Reefer MEDness

Can you celebrate a wedding with cannabis without making it all about getting high?Reverend Kelly returns to Reefer MEDness to explore cannabis weddings, infused dining, spiritual ceremonies, and cannabis-friendly events. Discover how cannabis chefs create personalized wedding menus, how couples accommodate guests who don't consume cannabis, and why THC, CBD, and spirituality can play different roles in a ceremony.We also discuss Ontario versus Manitoba cannabis regulations, cannabis tourism, Jamaica's cultural traditions, and the surprising idea of a hemp wedding dress.Join pharmacist Trevor Shewfelt and nurse Kirk Nyquist for a fascinating conversation about cannabis, connection, and modern wedding traditions.Listen now!KGL Network - websiteReverend Kelly - LinkedInCanadian Cannabis Tourism Alliance - websiteAdditional Music:Desiree Dorion desireedorion.comMarc Clement - FacebookTranscripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

Cannabis at a wedding?Cannabis bouquets, infused mocktails, and spiritual ceremonies—welcome to the world of cannabis weddings! Reverend Kelly joins Reefer MEDness to explore cannabis spirituality, her journey from educator to cannabis entrepreneur, and her vision for cannabis-friendly weddings in Ontario, Canada and beyond. Trevor and Kirk also examine how cannabis laws differ between Manitoba and Ontario, and what those differences mean for hosting cannabis events. Can cannabis really become part of your big day?Discover the surprising intersection of love, legalization, and cannabis culture in Part 1!KGL Network - websiteReverend Kelly - LinkedInCanadian Cannabis Tourism Alliance - websiteAdditional Music:Desiree Dorion desireedorion.comMarc Clement - FacebookTranscripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

Why do medical cannabis patients quit before discovering whether cannabis can help them?Israeli cannabis pioneer Gil Luxenburg introduces Wizdom Circles, a personalized cannabis coaching system that focuses on patients, not their diagnoses.His Wizdom Circles bring together patients, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, family members, and trained cannabis coaches to develop individualized treatment plans. We explore how patient education, careful cannabis dosing, symptom journaling, medication safety, and regular follow-ups can help patients understand their treatment and make informed decisions.In Part 3 of our conversation, we explore cannabis dosing, symptom journaling, product consistency, medication safety, and how doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and caregivers can work together to support patients.Trevor and Kirk also discuss whether this patient-centered approach could work within Canada's medical cannabis system.Listen now to learn why successful medical cannabis treatment takes more than a prescription.Gil Luxenbourg - websiteGil Luxenbourg - LinkedInAdditional Music:Desiree Dorion desireedorion.comMarc Clement - FacebookTranscripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

Can your nose change your cannabis high?Our conversation with cannabis researcher and patient advocate Gil Luxemburg continues in Part 2. Gil's journey involves helping people all over the world get access to medicinal cannabis, but in a surprising turn, he also challenges what we think we know about terpenes, THC, and the entourage effect. Could smell, memory, and expectations explain some perceived cannabis effects?Gil also shares his remarkable experiences influencing medical cannabis policy in the Czech Republic and researching thousands of cannabis plants in Bulgaria.Join Trevor and Kirk Nyquist as they explore an intriguing, still-unproven hypothesis that could change how we think about cannabis aromas and effects.Listen now!Gil Luxenbourg - websiteGil Luxenbourg - LinkedInAdditional Music:Desiree Dorion desireedorion.comMarc Clement - FacebookTranscripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

How did Israel’s medical cannabis Patient 7 become an advocate and educator?Gil Luxenbourg developed severe Crohn’s disease during his Israeli military service. After conventional treatments failed, he received the extraordinary suggestion from a military gastroenterologist: try cannabis.In Part 1, Gil explains his journey to becoming one of Israel’s first licensed medical cannabis patients, helping establish the Israel Medical Cannabis Association, and educating patients and healthcare professionals about safer cannabis use. He discusses why poor dosing and bad first experiences caused many patients to quit—and shares a powerful warning about why patients should always tell their healthcare team about cannabis use.Listen now for a remarkable story about medical cannabis, patient advocacy, education, stigma, and the early evolution of Israel’s cannabis system.Gil Luxenbourg - websiteGil Luxenbourg - LinkedInAdditional Music:Desiree Dorion desireedorion.comMarc Clement - FacebookTranscripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

Can cannabis help pets?In Part 2 of our conversation with veterinary technician and Inspired Pet Wellness founder Sandi Krusik van Bommel, we explore the sometimes confusing world of cannabis, CBD, THC, and pet wellness. Sandi explains what responsible cannabinoid use can look like for pets, why accidental ingestion is different from therapeutic use, and why pet owners need to consider more than THC alone when a dog gets into an edible.We dig into THC toxicity in dogs. Sandi makes the important distinction between something being toxic versus lethal. Trevor and Kirk expand on the discussion from their pharmacist and nursing perspectives, including why an animal’s underlying health can change the seriousness of an accidental exposure.Confused by terms such as CBD isolate, cannabinoid blends, and full-spectrum cannabis products? Sandi offers a memorable “chicken soup” analogy: an isolate is like chicken and broth, while adding vegetables, herbs, spices, and noodles resembles combining multiple cannabis constituents. Trevor and Kirk use the analogy to explore the complexity—and the art—of cannabinoid therapy.Listen now to learn what every cannabis-using pet household should know about cannabinoids, accidental exposure, and responsible pet wellness.Inspired Pet Wellness - websiteSandi Krucik-van Bommel - LinkedInAdditional Music:Desiree Dorion desireedorion.comMarc Clement - FacebookTranscripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

Can CBD and cannabis have a place in pet wellness?Trevor and Kirk talk with Sandi Krusik van Bommel of Inspired Pet Wellness, a registered veterinary technician, canine rehabilitation therapist and certified veterinary cannabis consultant.Sandi's cannabis origin story involves caring for her injured senior dog. After many false starts, Sandi's quest to help her fur baby led her into the world of veterinary cannabis. She tells us all of our pets have an endocannabinoid system, why not all CBD products are created equal, and how cannabinoids, terpenes, broad-spectrum products work together in the entourage effect.In one of Trevor's new favorite analogies, find out why Sandy compares choosing a cannabis formulation to making chicken soup.Discover what pet parents should understand about the evolving world of CBD, cannabis and animal wellness.Inspired Pet Wellness - websiteSandi Krucik-van Bommel - LinkedInAdditional Music:Desiree Dorion desireedorion.comMarc Clement - FacebookTranscripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

Can cannabinoids really work through the skin?In Part 2 of our conversation with Ripley and Jill of Blunt Botanicals, Trevor and Kirk dig into CBD, CBG, terpenes, and cannabinoid skincare. What is the science, formulation, and business potential behind cannabis topicals?.The conversation gets practical with Blunt Botanicals’ cooling topical formulated with CBD and CBG. Rapid Cryo uses menthol, wintergreen, terpenes, and other ingredients designed to create a layered cooling sensation. Jill explains the thinking behind pairing cannabinoids with specific botanical ingredients and terpene profiles. Ripley discusses why the company focuses on products that can fit into everyday life without intoxication. They also explore cannabinoid-infused bath products, emulsification, formulation choices, and why avoiding an oily bathtub may be more important than it sounds, especially as we get older.We look beyond formulation to the future of the category. Ripley discusses the growth potential Blunt Botanicals sees in cannabis topicals, upcoming Rapid Cryo format, skincare products, and the challenge of educating consumers about an often-overlooked cannabis category.Listen now for a mix of cannabis science, formulation chemistry, entrepreneurship, and the occasional joke about smelling like wintergreen.Blunt Botanicals - websiteRipley Halfyard - LinkedInJill Provencal - LinkedInAdditional Music:Desiree Dorion desireedorion.comMarc Clement - FacebookTranscripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

What happens when a personal mission becomes a cannabis skincare company? Trevor and Kirk meet Jill Provencal and returning guest Ripley Halfyard of Alberta-based Blunt Botanicals.Jill shares how helping a close friend dealing with breast cancer, pain and radiation-related skin problems helped inspire her journey into formulation and cannabis topicals. Ripley brings years of experience in cannabis licensing, compliance and business development.They explore Blunt Botanicals, Cosmic Cannabis and HipBees, along with natural ingredients, from-scratch formulation, white-label manufacturing and the importance of building a women-owned workplace that supports caregivers.Listen now for the story behind the products—and the people creating them.Blunt Botanicals - websiteRipley Halfyard - LinkedInJill Provencal - LinkedInAdditional Music:Desiree Dorion desireedorion.comMarc Clement - FacebookTranscripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

In this episode, Kirk and Trevor review “The Cannabis Cancer Connection” by Dr. Joe D. Goldstrich. Dr. Joe is a cardiologist who, in his retirement, became a self-descripted “cannabis oncologist”. He now applies pre-clinical cannabis research and his years of expertise and patient experience to his clinical cannabis practice. In his book, Dr. Joe discusses the “Art” of practicing medicine within an evidence-based system. He discusses the limitations of the available science behind medicinal cannabis, while at the same time challenging the medical system to recognize the plant’s potential. He has had successes and failures using cannabis as a therapeutic in cancer care and offers a balanced view of both. This book offers a good introduction to both cannabis and cancer, and will help individuals and families to better understand how cannabis can help those suffering from the disease. Dr. Joe also takes the reader deeper by applying the available knowledge and connecting it to his clinical practice making this a valuable resource to those practicing in the field of oncology.Dr. Joe Goldstrich - The Cannabis Cancer Connection AmazonAnd although it had nothing to do with our discussion, but it is immensely cool that Dr. Joe was in the hospital when JFK was being treated post-Dealey Plaza. He is even in a documentary about that! - JFK: What the Doctors Saw (Amazon) Music by:John Lennon - Imagine - YouTubeAdditional Music:Desiree Dorion desireedorion.comMarc Clement - FacebookTranscripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca