Many people are looking to cut down on the booze, and cannabis may be a great choice. What are the different health risks for cannabis vs. alcohol? How can alcohol be used as a psychoactive and social substitute? On this episode, we dive into the two most commonly used intoxicating substances to answer the question: Is cannabis safer than alcohol?

The US is a stressful place to be right now. Economic, social and political unrest may make you feel like staying in bed with the covers pulled over your head. But, most of us have to still get up and get shit done. Cannabis is a popular plant for coping with stress, trauma and grief, but where is the line between treating emotional pain and avoiding growth? In this episode, we talk about cannabis as a coping tool. When is it useful? How can it help? And what are the risks of avoiding the sometimes painful work needed to heal?

Hindsight is 20/20, and those of us who have been using cannabis for several decades have learned some things about how to interact with the plant. Some of those lessons were tough (edibles overdose anyone?). We're here to make sure your experiences with cannabis are as safe, fun and beneficial as they can be from the very beginning. So get ready for some plant-based wisdom as we tell you what we WISH we had known about cannabis!

Cannabis has long been accused of robbing consumers of their intelligence. Reinforced by stoner stereotypes in movies and TV, this claim has morphed into terms like "a-motivational syndrome" and "the developing brain". Is there any truth the the connection between cannabis use and intelligence? Carl Sagan, Rick Steves and others would say no, and yet, this is still used as a talking point to discourage legalization. In this episode, we explore the history of the weed = stupidity claim, and how it presents in today's world. We'll get into the research, and, as always, provide a balanced view.

This isn’t your parents’ marijuana! From brickweed to schwag, many of us old enough to remember watching Cheech and Chong movies remember the low grade reefer that used to come in small baggies. When a quarter ounce actually cost $25, and you could roll a Bob Marley bomber and just get a mild buzz. In today’s dispensary marketplace, we see cannabis advertised as being upwards of 30% THC, and that means a much stronger bang for your buck. Why and how has potency increased over the years? What does this mean for consumption habits and potential risks?

Curious about cannabis but nervous to try it? Decades of propaganda and fear based messaging about the plant can leave some people concerned about its effects. At the root of it all is the question, what if I just don't like feeling high? Like a roller coaster, you can't just get off if you decide you don't like it, you have to ride it out. Where does this fear come from and what can you do to make sure your first ride with cannabis is smooth and enjoyable? We get into those questions and more on this episode of The Truth About the Plant!

Cannabis topicals are an ancient way of using the plant. Today, they have been touted as treatments for pain, inflammation, wounds, skin issues, and a myriad of other health concerns. But, do they actually work? In this week's episode, we get into topicals. What are they, how are they made, and do they live up to the hype?

International Women's Month may be over, but its always a good time to talk about gender oppression and liberation! There are long held expectations about a woman's role and her place in society. The idea of women using any intoxicating substance has been frowned upon due to the assumptions that she is the caretaker of children and her husband, and that the use of such substances may lead her to question this role and the entire basis of the patriarchy. In this episode, we get into why and how women have been discouraged from using substances like cannabis, the role of paternalism, and what YOU can do to shake things up.

Cannabis, sex and intimacy. Are they related? You bet! Cannabis can help enhance the sexual experience, especially for women, through biological and psychological effects. Let's face it, women's sexual enjoyment usually takes a back seat when it comes to prioritizing research and health products. Cannabis not only has the effect of increasing blood flow and muscle relaxation to certain parts of the body, its psychological effects can encourage intimacy and openness to the sexual experience. Learn more about cannabis and sex on this week's episode of The Truth About the Plant!

Cannabis has been used as a medicine for thousands of years. But, in modern American times, "medicine" is defined as something that is FDA approved. The Schedule I status of cannabis stating it has no medical value has been a huge barrier to making clinical studies accessible for researchers. And while there have been some cannabinoid based drugs approved by the FDA, it remains an uphill battle. Scientist Hunter Land, PhD is back this week as helps us answer the question: How does cannabis become FDA approved?