Can cannabinoids change the future of concussion care in contact sports?

Kirk follows up with Dr. Patrick Neary, PhD, from the University of Regina, to see how his NFL-funded research into CBD, concussions, pain management, and athlete health is going now that the study has moved from planning to execution. Recorded on 4/20, let's dive in: can CBD help reduce concussion risk, support brain recovery, and offer athletes an alternative to opioids?

Dr. Neary explains the first phase of his research: a CBD dose-escalation safety study in athletes, including very high daily doses, brain blood-flow testing, cardiovascular monitoring, pharmacokinetics, biomarkers, and side-effect tracking. The episode also previews two related studies: a double-blind placebo-controlled concussion study and an upcoming pain study comparing THC, CBD, full-spectrum cannabinoids, and placebo.

Listen now to learn how a multidisciplinary Canadian research team is studying cannabis, neuroprotection, inflammation, chronic pain, and the future of sports medicine.

What happens when medical cannabis is legal—but medical patients are still left without meaningful guidance?

Part 2 of Kirk’s conversation with Ted Smith of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club explores the widening gap between legalization, Health Canada’s medical cannabis framework, and the real-world needs of patients. It seems many Canadians using cannabis for medical reasons are now being pushed toward recreational stores, where staff are not equipped to discuss drug interactions, dosing, high-potency extracts, suppositories, cancer care, or complex chronic conditions.

Kirk, Trevor, and Ted dig into why compassion clubs still matter after legalization, how cannabis coaches, and community-based educators are filling gaps left by doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and regulators, and why “legal cannabis” is not the same as “medical cannabis.” The conversation also touches on RSO, cytochrome P450 drug interactions, CBD and prescription medications, harm reduction, stigma, raids on the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club, and Ted’s long-term vision for integrated cannabis-focused palliative care.

Listen now to understand why medical cannabis advocacy did not end with legalization—and why patients, healthcare professionals, and policymakers still need to pay attention.

The Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club - website

Ted Smith - LinkedIn

Additional Music:

Desiree Dorion desireedorion.com

Marc Clement - Facebook

Transcripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

What happens when a cannabis compassion club gets raided again despite previous Supreme Court decisions on their side, fervent public support, and years after cannabis legalization?

Kirk visits Ted Smith at the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club (VCBC) just days after its latest raid. Ted discusses ongoing legal challenges, compassionate access, Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), cannabis harm reduction, pharmacist-led patient screening, CBD drug interactions, and the future of medical cannabis in Canada.

This is a thought-provoking conversation about patient care, cannabis policy, and why some Canadians still struggle to access the products they need.

Listen now to learn how advocacy, healthcare, and cannabis policy continue to collide in post-legalization Canada.

The Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club - website

Ted Smith - LinkedIn

Additional Music:

Desiree Dorion desireedorion.com

Marc Clement - Facebook

Transcripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

Why is cannabis research so much harder than researching other medicines?

Dr. Lauren Kelly—Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba, Cannabis researcher and Trialist, CCIC President, and CMCN Co-Lead—joins Reefer MEDness to explain why cannabis clinical trials face unique barriers in Canada. Learn how Health Canada regulations, GMP vs GPP standards, product consistency challenges, and gaps in the Cannabis Act affect research, patient care, and evidence generation.

Discover why researchers often can't study the same cannabis products patients actually use, how clinical trials begin from real-world observations, and what Canada can do to become a global leader in cannabis science.

Listen now to understand the hidden challenges behind cannabis research and the future of evidence-based medical cannabis.

Dr. Lauren Kelly - LinkedIn

-University of Manitoba

Canadian Medical Cannabis Trials Network - CMCN -Website

Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids - Website

Transcripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

Can medical cannabis help children—and what does the evidence actually show?

Pediatric pharmacologist, Dr. Lauren Kelly, joins Trevor and Kirk to discuss medical cannabis in children. This wide ranging conversation includes discussion about epilepsy, autism, pediatric oncology, and the unique challenges of studying cannabinoids during development. Learn what researchers know about CBD, THC & kids, why evidence remains relatively limited, and how stigma, policy, and education continue to affect patient care.

Listen now for an evidence-based discussion on pediatric cannabis research, safety, and the future of cannabinoid medicine for children.

Dr. Lauren Kelly - LinkedIn

-University of Manitoba

C4T - The Canadian Collaborative for Childhood Cannabinoid Therapeutics -Website

Transcripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

Could CBD help your dog with seizures, chronic pain, or relentless itching—and is THC really as dangerous for pets as we've been told?

Trevor and Kirk sit down with Dr. Kevin Toman, a California-based veterinarian specializing in pet longevity and preventive care. Drawing on more than 40 years of veterinary experience, Dr. Kevin explains why CBD has become an important tool in his practice, particularly for managing seizures, joint pain, inflammation, and skin conditions in dogs.

The conversation explores the science behind cannabinoid therapy in pets, common misconceptions about THC toxicity, the challenges veterinarians face when recommending cannabis products, and why product quality matters. Dr. Kevin also shares his perspective on modern veterinary medicine, proactive wellness strategies, and helping pets live longer, healthier lives.

Whether you're a dog owner, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about veterinary cannabis medicine, this episode offers a balanced, evidence-based look at a fast growing area of pet health care.

Listen and learn how cannabinoids can fit into a comprehensive wellness plan for your dog—and what every pet owner should know before choosing a CBD product.

Dr. Kevin - LinkedIn

Helping Pets Live Longer -Website

Transcripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

Can full-spectrum cannabis work better than isolates — even if it tastes worse?

In Part 2 with Seann Poli of JAN Rx, Trevor explores CBG, CBC, acidic cannabinoids, the entourage effect, veteran cannabis care, and why cannabis companies are increasingly filling healthcare roles traditionally held by pharmacists and nurses. Plus: a new “rocket fuel” cannabinoid blend, hormone-focused cannabis products, and the future of medical cannabis guidance in Canada.

Listen now.

Seann Poli - LinkedIn

JANrx -Website

Transcripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

Can medical cannabis care become more personalized and patient-focused? Trevor and Kirk talk with Seann Poli of JANrx about raising capital during the early LP boom to building a 100% Canadian, independent medical cannabis company.

Seann tells us about veteran cannabis care, challenges dealing with insurance companies, CBD/CBN products, medical cannabis education, and the future of holistic cannabinoid wellness in Canada.

Learn how personalized cannabis support is helping veterans manage PTSD, sleep, pain, and overall health for veterans and civilians alike.

Seann Poli - LinkedIn

JANrx -Website

Transcripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

Tightened Spotify / Apple Podcasts Description

Can medical cannabis help patients reduce opioids, sleep better, and reclaim quality of life? In Part 2 of Trevor and Kirk’s conversation with German physician Dr. Vlad Gavril, they continue to explore cannabinoid medicine in Germany. Dr. Vlad discusses chronic pain, insomnia, cannabis smoking vs vaping, opioid reduction, and the evolving German cannabis system. He shares powerful patient stories while emphasizing an honest message: cannabis can help many people — but it’s not magic, and it doesn’t work for everyone.

Listen to how cannabis medicine is evolving in Europe.

Dr. Vlad Gavril - LinkedIn

Transcripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

A German cannabis physician, a nurse and a pharmacist walk into a bar...I mean a podcast. In this fascinating episode of Reefer MEDness, Trevor (pharmacist) and Kirk (registered nurse) sit down with Dr. Vlad Gavril, a German GP specializing in cannabinoid therapy, to explore how medical cannabis is transforming patient care in Germany.

Dr. Vlad explains how Germany’s partial cannabis legalization in April 2024 dramatically changed access to medical cannabis. But with this rapid expansion comes challenges: inconsistent patient education, and stigma around cannabis.

The conversation unpacks how Dr. Vlad uses cannabis clinically—from chronic pain and insomnia to depression and ADHD—and why education about cannabinoids, terpenes, and individualized treatment is critical. Dr. Vlad shares how he guides patients toward vaporization rather than smoking, explores terpene-based strain selection, and explains the importance of activating the body’s endocannabinoid system through lifestyle changes alongside cannabis therapy.

This episode offers rare insight into the rapidly evolving global landscape of medical cannabis policy, patient care, and cannabinoid science.

Listen now to learn how cannabis medicine is being practiced in Germany—and what Canadian clinicians and patients can learn from it.

Dr. Vlad Gavril - LinkedIn

Transcripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca