This episode is to honour and celebrate the legacy of previous guest Michelle Kendall who died last year from ovarian cancer. In her words:"I think the universe gave me lemons. And I didn't just make lemonade. I feel like I've made lemon meringue pie."Michelle is referring to her unwavering determination to use a scientific approach to finding a cure for her cancer using cannabis. As well as making her Schedule 1 documentary highlighting the blockade on research into cannabinoids caused by the completely unjustified schedule 1 classification of the cannabis plant, Michelle and her husband Bruce ploughed their savings into funding research through the Israeli lab of Professor Hinanit Koltai from the Volcani Institute with the view to finding a cure for her cancer.Sadly Michelle passed away in September 2021, too soon to see the publication of the peer reviewed paper based on her initial studies and curiosity which found that combining THC, CBG and CBC showed anticancer properties against ovarian cancer cell lines. Bruce and Hinanit hope this is just the start, and are looking for funding to eventually translate these findings to clinical trials. For anyone interested in finding out more about this work, please contact Bruce through the company he set up with Michelle before her death. https://www.CannaOncResearch.comkendall@CannaOncResearch.com+1 (805) 708-7353You can hear Michelle's previous interview on Cannabis Voices here. Support the show

Many of us have heard about how the anti-tumoral effects of cannabis and anecdotal accounts abound of patients who've successfully treated their cancer with cannabis oil.But combining cannabis and psilocybin is a potentially exciting combination using a two pronged approach: targeting the cancer cells with cannabis while healing the emotional trauma and discord with psilocybin (although psilocybin may have its own anticancer effects).This is the courageous route Nicole DiMonda took when she discovered she had breast cancer: up-titrating to high doses of a full spectrum cannabis extract, abundant in not only THC and CBD but also the acidic cannabinoids, alongside heroic doses and microdosing psilocybin. This until now, has been alongside standard cancer treatments. So far, Nicole's results have far exceeded her physician's expectations, and her case history has been highlighted in a recent paper published in collaboration with Drug Science and Imperial College London.Sadly, Nicole's cancer is terminal but the couple hope they can continue to beat the odds using their cannabis/psilocybin protocol. In the meantime, they continue to spread the word about this unique approach to healing not only the body, but the mind and spirit as well.  If you want to follow Nicole's journey, she can be followed on Instagram or contacted through the CBD brand Grace Health and Wellness she runs with Jaime. Support the show

Today sees the return of Rebekah Shaman and in what might feel like a rather off topic episode for a Cannabis podcast, we will be talking about the benefits of cacao to our mind, body and spirit. I've been enjoying ceremonial grade cacao every morning as a hot chocolate drink for the  last three months, and have experienced some unexpected health benefits: namely improved mood and some pretty impressive metrics for my heart health.  There's some very interesting research looking at how certain flavonoids in cacao and theobromine help to protect our hearts, lower blood pressure and even stave off dementia, plus it helps to buffer us against stress by lowering cortisol. All of which I hope to be sharing in some articles soon.  Many of you know Rebekah through the UK's hemp industry and the British Hemp Alliance, but she has also been importing cacao and holding cacao ceremonies since  2012 when she was told by the spirit of ayahuasca to bring back cacao to the UK and start offering it ceremonially. Head here for more information about Rebekah's Ritual Cacao and for information about her 21 day "Coffee to Cacao Challenge." Support the show

Jane Hinchliffe has a complex collection of illnesses which include complex regional pain syndrome, anxiety, ASD and functional neurological disorder which has meant since being a teen she has been prescribed a host of prescribed medications including strong opiates.For many years Jane sourced cannabis from the legacy market to control her pain and also grew her own, which led her to spending a short spell in prison. So eventually, she decided to go the legal route and is now a medical cannabis patient through a UK clinic.Thanks to cannabis Jane has gone from a zombie like state and in a wheelchair to be a gym enthusiast and fitness fanatic. She is also very active on social media, with many of her posts highlighting the stigma she and most other patients face when medicating, even if they have a prescription.This is a lively interview with some entertaining moments thanks to Jane's colourful and down-to-earth character and funny storytelling.    Resources: Jane's Twitter Jane's YouTube Channel Seed Our Future Guidance for Medical Cannabis UsersSupport the show

In 2018 Rebecca was diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine cancer which resulted in a sudden removal of her left lung. At that time, she was Director of Business Development with a prominent laboratory equipment supplier serving the cannabis industry in North America. From chronic fatigue or menstrual cramps to cancer-related pain and anxiety she was able to find relief from cannabis. This led to a passionate quest to understand the science and production process more deeply behind cannabis products and medicines. Her strong background in cannabis led to her relocation from the US to the UK to join the AGI International team as Business Development Manager. She has been using her voice to spread awareness through education about the potential benefits of cannabis use for therapeutic purposes.  As a member of PLEA’s advisory board, she also attends UK Cannabis Industry Council meetings and participates in Drug Science’s Medical Cannabis Working Group. As cannabis continues to grow into a global conversation Rebecca will be at the forefront of the movement championing for education and drug policy reform.Support the show

There's no romantic  origin story of how Alvaro Torres, CEO and Co-founder of Khiron Life Sciences,  a Colombian medical cannabis company, got into the sector.And for this reason, it would be tempting to assume the company was started to make the most of the worldwide cannabis green rush with little concern for patients. It would seem though that at Khiron, Torres and his team strive towards making patients the centre of the business model, whether it's their established clinics in Colombia or their more recent concerns in the UK and Germany. This is a great interview for cannabis industry professionals and patients alike, as it shows how humanity does not have to be lost when creating a successful medical cannabis company. In fact, it might just work in its favour.Useful links:https://khiron.ca/https://khironmed.co.uk/https://zereniaclinic.co.uk/Support the show

Nikki Lawley is a patient advocate, speaker, and founder of Nikki and the Plant. She personally discovered cannabis as medicine after suffering a life-changing injury while working as a pediatric nurse. In October of 2016, Nikki was a 46-year-old woman whose life changed in literally a second.  Going from being a medical professional to becoming a patient was a major adjustment and almost cost this vibrant mother, wife, and career professional to contemplating taking her own life after becoming a victim of the traditional medical system, seeing over 50 doctors, and was on cocktails of drugs that each had more and more side effects. Four months after her injury, Nikki found plant medicine. Nikki and the Plant is a pillar of medical cannabis advocacy and a champion for the importance of sharing patient stories.  She is planning on creating the first product line focusing on cannabis and the science behind why cannabis helps support for her chronic pain, cognitive function, anxiety, and depression.   Nikki is on the Patient Advisory Board for NY State Americans for Safe Access and for Cannabis BPO. Nikki is considered a leading voice in the community, chronicling her journey from being a healthcare provider to a patient to an advocate. She hopes to bring worldwide awareness to invisible illness and disability. She has been a guest on multiple podcasts and shows including “Let’s Be Blunt with Montel Williams.” Contact and social media links All Links to podcasts, videos and articles  https://linktr.ee/NikkilawleyWebsite   www.nikkiandtheplant.orgLinked In  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-lawley-aa281517/?trk=people-guest_people_search-cardFacebook https://www.facebook.com/nikki.lawleyFacebook Page https://www.facebook.com/nikkiandtheplantInstagram https://www.instagram.com/nikkiandtheplant/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8gIjFp_5cCEiwbTHBQXfrw Email nikkilawley1@gmail.comSupport the show

Dr. Bonni Goldstein is one of the most well-respected and long-established cannabis doctors in the United States. Prior to cannabis, she worked for fourteen years in pediatric emergency medicine, developed a passion for cannabis when she witnessed how helpful it had been in treating a friend’s illness.This inspired her to eventually open Canna-Centers Wellness and Education in California where she specializes in treating children with intractable epilepsy, autism, cancer and other conditions.Bonni is author of the  “Cannabis is Medicine: How Medical Cannabis and CBD are Healing Everything from Anxiety to Chronic Pain” and has carried out two ground-breaking studies researching the use of Cannabis-Responsive biomarkers to document cannabis treatment efficacy, guide clinical decision-making, and improve outcomes in children with autism.In this interview, Bonni shares her true feelings about the resistance universally found amongst pediatric neurologists towards cannabis-based medicines for epilepsy, and is a real masterclass for anyone interested in pediatric cannabis medicine. Support the show

Eloise Theisen is a board certified Adult Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and nurse for over twenty years, who since 2014 has been specialising in treating patients with medical cannabis. Eloise is current President of the American Cannabis Nurses Association, CEO of Radicle Health, which offers patient care focussing on cannabinoids, as well as cannabis education for clinicians and industry training and is also Chief Nursing Officer and Board President for Leaf 411, a nonprofit operating a  cannabis-trained nurse  guidance line.A fierce advocate for increasing the involvement of nurses in patient care with medical cannabis and improving health inequalities in cannabis and more generally, Eloise's expertise and passion makes this an episode not to miss.   Support the show

Dr. Gordon is double board certified in family medicine and integrative medicine and author of 'The CBD Bible'. Having started her medical career practising in Canada, she is now located in the United Kingdom. As an integrative medicine practitioner in Canada, cannabis was just one treatment option amongst many she called upon to return patients to optimal health. Alongside Professor Mike Barnes, Dani helped set up the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, of which she is Vice Chair, and her extensive knowledge has been integral in the training of many new medicinal cannabis prescribers in the UK. She has also just opened up her own integrative practice Feel Clinics specialising in women’s health and mental wellbeing where she offers her own particular blend of cannabinoids, other botanicals, functional medicine testing, and evidence based mind/body practices. Support the show

Filmmaker Steve Barron has directed some of the most iconic music videos of the 1980s including Michael Jackson's Billie Jean (which we discuss in the podcast), Aha's Take on Me, Human League Don't You Want Me Baby, and The Jam's Going Underground (to name but a few).Steve's also been a pretty successful film and TV director as well, and yet, it's his latest project - constructing a house from the hemp he's grown on his own farm - that he views as his greatest achievement.Steve has been collaborating since the project's early stages with Cambridge University, and together they've come up with some pretty cool innovations on creating construction materials from hemp.Steve hopes that Margent Farm will just be the beginning and the hemp-based technology they've created can eventually be scaled up and be used worldwide as a more sustainable source of building materials. Resources:Margent Farm websiteMetro Article on Steve Follow Steve on Twitter Support the show

In November 2019, months before the pandemic struck, Irish chronic pain patient Alicia Maher decided she'd had enough of getting cannabis off the street in order to treat the chronic pain she'd endured for many years. She decided to move to Alicante in Spain, where she could access cannabis semi-legally from the cannabis clubs there.However, now Alicia wants to come home to her friends and family. Only if she does, if she brings her medicine back into the country she risks getting arrested.  Alicia Maher's story is one that shows in all its horror the intransigence of governments around the world in relation to medical cannabis, in particular when it comes to chronic pain. In Ireland, consultants are generally resistant to prescribing medicinal cannabis at all. However, for conditions such as intractable epilepsy, MS and chemotherapy related nausea and vomiting, medical cannabis prescriptions are paid for by the state.Unfortunately at the moment, regulators have found insufficient evidence for the efficacy of medicinal cannabis in chronic pain meaning patients have to fund the treatment themselves.In Alicia's case, despite being one of the lucky few to have found a willing pain consultant, her prescription would cost more than the money she receives every month in disability benefits, making in an unsustainable option.  So for the time being, in order to be able to afford to receive the medicine she needs, she must continue living as a medical cannabis refugee in SpainSupport the show

In one of the most inspiring interviews of the series so far, I speak to Alisia Ratliff, CEO of Victus Capital Ventures and until very recently Chief Scientific Officer at Jersey Hemp in the UK. We cover many topics including: her lonely journey as a woman of colour into a career in sciencehow the challenges she has faced have only made her more determined to succeedher views on the UK CBD industry from her time at Jersey Hemp why it's so important to redress the wrongs that have been committed to the black and hispanic communities through the criminal justice system for cannabis possession by creating a more diverse and inclusive cannabis sectorMore information on Alisia: LinkedIn Support the show

Today we speak to Sam Cannon, who didn't take no for an answer when his hemp-focussed applications to the upcoming Cop26 UN Climate Summit were turned down.Instead he decided to put his passion for hemp and background in music and events to good use, organising an exciting new fringe festival called 'Beyond The Green' at St Lukes in Glasgow on the 5th, 6th and 7th of November. In this episode, we hear how Sam's passion for campaigning for changing the stigma about hemp and cannabis really came to fruition when his 'day job' Djing and touring with Formula E, the motorsport championship for electric cars, ground to a halt in the pandemic.Sam also gives us a whistle stop tour of the potential hemp (or is it cannabis) holds for the planet and the overall health of its human inhabitants, as well as his thoughts on why the government are taking so long to listen to the science surrounding hemp's role in becoming carbon neutral.  For more information about Beyond The Green Fringe Festival head to this website. Information on the line up and ticket details for the Earth Aid event on Saturday 6th November head to this website. And to see a clip from the interview Sam did we me sitting on a log:  YoutubeSupport the show

Today's episode features Phil Monk, founder of We The Undersigned, a community group  a "united in the shared belief in the most ancient, traditional and fundamental human right to be free to sow the seeds of the highly nutritious herb of the cannabis family, to care for and nurture, then harvest, prepare, medicate, enjoy and share, free from the fear of persecution, prosecution or prison for this fundamental health choice to manage our health, well-being and happiness with natural herbal cannabis."Ex teacher Phil has a host of chronic health conditions including chronic myofascial pain and depression, but finds cannabis not only gives him quality of life, but also a deeper connection with the divine as well as unlocking a level of creativity he never knew he had.ResourcesWe The Undersigned Website The Legal Fund Phil's book: 'The Fight for Rights and Freedom of Choice'  Support the show

After more than 20 years  as a director of UK and Australian Stock Exchange quoted companies,  mainly focused on the acquisition, structuring and financing of natural resources deals across Africa, in 2018 Melissa Sturgess turned her attention to medical cannabis.Following a deep dive into the cannabinoid science gained in Israel, she founded UK based, AQSE quoted Ananda Developments Plc to invest in the sector and is its largest shareholder.  Melissa is also the founder of premium CBD brand Montana and was the recipient of the Executive of the Year at the Malta Cannabiz Awards in November 2019.  High on Ananda's list of priorities is growing high quality medical cannabis in the UK using sustainable practices that are line with patients' needs.Melissa is a passionate advocate and mentor for women in business, and has some great advice for anyone, women or men, about raising capital.   Resources:Ananda Developments Montana LinkedIn Support the show

Healing leg ulcers and wounds is one of those unsexy areas that rarely get spoken about possibly because most people that have them are elderly and immobile.But as Dr Vincent Maida, a Canadian palliative care physician explains, right now current protocols do for treating these painful and debilitating wounds overall do not have successful outcomes.Dr Maida's work in palliative care over the years exposed him to the therapeutic use of cannabis based medicines, piquing his interest into wondering whether cannabis might also help heal his patients' leg ulcers.Using his own patented formula combining cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, Dr Maida has published various papers that show in the patient population treated with topical cannabis, they experienced far superior wound healing compared with standard treatment alone.So far, the research has been preliminary and in open label studies, but according to Dr Maida, clinical studies are hopefully in the offing. Resources:Clinical parameters associated with pressure ulcer healing in patients with advanced illnessTopical Medical Cannabis: A New Treatment for Wound Pain-Three Cases of Pyoderma GangrenosumTopical cannabis-based medicines - A novel paradigm and treatment for non-uremic calciphylaxis leg ulcers: An open label trialTopical cannabis-based medicines – A novel adjuvant treatment for venous leg ulcers: An open-label trialhttp://vincentmaida.com/Support the show

This week's episode is dedicated to Project Twenty21, the UK medical cannabis registry collecting data on safety and efficacy, while offering the participants subsidised medical cannabis prescriptions.I speak to Anne Katrin Schlag, Head of Research at Drug Science, and overseeing the research side of T21. She explains how the project came about, what it aims to achieve, and what benefits there are for patients. She also discusses some promising preliminary findings from T21 shared in a peer reviewed paper published earlier this year. To get the patient's perspective I speak to Claire Bywalec, who developed fibromyalgia after a riding accident as a child. Claire explains not only how cannabis has transformed her life, but also the process of onboarding with T21 and how it's worked for her.For more information about getting involved with Project Twenty21, head to https://www.drugscience.org.uk/project-twenty21/Support the show

Kyle Esplin, a professional musician by trade, discovered CBD and hemp after becoming severely debilitated by post viral fatigue.Where conventional medicine failed, CBD and hemp extracts gradually brought Kyle back to health, so he decided to harness his new found passion and create his own CBD brand, Holistic Highland Hemp.A vocal challenger to  regulations such as Novel Foods and the licensing of hemp farming through the home office, Kyle is chair of the Scottish Hemp Association and is in the process of making a documentary about the UK hemp industry. LinksHolistic Highland HempScottish Hemp AssociationCannabis Industry Council  Support the show

Professor Javier Fernández-Ruiz is Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine at the Complutense University of Madrid. He is currently the Principal Investigator of the “Cannabinoids and Neurological Disorders” research group at the Complutense University. Professor Fernandez is also a member of the Editorial Board in the British Journal of Pharmacology. He has authored several papers outlining the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in degenerative disorders including:Cannabinoids in Neurodegenerative Disorders and Stroke/Brain Trauma: From Preclinical Models to Clinical ApplicationsEndocannabinoids and Neurodegenerative Disorders: Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Chorea, Alzheimer's Disease, and OthersCannabidiol for neurodegenerative disorders: important new clinical applications for this phytocannabinoid?The biomedical challenge of neurodegenerative disorders: an opportunity for cannabinoid-based therapies to improve on the poor current therapeutic outcomesProspects for cannabinoid therapies in basal ganglia disordersAs Professor Fernandez mentioned in the podcast, he is happy to be contacted by anyone interested in finding out more about his area of research and can be emailed on jjfr@med.ucm.es. (Please remember he is not a medical doctor). Support the show