Beyond The Script

"We didn't set up a cannabis clinic. We set up a healthcare clinic that used cannabis as a medication."That distinction is everything; in this episode of Beyond the Script, Releaf's CEO Tim Kirby explains what he saw in a broken market, how he built the team and culture behind the UK's largest medical cannabis clinic, and what the job is really about.Tim talks about entering a space dominated by people who thought medical cannabis was a political cause, not a healthcare solution, and why that gap was the entire opportunity. He also gets into what leadership actually looks like from the inside, what he hopes every Releaf employee gets to experience one day, and why he believes the culture you have is the culture you deserve.

Can medical cannabis get you high? Will it show up on a drug test? And what happens if you're a nurse?In Episode 2 of Beyond the Script, Dr. Shereen Rafee, Releaf Consultant & Oncologist, and Rupa Shah, Releaf's Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, tackle the questions patients most want answered. From understanding the real difference between THC and CBD, to knowing your rights at work, driving restrictions, and why Releaf doesn't prescribe THC gummies - this episode is the honest, practical guide every patient (and curious outsider) needs.Whether you're considering a Releaf consultation, thinking about switching clinics, or just want to know what's actually in your prescription - this one's for you!About ReleafLaunched in 2024, Releaf is the UK's fastest-growing and one of the most-trusted* medical cannabis clinics, serving patients through its advanced healthtech platform.With a prescriber network of over 60 specialists, we deliver evidence-based cannabinoid care directly to patients' homes through tailored treatment plans.Fully integrated with NHS systems, Releaf has transformed access to medical cannabis treatment in the UK and is now expanding internationally.*According to Trustpilot.Learn more at www.releaf.co.uk

Cannabis as a Medicine: A GP's Honest ExperienceFeaturing:Dr Katherine Fitch, Releaf Consultant & GPGraham Woodward, Chief Medical Officer @ ReleafAbout This Episode:In this episode of Beyond the Script, our Chief Medical Officer Graham Woodward sits down with Dr Katherine Fitch, a practising GP who also consults at Releaf, to talk about what really changed when she started prescribing medical cannabis to her patients. From the preconceptions she carried from medical school to the life-changing results she's seen at Releaf firsthand, this is an honest look at what happens when a doctor opens the door to a different kind of medicine.In This Episode:• How Dr Fitch's experience at Releaf challenged everything she was taught about cannabis• The Releaf patient stories that shifted a GP's perspective• Why up to 80% of the UK still don't know medical cannabis is available on prescription• What's missing from medical school training when it comes to cannabis• Why patients aren't telling their GPs about their medical cannabis prescriptions, and why that matters• How Releaf's doctors went from "I'll try 8 hours a week" to working full-timeAbout ReleafLaunched in 2024, Releaf is the UK's fastest-growing and one of the most-trusted* medical cannabis clinics, serving patients through its advanced healthtech platform.With a prescriber network of over 60 specialists, we deliver evidence-based cannabinoid care directly to patients' homes through tailored treatment plans.Fully integrated with NHS systems, Releaf has transformed access to medical cannabis treatment in the UK and is now expanding internationally.*According to Trustpilot.Learn more at https://releaf.co.uk/

EP6 - What does purpose-driven leadership look like inside a fast-growing medical cannabis clinic?In this special edition of the Business of Cannabis Podcast, Tim Kirby, CEO of Releaf, sits down with Professor Chris Shambrook, renowned performance psychologist and long-time advisor to the British Olympic rowing team. Together, they unpack how high-performance principles drawn from elite sport can translate into more intentional, human-centred healthcare leadership.From scaling teams with clarity to balancing compliance with compassion, this episode explores how Releaf is redefining what good leadership looks like in modern medicine, and why purpose can’t be an afterthought when the stakes are this high.Chapters:00:00 Beyond The Script with Chris Shambrook00:51 High Performance Frameworks and Cultures02:55 Results vs. Performance06:32 Behaviour Commitment and Performance09:30 Consistency and Marginal Gains in Sport18:31 Leadership and Management in Growing Organisations21:35 The Single Patient Focus22:56 Spreading Confidence and Knowledge25:05 Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose27:10 Creating a High-Performance Culture31:47 Practical Steps for Development36:34 Wrap UpFollow us:InstagramTikTokTwitterLinkedinreleaf.co.uk

EP5 - Join COO of Releaf, Graham Woodward, and Dr Anne Katrin Schlag, Head of Research at Drug Science, as they explore how the UK can move from anecdotal patient stories to real-world evidence, and why this shift is vital for expanding safe, trusted access to cannabis-based medicines.Let's rethink healTHCare.Chapters:00:00 Beyond The Script with Anne Schlag00:19 Meet Anne: Pioneering Medical Cannabis Research01:00 The Role of Drug Science in Medical Cannabis02:30 T21 Real World Data Registry Insights03:29 Key Findings and Patient Outcomes07:05 Challenges and Future Directions in Medical Cannabis09:56 Educational Efforts and Policy Changes15:17 International Perspectives and Best Practices20:25 The Importance of Patient Stories and Public Outreach24:58 Wrap UpFollow us:InstagramTikTokTwitterLinkedinreleaf.co.uk

EP4 - Tim Kirby, CEO of Releaf and Michael Sassano, CEO and Chairman of the Board with SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals discuss strategies for expanding the medical cannabis market in the UK. They highlight the challenges in the current market, such as patient accessibility and supply chain issues, emphasise the importance of vertical integration and advanced extraction techniques to ensure product quality and consistency. They also talk about the significance of catering to the 'cannabis naive' demographic through more accessible product forms like oils, soft gel capsules and pastilles. The conversation underscores the necessity of educating doctors and patients about these products to expand the market while maintaining high standards of quality and patient care. Audio Chapters:00:00 Beyond The Script with Michael Sassano00:26 Challenges in the Medical Cannabis Market01:02 Supply Chain and Quality Assurance01:41 Cannabis Extraction Techniques02:12 Market Evolution and Technology03:55 Product Development and Standards13:20 Patient Experience and Feedback16:40 Global Market Insights19:47 Next Generation Soft Gel Release20:13 Planning for Future Product Releases20:19 Faster Absorbing Soft Gels20:36 Understanding Doctor and Patient Needs21:26 Trends in Medical Cannabis Prescriptions22:29 Global Market Trends and Product Diversity24:53 Educational Experiences for Doctors26:27 Building Trust and Confidence in Cannabis Products30:06 The Importance of Independent Clinics35:52 Future Prospects and Market EvolutionFollow us:InstagramTikTokTwitterLinkedinreleaf.co.uk

EP3 - In this special edition episode, Releaf COO Graham Woodward sits down with cannabinoid pharmacologist Professor Saoirse O’Sullivan to explore whether our current approach to cannabis-based treatment is truly evidence-led or built on outdated myths. From the science behind THC and CBD to the truth about the entourage effect, this episode challenges assumptions and asks what it takes to get cannabis medicine right.Spotify Video Chapters:00:00 Beyond The Script with Saoirse O’Sullivan01:00 Understanding the Endocannabinoid System03:07 Tailoring Treatments with Cannabinoid Science04:35 Exploring Minor Phytocannabinoids07:10 Real-World Evidence and Clinical Trials09:18 Pharmaceutical Insights and Future Directions17:02 The Entourage Effect19:23 Future of Cannabinoid Treatments23:33 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFollow us:InstagramTikTokTwitterLinkedinreleaf.co.uk

EP2 - Robert Jappie, partner at Fieldfisher LLP and Tim Kirby, CEO at Releaf unpack the challenges and opportunities shaping the UK’s medical cannabis landscape, from the slow-moving regulatory environment to the urgent need for patient-focused innovation.Key topics include:- Why the UK's medical cannabis framework has barely shifted since legalisation in 2018- The bottlenecks across cultivation, distribution and clinical access- How education and reduced stigma are slowly driving patient growth- What the UK can learn from Germany’s market- The future: cannabis oils, vape cartridges and engaging the 'cannabis-naive"Spotify Video Chapters:00:00 Beyond The Script with Robert Jappie00:46 Understanding the Regulatory Landscape02:11 The Four Stages of the Supply Chain03:37 The 2018 Legislation and Its Impact05:22 Challenges and Opportunities in the Industry06:29 Robert's Background and Expertise08:14 THC Regulations and Industry Struggles10:31 The Role of Regulators and Compliance17:28 Supply Chain Improvements and Future Outlook20:02 Addressing the Cannabis Market20:22 Releaf's Approach to Medical Cannabis21:47 Challenges in the UK Cannabis Market23:24 Building Trust and Patient Advocacy25:10 Innovative Delivery Methods29:51 The Dispensary Model and Legalisation33:39 Lessons from the German Market36:51 Future Prospects and Legal ChallengesFollow us:InstagramTikTokTwitterLinkedinreleaf.co.uk

EP1 - CEOs Tim Kirby of Releaf and James Duckenfield of Glass Pharm sat down to discuss the ever-evolving UK medical cannabis sector. In 2024, we joined forces with Glass Pharms in the UK's largest ever medical cannabis deal, providing Releaf patients with a consistent, high-quality supply of domestic grown CBPMs. As one of the most-trusted #medicalcannabis clinics in the UK, our incredible patient advocacy and patient testimonials are in great part attributed to the quality of medication that we provide our patients with from Glass Pharms.Key topics include:How we are tackling the evolving regulatory landscapeHow we are empowering our doctorsHow we are educating a wider community about the benefits of medical cannabisSpotify Video Chapters:00:00 Beyond The Script with James Duckenfield00:42 Challenges in the UK Medical Cannabis Market01:45 Building a Reliable Supply Chain03:34 Scientific Approach to Medical Cannabis04:34 Raising Funds and Overcoming Stigma07:55 Consistency and Quality in Medical Cannabis09:59 Innovative Cultivation Techniques15:13 Patient Experiences and Market Growth24:13 Data-Driven Medical Cannabis Solutions28:24 Ensuring Consistency in Medical Cannabis Production29:03 The Importance of Tissue Culture in Cannabis Cultivation30:15 Trust and Quality in Medical Cannabis Clinics31:15 Eco-Friendly Practices in Cannabis Production34:52 Addressing Patient Needs in Medical Cannabis Market39:33 Education and Awareness in Medical Cannabis45:18 The Safety and Efficacy of Medical Cannabis50:25 Future Vision and Regulatory ChallengesFollow us:InstagramTikTokTwitterLinkedinreleaf.co.uk