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Kala Knudslien

Kala Knudslien (1)

Kala graduated from Grant MacEwan University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2012. Since then, she has worked in homecare as a case manager, as a university clinical instructor and as a triage nurse in the emergency room. After obtaining her medical cannabis documents and effectively treating her insomnia and anxiety (with no side effects), she knew she wanted to become an advocate for this plant as medicine and absolutely fell in love with the research. Cannabis gave Kala her life back and she wants to help others experience what she has. As debilitating as her experiences with insomnia were, Kala is forever grateful for them. She was introduced to the incredible healing powers of cannabis, which not only gave her freedom from sleeplessness, but helped launch The Cannabis Nurses + Co.

 What happens when veterans turn to medical cannabis after conventional treatments leave them exhausted, foggy or still unable to sleep? Former Canadian Armed Forces medics Natalie Forcier and Rob Sipes share how PTSD, chronic pain, anxiety, nightmares, and service-related injuries shaped their journeys with medicinal cannabis. Together with cannabis nurse Kala Knudslien, Natalie and Rob discuss administration routes like cannabis gummies, oils, creams, and other non-inhaled products. Then they get into how various cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, CBG, and lower-dose THC, cannabis tolerance effect their individualized care. Natalie also explains how non-intoxicating cannabis topicals can help cautious veterans and first responders reconsider medical cannabis as a pain-management option. The conversation also examines Veterans Affairs Canada cannabis coverage, including the three-gram daily limit, reimbursement reductions and the widening gap between recreational and medical cannabis prices. It raises important questions about access, veteran advocacy and whether commercial interests are influencing Canada’s medical cannabis system. Listen now to hear two veterans speak candidly about PTSD, sleep, pain, cannabis education and the struggle to access the care and benefits they earned through service.