Dispense Magazine podcast

Dispense Magazine seeks to support and enhance the conversation that takes place between patient and physician about medical cannabis. Anything you discuss with your doctor -- that's what we'll discuss on this podcast. Although we are based in and focused on Pennsylvania's industry, much of the information is universal.

The PA Flower Shortage - Growing Pains or Structural Problems? 01/03/2020

The PA Flower Shortage - Growing Pains or Structural Problems? Medical cannabis patients in Pennsylvania are experiencing a severe shortage at the state’s legal dispensaries. Many people are angry, many are quite vocal about who is to blame for these shortages. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/12608789

Helping Veterans Find Balance 12/13/2019

Helping Veterans Find Balance In this episode, we talk with Ron Millward, founder of Balanced Veterans, a Philadelphia based 501-3-C. Ron saw a need for more cannabis education within many Vets organizations. He also built a network of like-minded medical professionals that provide wellness services for vets in need. And while cannabis is a large part of the healing path for many Vets, Ron says that healthy community, conversation, and holistic healing practices are vital to living a truly balanced life. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/12393044

Mental Health and Medical Cannabis 11/20/2019

Mental Health and Medical Cannabis How can we reduce the dual stigmas around mental health and cannabis? What do patients need to do to begin that getting treatment? In this episode, we bring you a panel discussion from a recent Mind Body expo that explores these questions is some depth. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/12112862

The History of Medical Cannabis from Ancient Times to 1937 to Today 11/01/2019

The History of Medical Cannabis from Ancient Times to 1937 to Today Most patients want to know why cannabis is illegal, while most doctors want to know it's not taught in medical school. So says Dr. Paloma Lehfeldt, Medical Science and Patient Liaison for Vireo Health, a physician-led company that works hard to educate patients and physicians. That's why they just launched a new cannabis brand called 1937, named for the year that cannabis prohibition started in America. In this episode, we talk about that new brand and the history of cannabis as medicine. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/11868035

Keeping a Focus on Patient Safety 10/24/2019

Keeping a Focus on Patient Safety Many growers can grow, cure and process the plant, but what does it take to make good medicine? To make sure it's safe? We’ll ask Dr. Corey Burchman, the CMO for Acreage Holdings, the parent company of Prime Wellness of PA, which has a grower/processor permit in PA. He explains why he believes all claims about cannabis should be backed by solid research. Full of fascinating insights about the science and current research on cannabis and the endocannabinoid system, this is for patients and physicians. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/11774447

Inside SB 350, PA's Adult-Use Bill 10/24/2019

Inside SB 350, PA's Adult-Use Bill Sen. Daylin Leach was a co-author of Act 16, which legalized Medical Marijuana in Pennsylvania in 2016. Now he's a co-author of Senate Bill 350, which would legalize growing, processing, transporting, and consuming cannabis in the state of Pennsylvania. It's getting high praise as an all-encompassing bill that would address the most important issues around legalization. In this episode, host Sven Hosford and Dispense Magazine CEO Phelan Barreiro talk to Sen. Daylin Leach about those issues. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/11773724

How to Run a Patient-Focused Dispensary 10/21/2019

How to Run a Patient-Focused Dispensary In this inspiring podcast, we talk with Victor Guadagnino, Manager and co-founder of Keystone Canna Remedies. He and his aunt Joan have created a model for how to run a Patient-focused Dispensary -- one which provides equal doses of education and empowerment for patients and physicians. Kristal Oknefski, the Editor in Chief of Dispense Magazine, assists in the questioning. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/11730833

The State of PA's Medical Cannabis Program 10/01/2019

The State of PA's Medical Cannabis Program Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is a loud clear voice for legalization, a voice he earned by listening to over 10,000 people on his 67-county tour of the commonwealth. But how does he feel about MEDICAL cannabis? Over 200 thousand patients have already signed up and almost 12 hundred physicians are signing recommendations. What happens to this program after adult-use becomes legal? In this episode, we’ll hear directly from the Lt Governor -- passionate, emphatic -- dare we say unfettered? /episode/index/show/dispense/id/11472938

Veteran Profile: Erik Asher - Power of the (Rosin) Press 09/17/2019

Veteran Profile: Erik Asher - Power of the (Rosin) Press In this episode, we talk with Erik Asher, a veteran of Desert Storm, who survived the darkest night of the soul to become a fierce proponent for medical cannabis. Now on a fixed income, he has learned how to triple the yield of the dry flower he purchases in authorized Pennsylvania dispensaries with the help of a rosin press. This is a powerful story of survival, which includes some great tips for medical cannabis patients. Recorded in March 2019. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/11285354

Anxiety is a Qualifying Condition in PA 08/29/2019

Anxiety is a Qualifying Condition in PA As of July 20, 2019, the Pennsylvania Dept of Health now includes anxiety to the list of qualifying conditions for patients to be able to use medical cannabis. But what exactly does it mean to have anxiety? We all get anxious from time to time. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/11043383

Behind the scenes at Prime Wellness of PA 07/23/2019

Behind the scenes at Prime Wellness of PA The legal Medical Cannabis produced in Pennsylvania is getting great reviews, and the medicine produced at Prime Wellness of PA is getting some of the highest marks. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/10627289

Discovering the Soul of Cannabis 06/18/2019

Discovering the Soul of Cannabis Soulful Cannabis is a Philedelphia based organizaiton working to keep all aspects of the industry focused on the right things. They call themselves a collective to make a good industry better. Using thought-provoking events and other third-party tools, they monitor the Social Equity of cannabis, which is a big picture view of the community impact, opportunity, diversity, patient advocacy, and social justice issues. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/10198184

Cannabis as The Exit Drug 06/12/2019

Cannabis as The Exit Drug Rather than a Gateway Drug, Cannabis is quickly becoming the Exit drug as more people like Felicia Greenfield-Blau encourage patients to use it along with well established holistic therapies. She’s part of a natural convergence of the holistic and cannabis worlds, which is why she's on the cover of our Spring Issue! In this interview she explains her therapies and philosophies, and how cannabis has been such an important part of an opioid reduction program. She offers this therapy model at multiple locations of Reboot Integrative Wellness Center in the Philadelphia area. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/10133555

Protecting the Medical Program When Adult Use is Legal 05/21/2019

Protecting the Medical Program When Adult Use is Legal In this episode, we continue our discussion about what happens to the medical program when the recreational adult use of cannabis is legalized. We talk to PA State Senator Shariff Street, author of SB-350, an adult use bill currently being debated in the State Senate. How will legalization affect the medical industry? Can current patients be assured that their medicine will still be available? These questions and more are answered by Sen. Street. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/9865004

Recreational vs. Medicinal: A Panel Discussion 04/26/2019

Recreational vs. Medicinal: A Panel Discussion In this episode, we get to hear from his wife, the Second Lady of PA Gisele Fetterman, about her thoughts on what happens to the medical cannabis program in Pennsylvania once adult use is legalized. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/9543095

The Entourage Effect and Why Physicians Make Better Medicine 04/24/2019

The Entourage Effect and Why Physicians Make Better Medicine This podcast series is focused on what you and your doctor might talk about, and in this episode, we talk with just such a doctor. Dr. Stephen Dahmer is a practicing physician and also happens to be the Chief Medical Officer of Vireo Health. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/9513011

How Safe Are Your CBD Products? 02/18/2019

How Safe Are Your CBD Products? The International Research Center on Cannabis and Mental Health (IRCCMH), along with the Cannabis Chemistry Subdivision of the American Chemical Society, recently released a report about the safety of unregulated CBD vape products commonly found in gas stations and health food stores. Dispense Magazine publisher Sven Hosford talked to the report’s authors, Jahan Marcu and Jan Roberts, to get all the details. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/8689469

Integrating Cannabis and Holistic Medicine 12/27/2018

Integrating Cannabis and Holistic Medicine Recorded before a lively audience with a great discussion on functional medicine, this podcast covers the building blocks of good health, the role of cannabis in healing, and how both work to get to the root cause of disease rather than just treating the symptoms. We also hear how the principles of holistic healing are incorporated into the operating principles of a medical cannabis dispensary. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/7667141

Medical Marijuana and PTSD 12/07/2018

Medical Marijuana and PTSD Solevo Wellness, Pittsburgh’s first medical marijuana dispensary, and Dispense Magazine team up for this series of podcasts called Cannabis Conversations. Recorded live in front of an audience every month, these conversations discuss various aspects of medical marijuana with a panel of medical professionals and Solevo Wellness staff. In this episode, we'll talk to a mental health professional, a combat Veteran, and two members of the Solevo Staff. The topic is PTSD -- what causes it, what are the symptoms, and what are the effective treatments. Specifically, we hear about the challenges to find just the right medicine for those who are suffering. The panel this time is mental health expert Sara Makin, of Makin Wellness, a combat veteran named John who wishes to stay anonymous, plus Pharmacist Amy Scott and Patient education director Zack Kesneck, both with Solevo Wellness. Recorded live in front of an audience on Nov. 29th, 2018. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/7836626

Medical Marijuana and Pediatric Medicine - Part TWO 12/03/2018

Medical Marijuana and Pediatric Medicine - Part TWO Solevo Wellness, Pittsburgh’s first medical marijuana dispensary, and Dispense Magazine team up for this series of podcasts called Cannabis Conversations. Recorded live in front of an audience every month, these conversations discuss various aspects of medical marijuana with a panel of medical professionals and Solevo Wellness staff. In this episode, we'll talk to: Annie Corbin - the Solevo Wellness Director of Pediatric Care and a Patient Care Consultant. Annie works closely with patients to help them select the best medical marijuana strains and ratios based upon their physician’s recommendations and their unique situations. Annie has worked hands-on with both plants and patients in Colorado as both a grower and patient consultant. Annie suffers from epilepsy. She also assists her daughter, who has a rare brain condition and epilepsy, to help her have the best quality of life through the administration of this medication. Richard Greer - Pharmacy Director at Solevo Wellness. He completed his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree at Duquesne University, where he served as class president for 4 years, sat on numerous student advisory committees, and was a member of the prestigious Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity. He is licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of State to practice pharmacy and is a certified medical marijuana practitioner through the PA Department of Health. And we'll hear some final audience questions for all our panelists. This is part TWO of this conversation on Pediatric Medicine. Recorded live on Oct. 20, 2018, at Solevo Wellness. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/7733468

Medical Marijuana and Pediatric Medicine - Part ONE 11/29/2018

Medical Marijuana and Pediatric Medicine - Part ONE Solevo Wellness, Pittsburgh’s first medical marijuana dispensary, and Dispense Magazine team up for this series of podcasts called Cannabis Conversations. Recorded live in front of an audience every month, these conversations discuss various aspects of medical marijuana with a panel of medical professionals and Solevo Wellness staff. In this episode, we'll talk to two Pediatricians using Medical Marijuana in the Pittsburgh area. Dr. Elizabeth Spaar is a PA Medical Marijuana Certified Physician. As a physician treating autism and PTSD, Dr. Spaar had seen the amazing benefits of medical marijuana even before the dispensaries opened in Pennsylvania through her participation in the Safe Harbor program. Two of her own children currently take medical marijuana for autism and have benefited greatly. She is passionate about providing access to this crucial medicine to all patients with qualifying conditions. Dr. Kultar Shergill is a board-certified pediatrician who trained in London, England. He has been serving the Alle Kiski community for 18 years. As well as general pediatrics, he treats children for behavioral issues, ADHD, autism, epilepsy and asthma. Dr. Shergill is a Certified PA Medical Marijuana Physician. This is part ONE of this conversation on Pediatric Medicine. Recorded live on Oct. 20, 2018, at Solevo Wellness. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/7732229

Pain Management and Opioid Addiction - Part THREE 10/18/2018

Pain Management and Opioid Addiction - Part THREE Solevo Wellness, Pittsburgh’s first medical marijuana dispensary, and Dispense Magazine team up for this series of podcasts called Cannabis Conversations. Recorded live in front of an audience every month, these conversations discuss various aspects of medical marijuana with a panel of medical professionals and Solevo Wellness staff. In this episode, Solevo Wellness Pharmacist Richard Greer talks about his experience using cannabis to treat Pain Management and Opioid Addiction. This is part THREE of a conversation on Pain Management and Opioids. Richard discusses exactly what dispensary pharmacists can and cannot do as advisors about your situation, and why it is important to be an active participant in your medication decisions. We also finish up the questioning with the other panel participants, Dr. John Metcalf and Daniel Johnson. Recorded live on Sept 24, 2018, at Solevo Wellness. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/7217372

Pain Management and Opioid Addiction - Part TWO 10/18/2018

Pain Management and Opioid Addiction - Part TWO Solevo Wellness, Pittsburgh’s first medical marijuana dispensary, and Dispense Magazine team up for this series of podcasts called Cannabis Conversations. Recorded live in front of an audience every month, these conversations discuss various aspects of medical marijuana with a panel of medical professionals and Solevo Wellness staff. In this episode, Daniel Johnson gives us an overview of how Chinese Medicine treats pain in part TWO of a conversation on Pain Management and Opioids. Daniel Johnson is a Doctor of Medical QiGong and is the Clinical Director of the WAY Wellness Center. He has studied in the US and China, an expert in mind-body studies, a certified yoga instructor, and a certified Tea Master. He uses acupuncture, bodywork, herbal medicine, nutritional therapy, and Qigong to enhance the effects of cannabis to empower and heal his clients. Recorded live on Sept 24, 2018, at Solevo Wellness. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/7217348

Pain Management and Opioid Addiction - Part ONE 10/17/2018

Pain Management and Opioid Addiction - Part ONE Solevo Wellness, Pittsburgh’s first medical marijuana dispensary, and Dispense Magazine team up for this series of podcasts called Cannabis Conversations. Recorded live in front of an audience every month, these conversations discuss various aspects of medical marijuana with a panel of medical professionals and Solevo Wellness staff. In this episode, Dr. John Metcalf gives us some startling statistics about addiction in part ONE of a conversation on Pain Management and Opioids. Dr. Metcalf is the Medical Director of ReLeaf Specialists. Along with his expertise in functional and internal medicine, he has researched the biochemistry of cannabis and its effects on the nervous, immune and endocannabinoid systems. He is certified in Pennsylvania to recommend patients for medical marijuana. Recorded live on Sept 24, 2018, at Solevo Wellness. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/7217324

Cannabis and Mental Health - PART TWO 10/11/2018

Cannabis and Mental Health - PART TWO At a recent Dispense with the Nonsense event in Harmony PA, we recorded a panel discussion with a live audience on the topic of "Cannabis and Mental Health". Panelists included: Dr. John Metcalf, Ph.D., MD, ABIM, CFMP, Medical Director of ReLeaf Specialists - Along with his specialization in functional and regenerative medicine, Dr. Metcalf has researched the biochemistry of cannabis and its effects on the nervous, immune and endocannabinoid systems. He is certified in Pennsylvania to recommend patients for medical marijuana. Sara Makin, M.S.Ed.,LPC, NCC, is a #1 Best Selling Author of From Depression To Joy: A Parent's Handbook For Teenage Wellness. She is also the owner of Makin Wellness, Pittsburgh's premier therapy and coaching centers located in Downtown, Pittsburgh & New Kensington. She can diagnose and treat PTSD, opioid addiction and other mental health conditions with a variety of evidence-based modalities. Diana Hileman Briggs, a founding member of Campaign 4 Compassion, an organization key to PA winning the fight for legalization. She is the founder of PA Compassionate Caregivers, an organization to support Medical Cannabis Caregivers and those they serve. Host: Sven Hosford, Publisher of Dispense Magazine. In PART TWO, we hear from Diana Hileman Briggs on being a Caregiver. Once she and her fellow "mama bears" convinced Pennsylvania's legislature to pass the legalization bill, she thought her job was over, but she describes the patient that inspired her to start PA Compassionate Caregivers. Recorded at the Center of Harmony in Harmony PA on Sept 15, 2018 /episode/index/show/dispense/id/7153844

Cannabis and Mental Health - PART ONE 10/09/2018

Cannabis and Mental Health - PART ONE At a recent Dispense with the Nonsense event in Harmony PA, we recorded a panel discussion with a live audience on the topic of "Cannabis and Mental Health". Panelists included: Dr. John Metcalf, Ph.D., MD, ABIM, CFMP, Medical Director of ReLeaf Specialists - Along with his specialization in functional and regenerative medicine, Dr. Metcalf has researched the biochemistry of cannabis and its effects on the nervous, immune and endocannabinoid systems. He is certified in Pennsylvania to recommend patients for medical marijuana. Sara Makin, M.S.Ed.,LPC, NCC, is a #1 Best Selling Author of From Depression To Joy: A Parent's Handbook For Teenage Wellness. She is also the owner of Makin Wellness, Pittsburgh's premier therapy and coaching centers located in Downtown, Pittsburgh & New Kensington. She can diagnose and treat PTSD, opioid addiction and other mental health conditions with a variety of evidence-based modalities. Diana Hileman Briggs, a founding member of Campaign 4 Compassion, an organization key to PA winning the fight for legalization. She is the founder of PA Compassionate Caregivers, an organization to support Medical Cannabis Caregivers and those they serve. Host: Sven Hosford, Publisher of Dispense Magazine. In PART ONE, we hear from Dr. Metcalf and Sara Makin on trauma, anxiety, depression and what is know about medical cannabis's ability to heal or possibly exacerbate those conditions. Recorded at the Center of Harmony in Harmony PA on Sept 15, 2018 /episode/index/show/dispense/id/7146952

Medical Marijuana for First-Time Users PART THREE 09/29/2018

Medical Marijuana for First-Time Users PART THREE Solevo Wellness, Pittsburgh’s first medical marijuana dispensary, and Dispense Magazine team up for a new series of podcasts called Cannabis Conversations. Recorded live in front of an audience every month, these conversations are with a medical doctor and a holistic health professional to cover a topic from all angles. In this premiere conversation, Dr. Adam Rothschild and holistic practitioner Mandi Babkes wind up their discussion on “Medical Marijuana for First-Time Users”. In part three, we discuss things users should know as you gain experience using medical marijuana — the endocannabinoid system, theories about cannabinoid deficiency and whether medical marijuana only treats symptoms or can it actually be a cure of some conditions This is the third and final part of a conversation recorded August 30, 2018, at Solevo Wellness. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/7106699

Medical Marijuana for First-Time Users, Part TWO 09/27/2018

Medical Marijuana for First-Time Users, Part TWO Solevo Wellness, Pittsburgh’s first medical marijuana dispensary, and Dispense Magazine team up for a new series of podcasts called Cannabis Conversations. Recorded live in front of an audience every month, these conversations are with a medical doctor and a holistic health professional to cover a topic from all angles. In this premiere conversation, Dr. Adam Rothschild and holistic practitioner Mandi Babkes continue their discussion on “Medical Marijuana for First-Time Users”. In part two, we dive deeper into some things every user should know. This includes the safety of safe vaping and smoking, and the various ways to adjust your dosage. This is part two of a conversation recorded August 30, 2018 atSolevo Wellness. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/7099636

Medical Marijuana for First-Time Users, Part One 09/20/2018

Medical Marijuana for First-Time Users, Part One Solevo Wellness, Pittsburgh's first medical marijuana dispensary, and Dispense Magazine team up for a new series of podcasts called Cannabis Conversations. Recorded live in front of an audience every month, these conversations are with a medical doctor and a holistic health professional to cover a topic from all angles. In this premier episode, Dr. Adam Rothschild and holistic practitioner Mandi Babkes discuss "Medical Marijuana for First-Time Users." From delivery systems to dosages to THC vs CBD, we discuss all the basics that every user should know, but many beginners don't. This is part one of this conversation, recorded August 30, 2018. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/7066127

Sara Makin on Trauma, PTSD and Cannabis 09/06/2018

Sara Makin on Trauma, PTSD and Cannabis Over 70 percent of Americans will experience a traumatic event in their lifetime, and 20 percent will develop some form of PTSD because of it. So says, Sara Makin, a mental health specialist with offices in Pittsburgh and New Kensington. She uses the a variety of new methods -- including medical cannabis -- to treat PTSD, addiction and other mental health issues. A PTSD diagnosis from her can help get you certified when you meet with a certifying physician, but that is only the start of the healing work she can do. She recently sat down with us to discuss trauma, PTSD and cannabis. /episode/index/show/dispense/id/7014630

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