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The Catch-Up is a collaboration between Give and Toke and AusCannaReviews with Paul and Christina coming together occasionally to explore what’s happening in Cannabis in Australia and around the world. 

In this episode:

• Unmissable talks: Gabriel Younes on aroma, and Chad Walkaden on Indigenous healthcare (2:30)

• The TGA Presentation: cautious optimism and takeaways (7:00)

• Community leading the way (12:00)

• Good vibes prevailing in a volatile time (14:30)

• Key takeaways - memories, challenged perspectives, finding common ground, breaking stigma (17:00)

• Improving UIC for patients (22:00)

• UIC is Cannabis School Camp (26:00)

  
  

@AusCannaReviews on SubStack, Instagram and Twitter/X

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Justin Lee is the founder of Ay Papi, a California-based craft cannabis company focused on solventless, single-origin products made in collaboration with regenerative legacy cultivators.

Before entering the cannabis industry, Justin worked in entertainment as an actor and producer, and competed as an MMA fighter. His path into cannabis was shaped by firsthand experience with injury, chronic pain, and recovery, which led him to explore cannabis not just recreationally, but as part of a broader, more intentional approach to health and wellbeing.

Ay Papi operates without outside capital and rejects volume-driven models, tier systems, and artificial flavouring. Instead, the brand centres genetics, farming practices, and flavour as expressions of place, people, and process. In 2024, Ay Papi’s Whitethorn Rose Single Origin Live Rosin Infused Gummies received Gold and the Golden Bear at the California State Fair, recognised for doing the opposite of most edibles: allowing the cannabis itself to define the experience.

Justin is also a certified Ganjier and a vocal advocate for solventless production, regenerative agriculture, and greater cannabis literacy. His work sits at the intersection of culture, craft, and responsibility, with a strong emphasis on honouring farmers, hashmakers, and the systems that make high-quality cannabis possible.

In this episode:

Justin Lee on being Annyong on Arrested Development (2:00)

Abbott Elementary cannabis activation (6:30)

Cannabis as medicine: overcoming concussion, ceasing opioids and bio-hacking (9:00)

Self-care to Ay Papi (19:00)

What does craft mean? (23:00)

What does organic and regenerative mean? (27:00)

Live Rosin (32:00)

Quiz: Hellos around the World (39:30)

Real time habit changes (41:30)

Regulatory and industry changes needed in California (43:00)

Will rescheduling happen? (45:00)

Pauls of Wisdom (48:00)

Follow @yoswaggylee on Instagram

Follow @aypapico on Instagram

Visit https://aypapi.co/

Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au

Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram

Email [email protected]

Julian Stefanou is the founding partner of West Coast Palms, an Australian medicinal cannabis producer and importer that sits at the intersection of cannabis culture and clinical medicine.

With a national footprint across Australia and a growing international outlook, West Coast Palms is now expanding product availability into key global markets including the Netherlands, Thailand and Barcelona, reflecting a belief that cannabis is moving toward a more unified, international future.

Julian operates in the space where “legalisation is inevitable” and culture must evolve alongside regulation. His work is grounded in building brands and supply chains that respect the plant’s history, while navigating the realities of modern medical frameworks, compliance and patient access.

At his core, Julian represents a new generation of cannabis leaders who see culture not as a risk to medicine, but as an essential part of its future.

In this episode:

Who are West Coast Palms? (1:30)

Improving the sentiment about Australian products (2:15)

From “weed nerd” to founder (5:15)

Improving the regulations (8:00)

Understanding, balancing clinic and culture (9:15)

Quiz: Around the Globe in Cannabis (13:00)

West Coast Palms around the world (26:30)

Mature cannabis industries - can medicinal and adult-use co-exist? (30:00)

Traveling with Cannabis (34:30)

West Coast Palms in the future (37:30)

Pauls of Wisdom (38:30)

Visit www.westcoastpalms.com

Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au

Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram

Email [email protected]

Rachel Payne returns to Give & Toke for a candid and wide-ranging review of cannabis policy in 2025.

Rachel reflects on the year’s most significant developments, including Victoria’s long-awaited drug driving reforms, the government’s continued refusal to legalise cannabis despite overwhelming evidence, and what this means for the thousands of Victorians still being arrested each year.

We also unpack the TGA consultation process, workplace drug testing, hemp reform, and the broader conservatism shaping Australian drug policy. Beyond cannabis, Rachel shares key non-cannabis legislative wins from 2025, including reforms to Working With Children Checks and progress on Treaty and First Peoples’ Assembly work.

In this episode:

A big driving win in 2025 (1:30)

The Victorian Government fail to legalise again… (10:30)

Do MPs use cannabis? (14:00) 

The TGA Consultation (22:00)

Conservatism in Australia (27:30)

The Hemp Industry Bill (30:45)

Workplace Drug Testing Inquiry (33:30)

How does cannabis influence romantic relationships (36:00)

Protecting the progressive crossbench (39:00)

Non-cannabis wins in 2025 - Vicarious Liability (45:30)

Reforming Working with Children Checks (48:00)

Victorian First People’s Treaty (51:30)

Let’s stop arresting our people in 2026 (35:45)

Pauls of Wisdom (56:30)

Visit www.rachelpayne.com.au

Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelpayne_mp

Follow Rachel on Twitter @rachelpaynemp

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Email Us [email protected]

In this episode, Paul is joined by the Interim CEO and Founder of SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals, Michael Sassano - a man with a track record for global market predictions. Together they look back at 2025, and explore what's in store across the world in 2026.

In this episode:

Trump Reschedules Cannabis in the US (1:30)

Not All Pharmaceuticals are the same (4:30)

Regulatory Curveballs across the world - UK, Germany and Australia (7:45)

Australia in 2025 (14:00)

Collaboration is the key to success (15:30)

The rise of emerging markets - France, Spain, Slovenia, Poland, New Zealand (19:00)

Preserving medicinal frameworks whilst achieving better access (24:00)

Operational challenges in Portugal in 2025 (28:30)

Meeting patient needs (31:00)

What’s coming in 2026 (34:30) 

Patients need different formats (38:00)

Visit www.somaipharma.com.au

Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au

Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram
Email [email protected]

Mimi Sener is one of the most respected and quietly influential leaders in the Australian medicinal cannabis industry.

Mimi’s journey into cannabis was shaped by lived experience, supporting a partner through cancer and questioning the limits of traditional pharma. Since then, she’s built a career spanning early-stage industry growth, clinical education, consulting and senior leadership, including her current role as General Manager of Alma Cannabis Australia.

Together, Paul and Mimi unpack the real state of the Australian cannabis industry, the fallout from the TGA consultation, and what it actually takes to professionalise a sector still finding its feet. They explore leadership, standards, and the realities of operating in a volatile, politically charged market.

In this episode:

An affinity for cannabis in spite of stigma (2:00)

The TGA consultation forgot about patients (8:00)

Big Pharma contradictions (13:45)

A highly personal drive to cannabis (20:00)

Montu and the early years of the industry (26:00)

Declining excitement and increasing fear in Australia (36:00)

Fallout from the TGA consultation: limiting education, access, and reduced limits (43:00)

Questions from a Friend (61:00)

Alma in a nutshell (75:00)

The eyes on us have knives out (82:00)

Pauls of Wisdom (89:45)

Find Mimi Sener on LinkedIn

Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au

Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram

Email [email protected]

In this special episode of The Catch-Up, Christina and Paul reunite to unpack their recent trip to Thailand. They share insights from their visits to Iridescent Med and the facility cultivating Cookies California genetics, reflect on the world-class standards they witnessed, and express gratitude for the hospitality extended by the teams. Expect thoughtful reflections, genuine appreciation, and excitement about the innovation shaping Thailand’s cannabis landscape.

@AusCannaReviews on ⁠SubStack⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠Twitter/X⁠

Email ⁠[email protected]⁠

Visit ⁠www.giveandtoke.com.au⁠

Follow @giveandtoke on ⁠Instagram⁠

Email ⁠[email protected]

This week on Give & Toke, Paul is joined by Angus Murray - a cultivator who’s taken lessons from Vancouver to Victoria and everywhere in between. From his time growing in Canada’s legendary BC cannabis scene to shaping cultivation in Australia, Angus brings a unique perspective on what it takes to deliver consistent, high-quality medicine to patients.

Paul and Angus stroll down memory lane in Vancouver, dive into the realities of cultivation on both sides of the Pacific, and even test Angus’s loyalty with an Australia vs Canada quiz. It’s a lighthearted yet insightful chat about cannabis, culture, and the future of cultivation in Australia.

In this episode:

The Vancouver Influence (5:30)

Getting Started at Tantalus (9:40)

Returning to Australia (14:00

From Craft to Major (18:00)

Delivering a Consistently High Quality Product (22:00)

A Vision for Adult Use (25:00)

Canadian Australian Quiz (31:00)

Cultivators Shaping the Industry (39:30)

Managing Stigma and Judgement (42:00)

Golden Days Cultivators (52:30)

Pauls of Wisdom (55:15)

Visit www.goldendayscultivators.com.au

Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au

Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram

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Dr Bryce Joynson is a neuro-affirming Specialist GP based on the Gold Coast, with a practice that blends clinical rigour and holistic care. Known for his work across ADHD, autism, hyper-mobility disorders, and medicinal cannabis, Dr Joynson is at the forefront of progressive medicine in Australia.

From pioneering Australia's first paediatric cannabis prescribing protocols to developing brain imaging strategies for mental health, Bryce brings a unique perspective to the conversation around neurodiversity, chronic illness, and how we approach care in the 21st century.

He’s a passionate educator, medical advisor, and vocal advocate for a future where patients are seen, heard, and supported.

In this episode:

• Discovering the importance of relationships (2:00)

• Adapting your consult time and reading the room (5:00)

• Developing meaningful relationships (8:00)

• Remaining present and mindful  in consults and life (14:00)

• What is neuro-affirming care? A boom in self-diagnosis (23:00)

• Gaps in neurodivergent care (30:00)

• Rapid Fire Quiz (38:00)

• Medicinal Cannabis at a tool (42:00)

• Stigma in the medical space (44:45)

• Limitations of medicinal cannabis (49:00)

• AHPRA and TGA cracking down? (53:00)

• Pauls of Wisdom (55:00)

  
  

Visit www.drbryce.com.au

Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au

Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram

Email [email protected]

With over a decade of experience spanning both the legacy market and the medical industry, Jessica Peros brings a rare dual perspective to Australia’s evolving cannabis space.

In this episode of Give & Toke, Paul sits down with Jessica to talk about her journey from co-founding The Green Room Hydro to creating The Green Room HQ - a space for patient advocacy, industry insight, and community connection.

We explore how Jessica’s work and life have shaped her understanding of patients, and prescribers, and why championing local growers is critical to the future of cannabis in Australia.

In this episode:

• From Hydro to HQ (2:30)
• Mindset: Corporate vs Culture (6:00)
• Tackling Stigma as a Woman (14:00)
• Cannabis shouldn’t be a last resort treatment (21:00)
• The People’s Princess: Criticism from the Community (23:00)
• High Note: Female Rap Quiz (27:00)
• Building a Compassionate Cannabis Future (34:00)
• Recurring themes in Cannabis (37:00)
• Feminine Cannabis and Inclusion (43:00)
• Pauls of Wisdom (46:00)

Follow @thegreenroom.hq on Instagram

Visit www.giveandtoke.com.au

Follow @giveandtoke on Instagram

Email [email protected]