Exploring the Clinical Side of Medical Cannabis with Dr. Hemant K. Bid

Cannabis Health Radio is excited to welcome Dr. Hemant Kumar Bid, a biomedical scientist, educator, and medical-cannabis specialist whose work spans oncology, cancer drug discovery, pharmacology, and emerging therapies.

Dr. Bid currently serves as Program Director for the Master of Science in Biotechnology and its Medical Cannabis Therapeutics concentration at Morehouse School of Medicine. As one of the nation’s historically Black medical institutions, Morehouse is known for advancing health equity, building a more diverse healthcare workforce, and improving care in historically underserved communities.

Dr. Bid is helping train the next generation of scientists and healthcare leaders to explore new therapies with curiosity, scientific rigor, cultural awareness, and compassion.

His Indian heritage also brings an important historical perspective to the conversation. Cannabis has been part of Indian culture and traditional practices for thousands of years. Preparations such as bhang have a longstanding place in Indian cultural and religious history, while ancient writings, including the Atharva Veda, contain early references to the plant.

Dr. Bid helps connect that long history with what modern science is discovering about cannabis and the human body.

In this episode, Dr. Bid discusses:

• What cancer actually is and how healthy cells can become rogue cells
• What scientists currently understand about cannabis, cannabinoids, and cancer
• What cannabis may—and may not—offer people living with cancer
• The potential role of cannabinoids in managing pain and nausea
• Cannabis and treatment-related anxiety and sleep difficulties
• Appetite loss and other quality-of-life challenges
• The importance of scientific evidence when evaluating medical cannabis
• How education and research are helping shape the future of cannabis therapeutics

Medical Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on Cannabis Health Radio are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Cannabis Health Radio, its hosts, producers, affiliates, or sponsors.

Cannabis Health Radio is not responsible for statements or opinions expressed by its guests. Nothing presented in this episode constitutes medical advice or a recommendation regarding what you should do.

This content is provided for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your health or medical decisions.

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Important Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on Cannabis Health Radio (CHR) are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of CHR, its hosts, producers, affiliates, or sponsors. CHR is not responsible for statements or opinions expressed by its guests.

Nothing presented in this episode constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or a recommendation regarding what you should do. This content is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your health, medical conditions, medications, or treatment decisions.

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Justin Kander is one of the original pioneers of the medical cannabis movement. From a young age, he was captivated not only by the cannabis plant itself, but by the science of transforming it into meaningful medicine.

With decades of experience in formulation, product development, patient advocacy, and cannabis science, Justin has helped shape some of the industry’s most respected medical cannabis brands.

His work has taken him around the world, collaborating with researchers, clinicians, and patients to advance the understanding and application of cannabis as medicine.

In this episode, Justin returns to Cannabis Health Radio to share insights from his lifelong journey in the field.

Together, we explore the evolving science of medical cannabis, lessons learned from years on the front lines, the development of cannabis-based formulations, and where the future of cannabis medicine may be headed.

You’re going to enjoy this conversation.

🎧 Episode 503 of Cannabis Health Radio

#CannabisHealthRadio #JustinKander #MedicalCannabis #CannabisScience

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Important Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on Cannabis Health Radio (CHR) are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of CHR, its hosts, producers, affiliates, or sponsors. CHR is not responsible for statements or opinions expressed by its guests.

Nothing presented in this episode constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or a recommendation regarding what you should do. This content is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your health, medical conditions, medications, or treatment decisions.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Survivor: Africa winner Ethan Zohn joins Rev. Dr. Robin Swan for a powerful conversation about cancer, cannabis, resilience and finding purpose after a life-changing diagnosis.

Ethan's life had already taken him from professional soccer to winning CBS's Survivor: Africa when, at age 35, he was diagnosed with a rare form of Hodgkin lymphoma. What followed was an intense medical journey involving chemotherapy, radiation, clinical trials and two stem cell transplants.

In this episode, Ethan shares his personal experience with medical cannabis and how it became part of the way he managed some of the physical and emotional challenges surrounding cancer treatment and recovery, including nausea, pain, sleep difficulties and anxiety.

Ethan and Robin also discuss the changing conversation around cannabis in professional sports, the importance of responsible education and advocacy, and why patients need honest information when making decisions about their health.

The conversation goes far beyond cancer.

Ethan explains how surviving a life-threatening illness reshaped his sense of purpose and strengthened his commitment to helping others. He discusses Grassroot Soccer, the nonprofit organization he co-founded that uses the power of soccer to improve the health and lives of young people around the world, as well as Kicking Back, his High Times series exploring the intersection of soccer, cannabis and community.

• Ethan's journey from professional soccer to winning Survivor: Africa
• Being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at age 35
• Chemotherapy, radiation, clinical trials and two stem cell transplants
• Ethan's personal experience using cannabis during cancer treatment and recovery
• Cannabis for nausea, pain, sleep and anxiety
• The emotional and psychological challenges of cancer survivorship
• How attitudes toward cannabis are changing in professional sports
• Cannabis education, responsible use and patient advocacy
• Turning personal crisis into purpose
• The story and mission behind Grassroot Soccer
• Ethan's Kicking Back series with High Times
• Soccer, cannabis and community
• Using lived experience to help others facing serious illness

Ethan Zohn:
https://ethanzohn.com

Grassroot Soccer:
https://grassrootsoccer.org

Visit:
https://cannabishealthradio.com

If this conversation could help someone you know, please share the episode.

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Important Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on Cannabis Health Radio (CHR) are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of CHR, its hosts, producers, affiliates, or sponsors. CHR is not responsible for statements or opinions expressed by its guests.

Nothing presented in this episode constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or a recommendation regarding what you should do. This content is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your health, medical conditions, medications, or treatment decisions.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sharon Letts is a national cannabis treasure, educator, and world-renowned writer whose deep love of plants and healing has shaped both her work and her personal journey.

A returning guest of Cannabis Health Radio, Sharon first joined the show in Episode 16. Now, in Episode 501, she returns to share reflections from her journey over the past 15 years and the wisdom she has gathered along the way.

Through years of writing, educating, and advocating, Sharon has remained deeply connected to the healing power of plants and to challenging the stigma surrounding cannabis.

When stigma becomes greater than the truth, Sharon Letts continues to be a voice of knowledge, experience, and wisdom that helps light the way.

Learn more about Sharon Letts and her work:
sharonletts.com

The views and opinions expressed by guests on Cannabis Health Radio are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of CHR, its hosts, producers, affiliates, or sponsors.

CHR is not responsible for statements or opinions expressed by its guests.

Nothing presented in this episode constitutes medical advice or a recommendation regarding what you should do. This content is provided for entertainment and informational purposes only.

Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your health or medical decisions.

Connect with Cannabis Health Radio

Visit us at CannabisHealthRadio.com

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Important Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on Cannabis Health Radio (CHR) are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of CHR, its hosts, producers, affiliates, or sponsors. CHR is not responsible for statements or opinions expressed by its guests.

Nothing presented in this episode constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or a recommendation regarding what you should do. This content is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your health, medical conditions, medications, or treatment decisions.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“I saw the light, and the light won.”

Born with cataracts and living with visual impairment for most of her life, Sage Amdahl never imagined that one unexpected experience would completely change the direction of her life.

In this milestone 500th episode of Cannabis Health Radio, Sage shares her remarkable journey of discovering cannabis, learning to trust her own body, and finding healing where traditional approaches had fallen short.

What began as a personal path toward wellness soon became something much bigger. Combining her passion for cannabis with her lifelong love of cooking, Sage created a business focused on crafting delicious infused treats designed with both care and purpose.

Episode 500 celebrates not only an important milestone for Cannabis Health Radio, but also the power of resilience, curiosity, and following a path that can change lives.

Connect with Sage:

https://www.facebook.com/sage.amdahl.3
https://www.facebook.com/420sageadvice

Cannabis Health Radio shares real stories from patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers and advocates exploring the therapeutic potential of cannabis and other plant medicines.

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Important Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on Cannabis Health Radio (CHR) are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of CHR, its hosts, producers, affiliates, or sponsors. CHR is not responsible for statements or opinions expressed by its guests.

Nothing presented in this episode constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or a recommendation regarding what you should do. This content is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your health, medical conditions, medications, or treatment decisions.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

• John Prinz shares his story of replacing 1,100 mg/day OxyContin with medical cannabis, positioning him as an early "patient zero" in opioid-to-cannabis transition.
• A 1992 workplace injury at Simpson Paper in Anderson, CA led to five spinal surgeries, hardware implantation, and a spinal cord injury diagnosis, setting the foundation for extreme opioid dependency.
• At peak dosage around 2004–2005, John was prescribed over 1,100 mg of OxyContin daily alongside 13 other medications — far exceeding the typical 20–40 mg average — before the opioid epidemic was officially recognized.
• Dr. Lester Grinspoon's book "Marijuana, the Forbidden Medicine" was the turning point, leading John to recognize opioids as legal heroin and motivating his decision to pursue cannabis as a replacement.
• Transition off opioids took approximately 18 months of withdrawal, during which John developed his cannabis olive oil formula "Fusatima" — progressing from smoking to edibles to concentrated olive oil infusions.
• Fusatima is made with 3 liters of Costco olive oil and 1 lb of high-quality cannabis, slow-cooked at 180°F; one tablespoon yields ~300 mg combined THCA/THC, with a full dose of 4 tablespoons twice daily reaching ~2,400 mg.
• Lower heat during preparation preserves more THCA (non-psychoactive), while higher heat converts it to THC — allowing dosage customization depending on whether patients want psychoactive effects.
• THCA capsules made from raw, unheated cannabis are recommended for patients who want pain relief without the high, broadening the formula's accessibility.
• Post-surgery use at UCSF in June 2025 demonstrated Fusatima's clinical viability — John used no opioids after his sixth back surgery, self-administering the formula four days post-op with his surgeon's awareness.
• John's pain doctor Dr. Michael H. Moskowitz documented cannabis use in monthly medical records from 2005 to 2021, and those papers have since been used to educate other patients and gain acceptance from Medicare and Social Security.
• Advocacy efforts included writing Senator Dianne Feinstein starting in 2009, which John credits as contributing to OxyContin's removal from the market by 2011–2015, and writing Senator Obama in 2007 requesting rescheduling.
• Fentanyl's rise on the streets is directly linked to forced opioid withdrawal — patients lost prescriptions without a sanctioned alternative, and cannabis remains underutilized due to stigma even among marijuana advocates.
• Trump's executive order rescheduling cannabis to Schedule III is seen as a pivotal moment, though pharmaceutical companies including Jazz Pharmaceutical (105 patents), Pfizer (25), and Bristol-Myers Squibb (36) are positioned to commercialize it.
• Getting Fusatima into pharmacies — regardless of who manufactures it, including potentially a Sackler-backed company — is the stated goal, as insurance reimbursement only becomes possible once it reaches the pharmacy system.
• Core takeaway: growing your own cannabis is the most reliable path to access and affordability — patients who don't grow will struggle to maintain supply, and self-sufficiency is framed as the foundation of medical freedom.

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Important Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on Cannabis Health Radio (CHR) are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of CHR, its hosts, producers, affiliates, or sponsors. CHR is not responsible for statements or opinions expressed by its guests.

Nothing presented in this episode constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or a recommendation regarding what you should do. This content is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your health, medical conditions, medications, or treatment decisions.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

• Chronic pain originated from genetic degenerative disc disease after the birth of her second child, leading to muscle spasms, failed artificial disc implant (FDA trial), spinal fusion, and permanent nerve damage in both legs.
• At peak pharmaceutical use, Shelley was on approximately seven medications — including pain, antidepressant, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and panic medications — with five taken daily.
• Side effects from pharmaceuticals included nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, hair loss, poor nail and dental health, and chronic lack of deep sleep.
• Cannabis was first introduced by her Colorado chronic pain specialist, who permitted concurrent use with pain medication; she began with edibles primarily to address severe appetite loss and weight loss.
• Beyond appetite, cannabis progressively reduced anxiety, stress, and other symptoms, surprising Shelley given her Gen X perception of it as a "stoner drug."
• Her doctor's indictment for Medicare fraud in Colorado — abandoning 250+ patients overnight and destroying records — forced a pivotal choice; she opted to transition fully to cannabis rather than restart the pharmaceutical advocacy process.
• Going cold turkey off pain medication in 2020 was manageable partly because cannabis had already built mental resilience, contrasting with pharmaceuticals which she felt made her mentally unstable.
• Shelley noted it took approximately five years after stopping pharmaceuticals to feel chemically different — lighter and healed — underscoring the long-term impact of pharmaceutical residue.
• A spinal cord stimulator implanted roughly seven years into her chronic pain journey provided ~40% pain relief via leads and an internal battery; the leads are now burning out but she has decided against replacement surgery due to prior nerve damage risk.
• Current cannabis regimen: ~50mg hybrid edible (CBD/CBN blend) each morning plus smoking at night for relaxation and sleep, with the ability to self-regulate dosage by cutting down without withdrawal.
• Stigma encountered from her generation includes perceptions of cannabis as a lazy, unmotivated, or gateway drug — compounded by prior stigma as a chronic pain patient during the opioid epidemic.
• Cannabis is credited with delivering mental clarity and stability, directly countering the common misconception that it causes fogginess or impaired thinking.
• Chronic pain described as an all-consuming mental battle; cannabis enabled Shelley to stay present and mentally strong rather than constantly focused on pain — a key quality-of-life shift.
• Reflecting on her journey, Shelley's core message is to open the door to cannabis sooner, while acknowledging that everything happens in its own time.

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Important Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on Cannabis Health Radio (CHR) are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of CHR, its hosts, producers, affiliates, or sponsors. CHR is not responsible for statements or opinions expressed by its guests.

Nothing presented in this episode constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or a recommendation regarding what you should do. This content is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your health, medical conditions, medications, or treatment decisions.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.