What happens when you walk straight out of the grow room and hit record?

In this special On the Road episode, I visited Medcan Australia in Southeast Queensland for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the country’s earliest licensed cannabis producers. After the tour, I sat down with co-founder and CCO Gareth Ball for a raw, in-the-moment chat about cultivation, product development, market pressure, and why Australia needs to back its own industry.

From pheno-hunting wins (and fails) to research gaps, global comparisons, and the launch of Medcan’s new cultivar, Velvet Thunder.

Whether you’re a patient, producer, or just passionate about homegrown cannabis, this episode is packed with deep insights, bold ideas, and that signature AusCanna curiosity.

📍Recorded on-site in Southeast Queensland.

👉 Got a Rapid Fire question you want me to ask a guest? Email them to [email protected]. I love including questions from the community!

💚 Want to support the podcast? Tap the Buy Me a Coffee link in the show notes!

In this episode, we cover a lot of topics, including:

* Rapid Fire (2:42)

* Who is Gareth Ball? (10:49)

* The story behind Medcan Australia (12:02)

* From pheno-hunting to products in patients’ hands… What’s the process? (18:15)

* Do pheno hunts ever fail? (28:28)

* There’s more to cannabis than THC, will the education ever catch up? (30:16)

* The importance of gathering research (33:02)

* Canadian market vs Australian market (38:05)

* Buying weed from questionable sources (39:57)

* The price of cannabis around the world (43:20)

* Where is the global cannabis market going? (45:33)

* Supporting Australian-grown cannabis first (46:27)

* What’s next for Medcan? (50:16)

* Exciting times ahead for the local industry (53:50)

* Stigma, politics and legalisation (55:17)

* Life is better with a little bit of cannabis (58:37)

* Our reflections on swapping out pharmaceutical pills for cannabis (59:08)

* Cannabis a first option, not a last option (62:23)

* Gareth’s call to action (64:19)

Show Notes:

Where to Find Gareth Ball:

* Gareth on LinkedIn

* Medcan Australia LinkedIn

* Medcan Australia Website

* Email [email protected]

Where to find Christina Mc Mullan:

* @AusCannaReviews on SubStack

* @AusCannaReviews on Instagram

* @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X

* Email [email protected]

* Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast

Is CBD the missing link in IBS treatment?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Chris Schneider and Rick Palesh — the minds behind SVG and the Genesis Study, a first-of-its-kind clinical trial investigating CBD’s potential to relieve pain caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The study is currently under review and expected to be published in the coming months and the results could be a game-changer.

We dig into the science, the unexpected findings (including a wild placebo effect), and what it really takes to push cannabis research forward in a clinical setting. From dosing dilemmas to regulatory hurdles, this is a rare behind-the-scenes look at the future of cannabinoid medicine and gut health.

🎧 Whether you’re a patient looking for answers, a practitioner hungry for data, or just curious about the next frontier of cannabis research — this one’s for you.

👉 Got a Rapid Fire question you want me to ask a guest? Email me at [email protected] — I love including questions from the community.

💚 Like what I’m doing? You can support the podcast at buymeacoffee.com/auscannapodcast — every bit helps keep these conversations going!

In this episode, we cover a lot of topics, including:

* Rapid Fire (2:23)

* Who are Dr. Chris Schneider and Rick Palesh? (19:13)

* What is the Genesis study? (22:12)

* Placebo Effect… It’s crazy strong! (23:56)

* How did the Genesis study approach dosing? (30:10)

* What were some of the biggest hurdles the Genesis study faced? (31:09)

* Were there any regulatory roadblocks in conducting the clinical trial? (33:08)

* Cannabinoid research is still evolving, was it difficult to get approval or funding? (34:19)

* The challenges of translating research findings into real-world treatment options (35:21)

* Will these results open the door to further research on CBD and gut health? (36:23)

* Specific aspects of CBD’s effects on IBS that Dr. Schneider and Rick would like to investigate next (38:18)

* Potential plans to expand research into other cannabinoids, such as CBG or CBN (40:14)

* In an ideal world with unlimited resources, what would the next phase of SVG’s research look like? (42:33)

* Advice for patients trying to navigate CBD on their own (45:17)

* The edibles tangent (49:33)

* The most underrated cannabinoid in terms of therapeutic potential (57:45)

* The importance of paitent reported data (59:36)

* Dr. Schneider and Rick’s call to action (61:39)

Show Notes:

Where to Find Dr. Chris Schneider and Rick Palesh:

* SVG Website

* Email [email protected]

Where to find me:

* @AusCannaReviews on SubStack

* @AusCannaReviews on Instagram

* @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X

* Email [email protected]

* Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast

This week, I’m joined by Churchill Fellow Tom Forrest, a sustainable grower, educator, and long-time cannabis advocate, for a wide-ranging chat about the future of cannabis cultivation in Australia.

Tom isn’t just growing cannabis… He’s growing a movement! In this episode, we explore what pulled him toward plant medicine and why true sustainability in cannabis is about action, not optics.

We get into everything from terroir and transparency to Reddit rabbit holes and sketchy spray packs. There’s talk of potency, perception, and yes, a few cheeky munchie stories too!

Tom also shares his thoughts on the Cannatrek and Heyday merger, what it could signal for the Australian scene, and why a bit of industry stability might be exactly what we need to spark real innovation.

If you're a grower, patient, or just curious about where your cannabis comes from…This one's for you!

👉 Got a Rapid Fire question you want me to ask a guest? Email me at [email protected] — I love including questions from the community.

💚 Want to support the podcast? Tap the Buy Me a Coffee link in the show notes!

In this episode, we cover a lot of topics, including:

* Rapid Fire (1:46)

* Who is Tom Forrest? (14:01)

* What started Tom’s journey towards cannabis advocacy? (16:38)

* Sneaky munchie moments (19:26)

* The journey from cotton to cannabis (25:34)

* What are some of the biggest misconceptions about the environmental impact of cannabis cultivation? (27:54)

* Smoke and mirrors? We need to be able to tell OUR story (31:24)

* Are there any significant differences in the potency or effects of cannabis grown with sustainable methods versus traditional methods? (37:03)

* Terroir… It’s important! (37:50)

* Excitement within cannabis breeding, we’re levelling up! (43:20)

* Spray packs and other things that aren’t natural… We just don’t know (44:48)

* More accountability… More carrots, fewer sticks (47:15)

* Oh, Reddit, you’re wild (49:28)

* Grow Zone Magazine (54:02)

* Tom’s thoughts on the Cannatrek and Heyday merger, and what does that mean for Puro (59:02)

* Stability breeds creativity (63:20)

* Tom’s call to action (65:01)

* Wise words from Thumper’s father (66:12)

Where to find Tom Forrest:

* @tomforrestcf on Instagram

* Tom’s LinkedIn

* Email [email protected]

* Puro New Zealand Website

* Grow Zone Magazine

Where to find me:

* @AusCannaReviews on SubStack

* @AusCannaReviews on Instagram

* @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X

* Email [email protected]

* Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast

Shownotes:

* Bialetti Moka Pot

* Tom Forrest - Cannabis Cultivation - Findings of a Churchill Fellowship - Q&A (Entheogenesis Australis)

* Steve Cantwell

* Thumper’s Father’s wise words (Bambi)

What does it look like when a doctor helps rewrite a country’s cannabis laws? Dr. JC Scicluna- Medical & Global Business Development Consultant isn’t just treating patients — he’s shaping the future of cannabis in Europe. From Malta’s bold move into adult-use legalisation to the power of real-world data and global research gaps, this conversation dives deep into what happens when medicine, policy, and passion collide. No fluff, no half measures — just a raw, honest look at where cannabis is headed and why community still matters most.

In this episode, we cover a lot of topics, including:

* Rapid Fire (1:41)

* Who is Dr. Scicluna? (7:28)

* How did Dr. Scicluna and I meet? (10:37)

* Malta’s cannabis legislation and Dr. Scicluna’s contribution (11:29)

* Malta… Trailblazers in the EU on tight timelines (19:50)

* How did Dr. Scicluna’s patients find him? (23:30)

* Battling stigmas (26:17)

* How does Europe compare to Australia in cannabis research? (27:50)

* If Dr. Scicluna could run his own cannabis study, what would he focus on? (33:59)

* Are there any specific cannabinoids, terpenes or flavonoids that deserve more attention? (37:51)

* Real-world data… It’s important! (39:52)

* Will pharmaceutical companies play a role in the cannabis market 10 years from now? (41:35)

* Keep your eyes on the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) (43:07)

* Could Malta’s approach be replicated here in Australia? (53:32)

* The power (and safety) of consuming together (54:46)

* The cannabis community LOVES to give back (57:14)

* No half measures! (61:04)

* Dr. Scicluna’s upcoming projects and events he’s excited to attend (64:05)

* Dr. Scicluna key message… Never underestimate the work you're doing! (67:00)

Where to find Dr. JC Scicluna:

* Email [email protected]

* Dr. JC Scicluna on LinkedIn

* Dr. JC Scicluna’s Website

Where to find me:

* @AusCannaReviews on SubStack

* @AusCannaReviews on Instagram

* @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X

* Email [email protected]

* Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast

Shownotes:

* Pastizz (Malta Street Food)

* European Citizens' Initiative

* International Narcotics Control Board (INCB)

For years, the cannabis industry has been stuck in a potency arms race, chasing ever-higher THC percentages as if that’s the only measure of quality. But what if we’ve been looking at it all wrong? What if moderate THC cultivars could actually provide a better, more sustainable experience for patients—without the downsides of ultra-potent cannabis?

In this episode, I sit down with Camilo Cortissoz and Juan Angel from Green Shepherd, a company shaking up the industry by proving that balance matters more than brute strength. We unpack the science, patient experiences, and industry trends that show why chronic potency chasing might not be the future of cannabis after all.

This episode will challenge what you think you know about cannabis and just might change the way you medicate.

🎧 Hit play and join the conversation!

👉 Have a rapid-fire question that’ll make my next guest stop and think? Submit yours now!💚 Want to support the podcast? The #AusCannaStorage CanGos are now available! Email me at [email protected] to grab yours!

In this episode, we cover a lot of topics, including:

* Rapid Fire (1:51)

* The Story behind Green Shepherd (26:40)

* Camilo shares his first experience with cannabis in Colombia vs Australia (27:59)

* Juan shares a little about his childhood (30:45)

* How did Juan and Camilo meet? (32:39)

* Did they have the same dealer? (33:12)

* Putting their skill set to better use (34:28)

* Columbia’s rich cannabis history (37:48)

* The difficulty finding quality plants with lower THC (42:59)

* Is the industry as a whole too focused on high THC? (45:01)

* What misconceptions do people have about moderate THC cultivars? (46:41)

* How do we educate consumers and doctors about the value of balance rather than just strength? (49:42)

* The importance of having options (53:03)

* Why can’t we embrace the middy?? (57:53)

* High THC over long periods- could it have negative effects that we don’t know about yet? (60:52)

* The bucket analogy (62:50)

* Is there a THC sweet spot? (67:17)

* Where will Green Shepherd be in 5 years? (71:30)

* Camilo’s parting words of wisdom (77:40)

* Juan’s wise words about respect (78:43)

Shownotes:

* Sublime - Santeria

* AC/DC - If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)

* LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out

* Analysis of Cannabis Seizures in NSW, Australia: Cannabis Potency and Cannabinoid Profile

Where to find Green Shepherd:

* Email [email protected]

* Green Shepherd website

* Juan Angel on LinkedIn

* Camilo Cortissoz on LinkedIn

Where to find me:

* @AusCannaReviews on SubStack

* @AusCannaReviews on Instagram

* @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X

* Email [email protected]

* Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast

In this episode of the AusCannaPodcast, I sit down with Sacha La Forgia, Co-Founder of Golden Days Cultivators, to explore his unique journey from winemaking and distilling to producing top-tier medicinal cannabis. With a background as a qualified grape grower and multiple international awards, Sacha brings an artisan’s touch to cultivation—focusing on quality, craft, and precision.

His experience in fine wine and spirits has shaped the way he approaches cannabis, and in a rapidly evolving industry, his perspective offers something truly different. Whether you’re a cannabis connoisseur, a patient looking to understand more about quality cultivation, or someone who loves hearing stories of passion and innovation, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, we cover a lot of topics including:

* Rapid Fire (1:27)

* Who is Sacha? (15:19)

* What’s been the biggest lesson from the wine industry that Sacha has applied to cannabis? (23:20)

* If cannabis were treated like fine wine, would that change the way it’s sold and understood? (25:57)

* What was the spark that started Golden Days Cultivators? (27:46)

* The importance of taking your time and working through it (29:03)

* Specific cultivation techniques Golden Days Cultivators swears by… Controlling your environment (31:04)

* What defines “top-shelf” cannabis in Sacha’s opinion (33:24)

* You don’t know until you try. It doesn’t matter if it’s dating or cannabis (36:05)

* What role does sustainability play in Golden Days Cultivators’ growing methods? (38:47)

* Water, is anything special going on there? (41:45)

* Does Australian-grown cannabis have the potential to compete internationally? (45:33)

* How will small craft cultivators play a role in shaping the future of the industry? (46:25)

* Will we ever see cannabis with the same level of “connoisseurship” as fine wine? (49:42)

* If Sacha could change one policy to improve consumer education, what would it be? (52:21)

* What’s on the horizon for Golden Days Cultivators? (54:40)

* Sacha’s call to action (57:32)

Shownotes:

* Red Hot Chili Peppers - Road Trippin’

Where to Sacha:

* Email [email protected]

* @Sacha.LaFogia on Instagram

* Sacha on LinkedIn

* Golden Days Cultivators on LinkedIn

Where to find me:

* @AusCannaReviews on SubStack

* @AusCannaReviews on Instagram

* @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X

* Email [email protected]

* Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast

In this episode, I sit down with Dane Herbst—better known as Boof—the mastermind behind CannaBudGrow’s premium medicinal cannabis. As Head of Cultivation, Dane isn’t just growing plants; he’s shaping an industry, setting new quality standards, and ensuring patients get the best medicine possible. We talk about cultivation challenges, global cannabis markets, and what it takes to thrive in an evolving space. Plus, as always I put Dane in the hot seat with some wild rapid-fire questions!

In this episode, we cover a lot of topics including:

* Rapid Fire (1:30)

* Who is Dane Herbst (6:35)

* Where did Dane’s cannabis journey start(7:43)

* Challenges of growing cannabis in South Africa for a pharmaceutical market (9:08)

* The fine art of consistency (12:07)

* Why a hydro setup vs soil setup (13:40)

* Was it more difficult to first set up in South Africa or enter the Australian market? (15:17)

* Differences between what patients want in South Africa vs Australia (17:15)

* Eco-friendly farming practices (20:36)

* Surprising challenges along the way (23:59)

* Cannabis conversations out in the wild and with family (25:55)

* Boundry pushing ideas (31:26)

* Green (Legacy) genetics (33:33)

* Rethinking how to start “fresh” (37:00)

* CannaBudGrow’s plans for 2025 (39:53)

* Dane’s call to action (41:48)

Where to Dane:

* Email [email protected]

* @boof_enshmirtz on Instagram

Where to find me:

* @AusCannaReviews on SubStack

* @AusCannaReviews on Instagram

* @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X

* Email [email protected]

* Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast

I’m back for Season 3! Kicking things off with a bang, I’m sitting down with Brian Bain—an industry heavyweight with over 20 years in cannabis and 12 years in innovative agriculture. As CEO and Founder of Mother Labs, Brian has been at the forefront of genetic development, shaping some of the most exciting cultivars on the market today.

In this episode, we dive into the art and science of breeding top-tier genetics, the journey that led him here, and because you know I don’t do surface-level chats I put Brian on the spot by asking him about the discontinuation of one of my favourite cultivars, Miss Kim!

If you’re passionate about cannabis, innovation, or just love a damn good origin story, this is one you don’t want to miss.

We cover a lot of topics including:

* Rapid Fire (1:54)

* Who is Brian Bain (11:36)

* The need for seeds and how it’s blossomed (13:23)

* What does Brian look for when starting a pheno hunt (17:01)

* Flawless Victory… 5 years and 45 seeds (18:18)

* What is a Tissue Culture? (19:04)

* Is there a difference between what the medical market wants vs what the adult-use market? (21:33)

* Terpinolene and Ocimene are the perfect combination… for us (22:37)

* The need to diversify (23:14)

* If we could talk to doctors about improving the quality of life without the stigma (26:57)

* Lessons Australia can learn from the early days of Canada’s medical market (30:23)

* We owe a lot to BC bud (31:24)

* A cannabis rotation is like a top 100 playlist (39:24)

* Renaming of cultivars and the need to be truthful (42:21)

* Respect for the underground/closet growers (46:31)

* The importance of love and playing the long game (48:28)

* What is Mother Labs working on in 2025? (49:32)

* Shameless… #SavingMissKim (50:26)

* Brian’s parting nugget of information (55:14)

Show Notes:

* Mother Labs Website

Where to find Brian:

* Email [email protected]

* Brian on LinkedIn

* @Motherlabs on Instagram

Where to find me:

* @AusCannaReviews on SubStack

* @AusCannaReviews on Instagram

* @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X

* Email [email protected]

* Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast

2024 was a year of growth, connection, and unforgettable moments for the AusCannaPodcast! From rapid-fire questions that sparked laughter and deep insights to the immersive “On The Road” series that brought you closer to the cannabis community, this episode looks back at the highlights from my first two seasons. From listener favourites to a recap of the most downloaded episodes, join me as I reflect on an incredible year and set the stage for what’s to come in 2025.

In this episode:

* Mitch’s deep dive

* Adam’s thoughts on transparency

* Liz’s thoughts on CoA’s

* The most downloaded episode

* Looking forward to 2025

Where to find me:

* @AusCannaReviews on SubStack

* @AusCannaReviews on Instagram

* @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X

* Email [email protected]

* Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast

In this fun and fast-paced cross-collaboration episode of the AusCannaPodcast, I sit down with Andrew Dowling and Mitch Kurz from Phytoca for a lively chat that’s anything but business as usual.

Andrew, a passionate advocate for cannabis legalization, brings a sharp perspective to the tricky intersection of law, policy, and alternative medicine. Mitch, the entrepreneurial force behind Phytoca, is leading the charge in medicinal cannabis and breaking new ground with emerging therapies like psilocybin and MDMA.

Beyond their work at Phytoca, Andrew and Mitch co-host the AltMed Podcast, where they dive into the transformative world of natural therapies, especially medicinal cannabis. With over 115 episodes under their belt, they’ve mastered the art of blending education with a good dose of humor and curiosity.

This episode is full of laughs, surprising insights, and a rapid-fire round you won’t want to miss. It’s a refreshing detour from the usual format and one that’s guaranteed to keep you entertained!

In this episode, we cover a lot of topics including:

* Rapid Fire

* Christina’s background and why she started writing reviews

* We love your work… crickets

* AusCannaReviews long term goals

* Why Andrew and Mitch began the AltMed podcast

* How does Christina pick her flowers

* How to maximize terpene effects

* Nothing leftover vs A little here and there consumption methods

* Vaping vs Combustion

* Thoughts around Edibles

* Mitch asks the one question EVERYONE wants to know…

Show Notes:

* Samurai Pizza Cats

Where to find Andrew and Mitch:

* AltMed on YouTube

* AltMed on Spotify

* AltMed on Apple Podcast

* AltMed on LinkedIn

* AltMed on Facebook

* AltMed on Twitter/X

* AltMed on TikTok

Where to find me:

* @AusCannaReviews on SubStack

* @AusCannaReviews on Instagram

* @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X

* Email [email protected]

* Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast