannabinoids during development. Learn what researchers know about CBD, THC & kids, why evidence remains relatively limited, and how stigma, policy, and education continue to affect patient care. Listen now for an evidence-based discussion on pediatric cannabis research, safety, and the future of cannabinoid medicine for children.