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?

CBD is the molecule of the moment. Countless products on the shelf in grocery stores, beauty stores and even gas stations contain this cannabis plant phenom. And, research supports that CBD has numerous therapeutic qualities for seizures, anxiety and inflammation. But what exactly is CBD? How does it work in the body and is the dose in the average product even high enough to have a therapeutic effect? In this week's episode, we welcome Hunter Land, PhD as we answer the question: What is CBD?

If you live in a state with a hemp market, you have likely seen products advertised as having THCA. In the ever evolving world of intoxicating hemp products and legal loopholes, new ways of describing and creating THC continue to grow. Unlike other common molecules in these products like Delta 8 THC, THCA is actually found in the plant, and is in the buds sold in legal cannabis dispensaries as well as the hemp products found online. But what is THCA? Will it get you high? Show up on a drug test? Does it have therapeutic properties? We get into all that and more on this week's episode!

There is no shortage of CBD hype out there. From gloves, to pillows to miracle creams, the number of wellness products claiming the benefits of CBD has grown every year. But is it all just marketing hype? What is the science behind the skin care benefits of CBD and how can you be sure the product you buy has CBD in it at all? This week we dive into one of the biggest trends in beauty to answer the question: Is CBD good for skin care?

Let's face it, until pretty recently, the only discussion of health and well being for women over 40 was how to prevent wrinkles. Times have changed, and cannabis companies like Hello Again are leading the way in natural remedies for the symptoms of menopause and period pain. What is the best way to treat these symptoms and how does cannabis get to the root of the problem? This week we welcome Hello Again CEO Lisa Williams to answer the question: Can cannabis help with menopause?

Cannabis has been a part of the vacation experience, well, forever. But what used to take place in a hotel room with a towel stuffed under the door, has evolved into consumption lounges, retreats, outdoor adventures and culinary experiences, all incorporating our favorite herb. This week we are thrilled to welcome one of the top experts on cannabis tourism, Brian Applegarth to explore this emerging sector of travel, as we answer the question: What is Cannabis Tourism?

The disastrous fires in LA are a reminder about the impacts of a changing climate. The concept of climate change may feel overwhelming and hopeless. But, there are things that everyone can do to lessen the impact of our lifestyles on the earth's resources. And this extends to cannabis. Being mindful about how the cannabis you consume is grown, and how to reduce the waste you produce through packaging and products like vape pens are an easy way to do your part. Learn more about how to make eco-friendly cannabis choices on this week's episode of The Truth About the Plant!

New Years time! And while I am not one for resolutions (too much pressure!) I do think the new year is a good time to take stock of our lives and think about how we might improve our health and well being. Cannabis is a powerful medicine, but habitual use isn't always the best way to get the most out of the plant. In this episode, we give some practical, harm reduction based tips on how to evaluate your relationship with cannabis and bring it into better balance in 2025!

For some, the holidays are an uplifting time filled with family, events and cheer. But, for others, even the jingliest of bells and the starriest of nights do not lift the experience of depression. Depression is common during the holiday time for many reasons, including feelings of isolation, social overwhelm and disconnection. For some, cannabis has been a beneficial route for dealing with depression, for others, the plant can make things worse. So, let’s get into it, can cannabis treat depression?

It’s that time of the year again! Family and friends gather together with food, wine and…cannabis? Now that cannabis is legal in more places and becoming a more acceptable form of libation, you, as a consumer, may find yourself the resident herbal expert at your holiday table. What’s more, there may be people in your life who could benefit from cannabis, but you just haven’t had the chance to bring it up to them. No time like the present? So, how should people talk to their families and friends about cannabis?

Its holiday time! Parties, family, food and...stress. The extra socializing, planning and carbs brings on added stress for many people. And you may be thinking about using cannabis to help you chill out this holiday season. Many people use cannabis to reduce stress, but if you don't know how to choose the right product and adjust your dose for your set and setting, you actually may end up feeling MORE anxious, and no one wants to spend the holiday party feeling overwhelmed. In this episode, we give you all the info you need to choose the right product and the right dose and have a very merry cannabis infused holiday!