In this episode of the Canna Curious Podcast, Kyla sits down with Crystal from Northern Rivers Hemp to unpack her inspiring journey from working in the disability sector to running a 75-acre hemp farm in Nimbin with her husband. Crystal shares how a hemp license unexpectedly arrived in the mail during the pandemic, sparking a complete career pivot and eventually leading to the creation of a hemp farming co-op.

Together we explore:

• What hemp really is, and the differences between hemp, CBD, and THC
• Crystal’s path into farming, leaving the disability sector, starting from scratch, and building community
• The Northern Rivers Hemp Co-op and how local farmers pooled skills to create products and opportunities
• Policy change and advocacy, including Crystal’s role in the NSW Hemp Task Force and her work with politicians
• Hemp-based wellness and beauty products, and why hemp can be used topically in Australia but not ingested
• Bee-friendly farming practices and the importance of protecting native stingless bees
• Hemp in building materials, from hempcrete houses to Jason’s new hemp building certification
• A rare cannabinoid, CBL, discovered in Northern Rivers crops and possibly unique to the region

Why listen
This is more than a farming story. It is about community, resilience, and the future of hemp in Australia. Whether you are curious about plant medicine, sustainability, or rural entrepreneurship, Crystal’s story shows what is possible when passion meets persistence.

Resources and Links

• Visit the Northern Rivers Hemp Shop in Nimbin’s main street
• Follow Northern Rivers Hemp on social media for updates on hemp farming, products, and advocacy. @northernrivershemp
• State Senator for LCP Jeremy Buckingham @cannabisjeremy
• Learn more about hemp building: Australian Hemp Masonry Company https://www.hempmasonry.com.au/
• Stingless Bee Buzz @stingless_bee_buzz

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Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

Disclaimer:
We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice. Everything shared here is based on our personal lived experiences and the stories of others. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.

When Christie's husband, Lei, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, life as they knew it turned upside down. With two young boys, a global plandemic unfolding, and a devastating diagnosis, their family was thrust into a whirlwind of hospitals, misdiagnoses, and impossible decisions.

In this conversation, Christie shares openly about:

• The early symptoms that were missed and the persistence it took to finally get answers.
• The harsh realities of cancer care, from mis-prescribed chemo to navigating genetic testing.
• How faith and community anchored them through moments of crisis.
• The turning point when the plant became part of Lei’s care - improving appetite, easing pain, and helping him regain quality of life.
• What it meant to provide palliative care at home, and bringing Lei’s body home after his passing.
• The lessons she’s carried forward about advocacy, honesty with children, and finding strength you don’t know you have.
• Lei’s message for anyone walking through illness: Don’t stop living.

This is a tender, powerful episode about love, resilience, and redefining what care can look like. Whether you’re navigating illness, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking perspective, Christy’s story will leave you with both hope and grounding.

You can find Christie @christie_ahfa

✨ Resources & Mentions:

• Genomics genetic testing for chemo/medicine compatibility https://www.genomicdiagnostics.com.au/tests/pharmacogenomics#order
• Information on pancreatic cancer: PanKind Foundation – The Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.https://pankind.org.au

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

Disclaimer:
We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice. Everything shared here is based on our personal lived experiences and the stories of others. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.

In this episode, I take you on a journey through the history of cannabis prohibition, from the powerful industries and political figures who drove it, to the propaganda and international treaties that locked it in place.

This is not a deep academic lecture, but a story about how we got here and why a plant that was once widely used for pain, sleep, women’s health, and everyday ailments became criminalised across much of the world.

We’ll look at:

• The early uses of cannabis in medicine and daily life
• Harry Anslinger’s role in pushing prohibition, and why he was not acting alone
• The influence of industry, media, and racism in shaping public fear
• Australia’s own prohibition history, from Smith’s Weekly headlines to Hunter Valley “weed raiders” and beyond
• Why prohibition was never about health or safety, but about profit, power, and control

By the end of this episode, you’ll see why I believe it is time to give the plant back to the people.

Resources and Further Reading

The Joke Dr John Jiggens - couldn't find a link to this but I got mine at The Hemp Embassy in Nimbin.

Owen Smith Legalising Cannabis Extracts, Edibles in the Supreme Court of Canada

1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and later UN treaties

Le Dain Commission

Legalise Cannabis Party - Bill

OWL Conference

https://owlconference.com.au/owl-speakers/

TGA Public Consultation

https://consultations.tga.gov.au/medicines-regulation-division/test-soms/

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who still believes the old myths about cannabis. And do not forget to rate and review the podcast, it helps the algorithm put this conversation in front of more people.

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

Disclaimer:
We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice. Everything shared here is based on our personal lived experiences and the stories of others. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.