The AusCannaPodcast

How often do you actually stop and think about why you’re using cannabis? In this episode, Christina sits down with Daniel Robinson Croft, founder at Let’s Budvocate to explore something that doesn’t get talked about enough: the difference between intentional use and just doing what we’ve always done. Because whether it’s chasing higher THC, sticking to the same habits, or not questioning our patt...

In this episode of the AusCannaPodcast, Christina sits down with Columbia University chemist and professor Colin P. Nuckolls and systems strategist Alec Koudijs to unpack a hard truth about medicinal cannabis. 👉 It is far less predictable than most people think. Patients are often making decisions with limited information. Strain names, basic COAs, and a whole lot of trust. But even when the labe...

What happens when the science is advancing, patient numbers are growing, and outcomes are improving... yet stigma and misinformation continue to dominate the conversation? In this episode of the AusCannaPodcast, Christina sits down with Matt Shales, Founder and CEO of MediCann Health and MediCann Clinics, for a wide-ranging discussion about the current state of medicinal cannabis in Australia and...

Cannabis reform in Australia is no longer a fringe issue… but why does meaningful change still feel so slow? In this episode of the AusCannaPodcast, Christina sits down with lawyer, activist and former Senate candidate Miles Hunt for a wide-ranging conversation about cannabis prohibition, harm minimisation, politics, stigma and the future of reform in Australia. Miles shares his journey from worki...

This episode of AusCannaPodcast was recorded fresh off the back of Nimbin MardiGrass 2026. Christina sits down with Kyla de Clifford from CannaCuriousAus and Ruby Mary Botanicals to unpack the real heartbeat of MardiGrass beyond the headlines, including the very first Women’s Morning Tea, a space Kyla had dreamed of creating for years before finally bringing it to life this year. Together, they ex...

In this episode of the AusCannaPodcast, Christina McMullan sits down with pharmacist Neda Beric from CannCompounding to explore the evolving role of cannabinoid therapies in Women’s Health. Neda works directly with prescribers and patients to develop and refine compounded cannabinoid formulations tailored to individual needs. Her approach is grounded in real-world patient feedback, where treatment...

What if the most important part of your cannabis experience happens before the plant is even grown? In this episode of the AusCannaPodcast, I sit down with Chase, founder of Umami Seed Co., to explore the world of cannabis genetics, phenohunting, and what it really takes to create a cultivar worth building around. With over 20 years in the space, Chase shares how a single decision early in his gro...

There’s a shift happening in the Australian medicinal cannabis industry. As the space grows and becomes more commercial, many are starting to ask the same question: Are we losing the patient voice? In this episode, I sit down with Bee Mohamed, a government relations and advocacy professional working at the intersection of policy and lived experience, to unpack where things really stand. We talk ab...

The Catch-Up is a collaboration between Give and Toke and AusCannaReviews, with Paul and Christina coming together occasionally to explore what’s happening in Cannabis in Australia and around the world. In this episode: * Unmissable talks: Gabriel Younes on aroma, and Chad Walkaden on Indigenous healthcare (2:30) * The TGA Presentation: cautious optimism and takeaways (7:00) * Community leading th...

In this episode, Christina sits down with Helen Kapalos for a frank conversation about medicinal cannabis, media, and policy in Australia. Helen shares the story behind her documentary A Life of Its Own , why she left mainstream journalism, and how stigma and misinformation still shape public narratives. They unpack the TGA’s medicinal cannabis review, the danger of policy driven by headlines, and...

After months of scheduling across time zones, Christina finally sits down with UK cannabis patient advocate and industry insider Alex Fraser for a wide-ranging conversation on advocacy, access, and what happens when patients step inside the system they once protested. Alex shares his journey from living with Crohn’s disease to becoming one of the UK’s most influential voices in medical cannabis. W...

This Year in Review episode brings together the clips you replayed, shared, and messaged me about all year, along with the three most downloaded episodes of the season, a proud moment taking the AusCannaPodcast on the road to New Zealand and Thailand, and a few milestones that stopped me in my tracks. Show Notes: Veterans Deserve Better: Derek Pyrah on PTSD, Cannabis and the Fight to Change the DV...

Harry Baird joins me for a slow, thoughtful chat about how cannabis fits into real life. We look at the moments that shaped his journey, from early flower sessions to discovering extracts and why solventless has opened up a whole new lane of learning for him. We talk about catching yourself when your habits drift, finding balance again, and why aroma can tell you more than test results ever will....

In this episode, I sit down with Los Angeles creator and edibles expert Christina W. founder of Fruit & Flower Co. for a candid conversation about cannabis from farm to table. We talk about sun-grown flowers, the art and science of edibles, and the rituals that shape how we experience the plant. Christina shares stories from her years visiting farms in northern California, the rise of curated cann...

In this special episode of The Catch-Up , Christina Mc Mullan and Paul O’Donoghue reunite to unpack their recent trip to Thailand. They share insights from their visits to Iridescent Med and the facility cultivating Cookies California genetics, reflect on the world-class standards they witnessed, and express gratitude for the hospitality extended by the teams. Expect thoughtful reflections, genuin...

In this episode, I’m joined by Deb Ranson, a Registered Nurse and Clinical Nurse Consultant who has spent her career championing patient-centred care while supporting and educating healthcare practitioners. We dive deep into the endocannabinoid system and why every healthcare professional should understand it, the challenges and barriers created by hospital and facility policies around medicinal c...

In this episode of the AusCannaPodcast “On the Road”, I sit down with Alexis Lopez, Puro’s Extraction Program Lead, to dive deep into the craft and science of cannabis extraction. Originally from Seattle, Alexis has a background in environmental science and sustainability, with experience managing a six-year Agent Orange cleanup project in Vietnam. Since moving to New Zealand, he’s helped shape th...

Season Four of the AusCannaPodcast kicks off “On the Road” in New Zealand. Earlier this year, I spent a week driving the rugged South Island coast, where the mountains meet the sea and the stories are deeply tied to the land. The first stop: a visit with brothers Sank and Winston Macfarlane of Puro. Sank, an agribusiness leader with deep roots in finance and farming, and Winston, a former America’...

After 16 years in the Australian Army, Jason Frost came home with invisible wounds… PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and the crushing weight of polypharmacy. When traditional treatment failed him, cannabis medicine gave him a way back. In this raw and powerful episode, Jason opens up about the hardest parts of that journey and how it led to his work with the Pro Patria Centre, a veteran-led hub of he...

What happens behind the doors of a compounding pharmacy, and why does it matter in the world of cannabis and psychedelic medicine? In this episode, I sit down with compounding pharmacist Matthew Soliman from Cann Compounding to explore how tailored formulations are helping patients get better outcomes. From THC-infused chocolates and fast-acting gummies to high-dose oils for seizure control, Matth...

After a spider bite triggered a cascade of chronic conditions, Sharna Stewart spent eight years bedridden. She endured years of ketamine infusions, brain surgery, and opioid medications that only made things worse. But everything changed when she discovered medicinal cannabis. In this powerful and unfiltered conversation, Sharna shares what it’s really like to live with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatig...

What do you get when you combine over a decade in pharma, a chef’s eye for detail, and a patient-first mindset? You get Satinca, Australia’s first pharmacy-exclusive medical cannabis accessories provider and the brainchild of Claud Chaouka. In this episode, I sit down with Claud to unpack the story behind Satinca from the spark that motivated them to build the brand, to the challenges of staying c...

Derek Pyrah is the founder of the No More Zombie Veterans campaign—a powerful movement born from lived experience. A former Australian Defence Force member and PTSD survivor, Derek knows firsthand the damage long-term pharmaceutical overmedication can cause. After discovering the healing potential of plant-based medicines, including medicinal cannabis, he now channels his energy into advocacy, pus...

What happens when you walk straight out of the grow room and hit record? In this special On the Road episode, I visited Medcan Australia in Southeast Queensland for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the country’s earliest licensed cannabis producers. After the tour, I sat down with co-founder and CCO Gareth Ball for a raw, in-the-moment chat about cultivation, product development, market pressure...

Is CBD the missing link in IBS treatment? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Chris Schneider and Rick Palesh — the minds behind SVG and the Genesis Study, a first-of-its-kind clinical trial investigating CBD’s potential to relieve pain caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The study is currently under review and expected to be published in the coming months and the results could be a game-changer. W...