Enhance Your Life Podcast
Discover the inspiring stories of people whose lives have been enhanced by cannabis. Brought to you by Wana Brands, the #1 infused brand in North America, each episode features interviews with cannabis enthusiasts of all walks of life—athletes and artists; chefs and CEOs—who have first-hand experience with the healing power of the plant. Hosted by journalist Jonathan Small.
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Meet the First Black Woman to Receive a Medical Marijuana License
08/31/2022
Meet the First Black Woman to Receive a Medical Marijuana License
In 2015, Dr. Chanda Macias became the African-American woman to receive a medical marijuana license. And her advocacy for the plant hasn’t stopped. Dr. Chanda is CEO of medical marijuana dispensary Natural Holistic Healing Center, first vice chair of lobbying group National Cannabis Roundtable, and CEO of cannabis educational platform Women Grow. In this episode, the cannabis superstar explains why she’s so passionate about the plant, and what her experience has been like advocating for cannabis in places like the White House. She also talks about the special role minority figures have in the industry and where the country is as far as national legalization.
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From Cancer Patient to Cannabis Mogul
08/24/2022
From Cancer Patient to Cannabis Mogul
Marianne Cursetjee wasn’t very familiar with cannabis before her cancer diagnosis. But after she was diagnosed in 2015, her friend introduced her to Rick Simpson Oil (RSO)—and she found she was able to eliminate many of the pharmaceutical drugs she was taking in response to her cancer treatment’s side effects. Now she serves as the CEO and co-founder of Alibi Cannabis, a self-funded, top-shelf cannabis company based in Oregon. On the pod, Maryanne talks about her eye-opening experience of using cannabis to help with cancer treatment and what advice she’d give to cancer patients considering cannabis. Marianne also talks about using her business skills to enter the cannabis industry, and how her business is adapting to the increasingly competitive Oregon market.
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How Cannabis Oils Saved This Man from Going Blind
08/17/2022
How Cannabis Oils Saved This Man from Going Blind
When Al Morentin was in the sixth grade, he was told his glaucoma would likely cause complete blindness in the future. By the time he was 30 years old, he started losing his vision—which pushed him to figure out alternative medicines and methods that would save him from blindness. His efforts eventually led him to the world of cannabis products—and with a little bit of experimentation, he found a certain extraction process of CBD oils was able to help him keep his vision. In this episode, Al shares his life-changing story and how it inspired some of his entrepreneurial endeavors in the cannabis space. He also talks about the value of holistic medicine and his advice for people considering a holistic practitioner.
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Why Some Competitive Gamers Are Turning to Cannabis
08/10/2022
Why Some Competitive Gamers Are Turning to Cannabis
In the high-stakes industry of competitive esports, how is cannabis used as a tool to improve performance? To answer that question, Zurich Herbuela joins this week’s episode. He’s an e-sports player, medical cannabis user, and host of cannabis YouTube channel Tools420, and he has plenty of insights to share regarding the intersection of the online world and cannabis usage. Zurich shares his journey of coming to cannabis as someone with Crohn’s disease as well as how he maximizes the positives of cannabis in competitive gaming without losing focus. Plus, he also talks about new and exciting products hitting the vape market.
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Why This Pediatrician Prescribes Cannabis as Medicine
08/03/2022
Why This Pediatrician Prescribes Cannabis as Medicine
The health community is constantly finding new use cases for medical cannabis, and Dr. Ann-Marie Wong has certainly found that to be true in her work. After practicing pediatric medicine for nearly 20 years, Dr. Wong started getting involved in the medical cannabis field and now specializes in pediatric medical cannabis at Miami-based Medverde. On the pod, Dr. Wong shares her experience prescribing cannabis to children with autism and other special needs. She breaks down when parents should bring their child to a pediatric medical cannabis doctor, as well as what happens when patients and their parents come for a consultation. Dr. Wong also talks about some of the success stories her patients have had with medical cannabis treatment and the changing attitudes of doctors towards the drug.
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The Incredible Story of How CBD Helped a Surfer Heal From a Stroke
07/27/2022
The Incredible Story of How CBD Helped a Surfer Heal From a Stroke
As a lifelong athlete, Cory Getz was in perfectly good health—until his near-fatal brain stem stroke. When the life-altering event occurred, Cory completely lost the use of the right side of his body and was told he may never walk again. But with the help of CBD and physical therapy, the surfer managed to make a full recovery and is now helping others heal with cannabis. This week, Corey recounts his incredible story and shares how CBD helped his body recover from the traumatic event. He also talks about how he's helping others suffering from brain injuries, and how changes in the law are making it easier to acquire medical cannabis.
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How to Find Your Perfect THC and CBD Ratio
07/20/2022
How to Find Your Perfect THC and CBD Ratio
A crucial part of finding the right cannabis product is the dosage, but it can also be a confusing topic to grasp. This week, Dr. Uwe Blesching joins the pod to share some helpful information for your next trip to the dispensary. Dr. Blesching is a medical writer, speaker, and author who has written books that include Your Cannabis CBD: THC Ratio and Breaking the Cycle of Opioid Addiction. On the pod, Dr. Blesching talks about how THC works with CBD and how to find the perfect ratio between the two in cannabis products you come across. Blesching also differentiates between the three different chemotypes of cannabis and who would benefit from each one.
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What Cannabis Can Do for Your Creativity
07/13/2022
What Cannabis Can Do for Your Creativity
Cannabis is a well-known creative agent—but how do you harness that creativity to the fullest? This week, Shawn Gold joins the podcast to give some advice and know-how as to using cannabis for creativity and innovation. Shawn is the CEO of Pilgrim Soul, a cannabis company that sells products and merchandise focused on using the plant for creativity. In this episode, Shawn talks about how cannabis has been used through his creative career, and why creative guardrails like his best-selling Creative Thinking Journals can spark new ways of thinking. He also talks about why you lose that sense of creativity in the first place, and what science and research say on how cannabis can help you get it back.
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Your Guide to the Endocannabinoid System
07/06/2022
Your Guide to the Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system has mystified the cannabis and health community until recently, but this system has kept the human body in balance for millions of years. This week, Dr, Rachel Knox joins the podcast to break down this essential network and its importance. Rachel holds an MD and MBA in addition to being a cannabinoid medicine specialist and clinical endocannabinoligist. On the pod, she talks about the components of the endocannabinoid system, as well as how cannabinoids like CBD and THC interact with it. She also talks about how the system can be stimulated beyond cannabis, and how cannabis consumers can use their knowledge to approach their endocannabinoid system in a more balanced way.
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Solving the Cannabis Illiteracy Problem
06/29/2022
Solving the Cannabis Illiteracy Problem
Because society shut the door on cannabis for so many years, consumers don’t know how to navigate the new and exciting products hitting the market. This week, Yoko Miyashita joins the podcast to talk about solving this problem as the CEO of Leafly, a publicly traded online destination that helps millions of people learn about, find, and order cannabis. In this episode, Yoko talks about her policy work prior to becoming CEO and how Leafly is helping uneducated consumers learn about the cannabis ecosystem. She also shares what it’s like being a female CEO in a male-dominated industry and what she predicts is the future of federal cannabis legalization.
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How to Be a Cannaseur
06/22/2022
How to Be a Cannaseur
Coming from the professional world, not many people would peg Ryan Chavez and Jack Stone as cannabis advocates. But the duo is breaking that stereotype and other stigmas as hosts of the podcast Cannabis Connoisseurs, a show dedicated to utilizing cannabis in daily life. In this episode, they talk about discovering the many benefits of cannabis and using that as inspiration for the podcast, as well as the behind-the-scenes work that goes into bringing their show to life. They also share some interesting facts they’ve learned from their research on the topic—from the history of cannabis to new cannabinoids making waves in the industry.
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Great Moments in Weed History
06/15/2022
Great Moments in Weed History
People usually trace cannabis history to the hippies of the 1960s, but the plant’s rich roots can be traced back thousands of years. This week, veteran cannabis journalist David Bienenstock joins the pod to talk about important moments in cannabis history and why it’s so important to preserve it. Besides his work as a journalist, David is the author of How to Smoke Pot (Properly): A Highbrow Guide to Getting High and co-hosts the podcast Great Moments in Weed History. In this episode, David talks about how his experience in cannabis journalism has changed throughout his career, and why activism is still important. He also shares some unlikely cannabis figures in the plant’s history, and what we stand to lose when we forget the past.
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Mormons and Weed? Yes, It’s a Thing
06/08/2022
Mormons and Weed? Yes, It’s a Thing
With so much to know about cannabis, how can podcasts help people understand it—even in communities that aren’t particularly weed friendly? This week, Utahns Jesse Angeles and Brandon Elder join the pod to share what it’s like helping others gain knowledge of the plant. Jesse and Brandon are hosts of Cannabis School, an entertaining and educational podcast promoting responsible conversations about personal consumption. In this episode, the duo talk about the beginnings of their podcast and how they make the show understandable for every listener. They discuss how some in the Mormon community appreciate the substance (daresay even more than coffee.) Plus, they share common misunderstandings and misconceptions people have about cannabis, and their tips for people thinking about trying it for the first time.
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Cypress Hill’s B-Real Gets Real About Cannabis
06/01/2022
Cypress Hill’s B-Real Gets Real About Cannabis
Many artists in the music industry have appreciated cannabis long before it became the norm, including legendary rap group Cypress Hill, which has advocated for the legalization and normalization of cannabis use throughout their career. This week, Cypress Hill member B-Real joins the podcast to talk about the plant and its many roles in his life and the music world. B talks about his involvement in the cannabis industry through his high-end dispensary chain Dr. Greenthumb’s, and shares the exciting products and developments that are coming in the future. He also talks about the role of cannabis in the creative process, and how he uses it when it comes to making music.
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An Asian-American Blazes New Trails in Cannabis
05/25/2022
An Asian-American Blazes New Trails in Cannabis
Hailing from a sauce and spice maker family, entrepreneur Felicity Chen has been using generations of food wisdom to make waves in the cannabis industry. Felicity’s company, Potli, is adding flavor to more than 250 stores in California through its high quality farm-to-table kitchen staples that are infused with cannabis and CBD, including honey, olive oil, sriracha sauce, and shrimp chimps. In this episode, Felicity talks about the beginnings of her company, and how her straight edge Eastern Asian family led to the creation of the company’s best-selling product. She also talks about how she uses Potli’s products in her everyday life, and the advice she has for other Asian Americans wanting to break into the business.
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Hitting the Big O With the Help of Cannabis?
05/19/2022
Hitting the Big O With the Help of Cannabis?
People have long associated cannabis with activities like relaxation and sleep, but there are plenty of other applications for the plant—including sex. This week, Katie Enright joins the pod to talk about oh.hi, a cannabis lubricant that she says enhances sexual pleasure and can help women achieve the elusive orgasm. Katie talks about her pivot from becoming a nun to a sex product entrepreneur. She touches on the science behind her product and how she got it to more than 90 dispensaries across California. Plus, Katie discusses what it’s like tackling two stigmatized topics at once, and what other cannabis sex products she’s hoping to put out in the future.
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Twitter’s Approach to Cannabis, and How Elon Musk Could Change It
05/11/2022
Twitter’s Approach to Cannabis, and How Elon Musk Could Change It
Consumer Insights from data can help a business more efficiently, but what can data do for the cannabis industry? This week, Jeffrey Graham joins the podcast to talk about how the cannabis industry uses data. Jeffrey is the CEO of Pistil Data, a research company that gives cannabis brands the statistically-backed insights they need to identify new revenue and business opportunities. In this episode, Jeffrey talks about using his background working with data for companies like Twitter, Google, and the New York Times to form Pistil Data. He also reveals some telling information as to how and why people are using cannabis, and gives his own perspective on Elon Musk taking over Twitter.
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Cannabis Can Play a Key Role in Fighting the Opioid Crisis
05/04/2022
Cannabis Can Play a Key Role in Fighting the Opioid Crisis
This week, Dr. M-J Milloy joins the podcast to talk about cannabis and how it can help people who are suffering from deadly conditions like opioid addiction and HIV. Dr. Milloy is a cannabis science professor at the University of British Columbia, where he leads research concerning the public health impact of cannabis regulation and the therapeutic applications of cannabis and cannabinoids. On the pod, Dr. Milloy talks about the cannabis studies he’s involved in, and the major implications it can have in healthcare. He also talks about the critical role of de-stigmatization in using cannabis for good, and why everyone needs to start being more honest about their drug use.
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If You Want to See the Future of Cannabis Advocacy, Look to Canada
04/27/2022
If You Want to See the Future of Cannabis Advocacy, Look to Canada
As Canada’s first public cannabis dealer, Hilary Black is one of the leading advocates for cannabis in the country. She has been spearheading efforts to provide cannabis access for more than two decades, founding The British Columbia Compassion Club Society in 1997—long before cannabis hit mainstream conversation. This week, Hilary joins the pod to talk about the ways cannabis advocacy has changed and evolved since the nineties. She discusses the most pressing needs of the industry and how businesses and institutions can come together to create change. She also touches on subjects like dealing with haters, cannabis affordability, and the importance of expungement in the context of cannabis.
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What Are Terpenes, Exactly?
04/27/2022
What Are Terpenes, Exactly?
Most people involved with cannabis know about the terms Indica and Sativa. But the word terpene is far less known, yet has a huge impact on your high. This week, Maxwell Koby joins the podcast to explain the science behind terpenes and their importance to the cannabis experience. Max is the founder of Abstrax, a company that focuses on botanical extraction, terpenes, and aroma compound research. On the pod, Max talks about the way terpenes work and how they effect people in different ways. He also gives insight into the terpene extraction process Abstrax does, and what the future looks like for this niche of the industry.
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Why Doctors Are Hesitant When It Comes to Prescribing Cannabis
04/20/2022
Why Doctors Are Hesitant When It Comes to Prescribing Cannabis
Despite society’s movement towards accepting cannabis as a form of medicine, the topic still polarizes professionals in the medical field. This week, Dr. Jordan Tishler discusses some of the barriers and successes he’s faced as a medical doctor specializing in cannabis treatment. Jordan is the founder of medical cannabis practice inhaleMD and is a graduate of Harvard Medical School. On the pod, Jordan talks about his pivot to the medical cannabis niche after years of work as an emergency physician helping underserved communities. He talks about some of the pushback he’s gotten from other doctors for his work, and how the framework of the healthcare system can discourage its acceptance. He also sheds light on the main misunderstandings his patients have about cannabis, and how confusion between medical and recreational usage can ultimately hurt the movement.
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What Is Proper Edible Etiquette?
04/13/2022
What Is Proper Edible Etiquette?
This week, award-winning educator and writer Sara Payan joins the podcast to talk about engaging with policy makers, media professionals, and the public in the cannabis world. Sara is the host of the Planted with Sara podcast and is the public education officer at the Apothecarium dispensaries. On the pod, Sara talks about her experiences teaching others about the drug and the common questions she’s gotten through her diverse experiences in the industry. She goes in-depth with cannabinoids CBD, THC, and CBG as well as how to use them in products like edibles. Sara also talks about her experience as a cannabis advocate and how the public can more effectively engage with the government for better cannabis policy.
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The Challenges of Cannabis Inclusion Efforts
04/06/2022
The Challenges of Cannabis Inclusion Efforts
When the cannabis industry first started gaining traction, many people thought that the field would be a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case. This week, Sumayyah Emeh-Edu joins the podcast to talk about the ways the industry is trying to correct itself and become more inclusive. Sumayyah is the vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at Canopy Growth and has been implementing DEI initiatives for companies since 2015. On the pod, she talks about diversity in the cannabis industry, and how it’s a reflection of historical and current socioeconomic conditions. Sumayyah also talks about the initiatives cannabis companies need to implement for more diversity, and who’s most responsible for change.
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What Science Tells Us About CBD and Pain
03/30/2022
What Science Tells Us About CBD and Pain
CBD gets a lot of buzz in the cannabis industry as a pain remedy, but what does science have to say on the topic? This week, scientist Sara Ward joins the pod to talk about the state of CBD research. Sara is an assistant professor in the department of pharmacology at the Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and has extensive experience researching cannabis and CBD. On the pod, she discusses her current cannabinoid research and the results she’s been seeing. She talks about the value of clinical research, and how animal trials have been able to further our understanding of CBD and other cannabinoids. Sara also touches on using CBD in combination with THC, CBD’s potential adverse effects, and her personal views on CBD’s use cases.
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There’s an Unspoken Demographic That’s Exploding in the Cannabis Industry
03/23/2022
There’s an Unspoken Demographic That’s Exploding in the Cannabis Industry
When people talk about cannabis, seniors are usually left out of the conversation despite the endless benefits it can provide for them. However, people over 65 are using cannabis more than ever before. This week, Karen Lustman joins the podcast to talk about her mission to help seniors destigmatize and access the plant. Karen is the president and CEO of Senior High, a women-owned health and wellness company that advocates for safe and effective cannabis products for seniors. In this episode, Karen talks about using cannabis for the first time at the age of 65, and how her first experience with the plant led to her role at Senior High. She also gives some insights into the senior care community and talks about the ways she’s seen cannabis enhance seniors’ lives.
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Cannabis for Compassionate Care
03/16/2022
Cannabis for Compassionate Care
Joe Airone is the founder and director of San Francisco-based Sweetleaf Collective, which helps patients from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds access medical cannabis for free. On the pod, Joe talks about his background in helping others and why he formed Sweetleaf Collective as a way to incorporate cannabis in his activism. He also shares some of the stories he’s heard from patients with conditions such as cancer and PTSD, highlighting how important cannabis access is for the people who need it. Plus, Joe shares some insights on cannabis in the nonprofit sector and discusses how innovations like cryptocurrency are helping organizations move forward.
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How One Firefighter’s Cannabis Use Became a Legal Debate
03/09/2022
How One Firefighter’s Cannabis Use Became a Legal Debate
This week, Scott Martin joins the podcast to talk about his involvement in a cannabis case that may change how cities across the country treat employees who use medical marijuana. In 2020, Scott was fired from the Buffalo Fire Department for testing positive for marijuana — despite having all the documentation needed to use it medically. On the pod, Scott details the story of how he came to use medical cannabis as a way to treat PTSD, and why he was fired from his job despite living in a state where the drug has been legalized. Cannabis attorney David Holland also joins the podcast to talk about the case in context, and gives a birds-eye view on the factors and consequences of the landmark lawsuit.
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The Controversy of Cannabis in Medicine
03/02/2022
The Controversy of Cannabis in Medicine
The healing properties of cannabis are well known. But, how does the plant impact people with more serious diseases? This week, Dr. Ajit Dhillon joins the podcast to talk about cannabis as a therapy drug. Dhillon is a critical care physician who has had experience using cannabis to treat illnesses like auto-immune diseases, personality disorders, and even cancer. In addition, Dhillon is the co-founder of the EuroMed Institute and an advisor at Guided Tripping, an organization that uses intentional psychedelic experiences for self improvement. On the pod, Dhillon talks about what he’s observed in patients who use cannabis as medical treatment, and why he believes in its effectiveness. Dhillon also talks about psychedelics and the ways the controversial drugs can affect overall wellness.
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A Yogi’s Guide to Using Cannabis for Increased Self-Awareness
02/23/2022
A Yogi’s Guide to Using Cannabis for Increased Self-Awareness
For thousands of years, people have practiced yoga as a way to connect their mind with their body. This week, Derek Vanderwarker joins the podcast to talk about how cannabis can enhance the age-old tradition, and even give additional benefits. Derek has spent two decades practicing yoga, and now motivates others as a certified yoga instructor and host of the Guys Talking Yoga podcast. In this episode, Derek talks about his journey with cannabis and yoga and some of the benefits he’s experienced by incorporating both into his life. He also offers advice on how yoga practitioners can best use cannabis and deconstructs the stigmas that surround the concepts.
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Cannabis Facts That Caused a Psychiatrist to Write a Book
02/16/2022
Cannabis Facts That Caused a Psychiatrist to Write a Book
For a long time, Dr. Rebecca Siegel never thought about recommending cannabis for patients. But when her patients started telling her about the way cannabis improved their health issues, the psychiatrist started to do her own research — and the results she found were so compelling that she wrote a book about it. Dr. Rebecca’s book, The Brain on Cannabis: What You Should Know about Recreational and Medical Marijuana, is a comprehensive and myth-busting guide on marijuana use and its effects on the brain. On the pod, she talks to Jon about why she wrote the book, and some myths she wants to dispel about the drug. She also recommends some strategies for talking to your kids about cannabis in an educational way.
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