The Cannabis Connoisseur

Cannabis and Quality: What Are You Actually Buying? with Intrinsic CEO Wes Lutz! Ryan sits down with Wes Lutz, CEO of Intrinsic, a major Michigan cannabis manufacturer and processor, for a behind-the-scenes look at how cannabis products are evolving as the legal market matures. Wes shares how his background in the automotive industry shaped his approach to cannabis manufacturing, why consistency a...

Cannabis and Travel Tips- Plan Ahead without Ruining Your Trip! Whether you're planning a weekend road trip or an international vacation, traveling with cannabis isn't as simple as throwing it in your bag. In this episode, Ryan shares his personal approach to traveling responsibly with cannabis—from researching state laws and understanding the difference between state and federal regulations to de...

Cannabis and the Future of Federal Policy with Jim Higdon Cannabis policy is changing fast—but where is it actually headed? In this episode, Ryan sits down with Jim Higdon, co-founder of Cornbread Hemp and author of  The Cornbread Mafia , for a timely conversation about the future of cannabis and hemp in America. Jim breaks down the fight unfolding in Washington over hemp, why he believes Schedule...

Cannabis and Summer Self-Regulation! Summer is heating up, and in this timely episode, Ryan explores how cannabis may help you stay cool — both physically and emotionally — when the temperatures rise. From managing mood swings and sleep disruption during heatwaves to choosing infused drinks and topicals that support balance, this episode breaks down the science behind cannabis and thermoregulation...

Cannabis as an Amplifier: Why the same Cannabis Doesn't Feel the Same Every Time! Have you ever used the exact same cannabis strain twice and had two completely different experiences? In this week's episode, Ryan explores one of the biggest mysteries in cannabis: why the same flower can feel completely different from one session to the next. Discover how your mood, sleep, stress, environment, expe...

Cannabis and Beyond: Exploring the World of Vaporized Botanicals! What if cannabis is only one chapter in a much larger plant story? This week, Ryan takes listeners beyond cannabis and into the world of vaporized botanicals. Discover how herbs like rosemary, peppermint, lavender, lemon balm, damiana, chamomile, blue lotus, passionflower, skullcap, and hops have been used throughout history and why...

Cannabis and Strain Selection: Finding What Works for You! How do you choose a cannabis strain? If your answer is "highest THC," this episode may change your mind. Ryan explores why strain selection is one of the most important cannabis skills you can develop, how terpenes and cannabinoid profiles influence your experience, and why finding the right strain for the right situation can lea...

Cannabis and Women's Cycles! What if cannabis doesn’t actually affect women the same way throughout the month? In this episode, Ryan sits down with Beth Jasinski from the CannaFitness and Nutrition Podcast to explore the fascinating connection between cannabis, hormones, and the menstrual cycle. From estrogen and THC sensitivity to PMS, sleep, anxiety, cravings, and cannabinoid selection, Beth bre...

Cannabis and The Future of Physician-Guided CBD Care! In this week’s episode, Ryan continues his conversation with Pulak Sharma of Kazmira Therapeutics by diving deeper into the clinical side of cannabinoid medicine alongside Dr. Gautham Oroskar. Together, they explore why mainstream medicine has historically been hesitant to embrace CBD, what many physicians and patients still misunderstand about...

Cannabis and Working Out! How it Can Help...AND Hurt!!! In this episode of The Cannabis Connoisseur Podcast, we dive into the growing connection between cannabis and fitness — and why cannabis can either elevate your workouts or completely work against them depending on how you use it. We explore how cannabis interacts with movement, motivation, recovery, body awareness, and even the body’s endoca...

Cannabis and Focus: The Terpenes That Can Make or Break Your Productivity! In this episode, Ryan breaks down one of the most misunderstood aspects of cannabis—how it can either sharpen your focus or completely derail it—and reveals why the difference comes down to terpenes, not just THC. Using real-life examples (and even a fun cameo from his kids), he explains how compounds like limonene, pinene,...

Cannabis and Dopamine! Why it Can Help or Hurt Your Motivation! Ever feel like cannabis sometimes boosts your motivation...and other times completely kills it? In this episode, we break down the powerful role dopamine plays in that experience and why it’s not random at all. You’ll learn what dopamine actually is (hint: it’s not just about pleasure), how THC interacts with your brain’s reward syste...

Cannabis and The munchies myth! With Beth Jasinski This episode dives into one of the most persistent cannabis myths: the idea that weed automatically gives you the “munchies.” While many people associate cannabis with late-night snacking, the reality is more nuanced. The discussion explains that cannabis can influence appetite, but it doesn’t affect everyone the same way. THC, the primary psychoa...

Cannabis and Weaker Weed! In this episode, Ryan discusses how modern cannabis—especially high-THC products—can have unwanted side effects, particularly with heavy or frequent use: High THC levels are linked to increased anxiety, paranoia, and in severe cases psychosis or schizophrenia-like symptoms. Addiction and dependency: Regular use can lead to cannabis use disorder and difficulty cutting back...

Cannabis And The Future Of Prescription Cannabinoid Medicine What if the future of cannabis isn’t dispensaries…but prescriptions, pharmacies, and doctor-guided cannabinoid medicine? In this week’s episode, Ryan sits down with Pulak Sharma, co-founder and co-CEO of Kazmira Therapeutics, to discuss the future of medical cannabis and prescription cannabinoid therapies. Pulak explains how Kazmira is d...

Cannabis and Migraines- What new studies show! “In a recent study, published in Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine demonstrate for the first time in a placebo-controlled clinical trial that cannabis is effective to treat acute migraine.” Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260130/Cannabis-shows-anti-migraine-ben...

Cannabis and Tolerance- How to keep the high meaningful! On this week’s episode, Ryan dives into one of the most important (and most overlooked) aspects of long-term cannabis use: tolerance. Sharing his own current tolerance reset, Ryan breaks down what tolerance actually is, why it happens biologically (including CB1 receptor down-regulation), and why frequency of use often matters more than tota...

Cannabis and Menopause! This episode explores the therapeutic potential of cannabis for women navigating perimenopause and menopause. Our expert guest Beth Jasinski discusses how cannabinoids may help alleviate common symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, hot flashes, and mood swings by supporting hormonal balance and promoting relaxation. The conversation emphasizes the importance of nutrition and...

Cannabis and the Winter Mood- Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder and Supportive Options! As the days grow shorter and the sunlight fades, many people struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that can drain energy, motivation, and mood. In this episode, Ryan sits down with Beth Skinner, founder of CannaFit & Nutrition, to explore how cannabis can help restore...

Cannabis and Different Pain Types! Pain is one of the biggest reasons cannabis has made its way into mainstream healthcare—but not all pain is the same, and not all cannabis use is helpful. In this episode, Ryan revisits cannabis and pain for the first time in years, breaking down the different types of pain people experience—from inflammation and nerve pain to muscle tension and chronic daily dis...

Cannabis and How to Actually Use a Dry Herb Vaporizer (Without Wasting Flower) Dry herb vaporizers are often praised as a more efficient way to use cannabis — yet many people try them once, feel underwhelmed, and give up altogether. In this week's episode, we break down how to actually use a dry herb vaporizer the way it’s designed to be used, so you get better results without wasting flower. We e...

Cannabis And Winter Sleep: How to Wind Down Without Morning Grogginess! In this week's episode, Ryan tackles one of the most common—and frustrating—questions this time of year: how do you actually wind down and sleep better without waking up groggy? Using real-life examples and hard-earned lessons, he breaks down the difference between simply “knocking yourself out” and getting truly restorative s...

Cannabis and Where We're Headed- Lessons from Last Year & What 2026 May Bring! In this week’s episode, Ryan discusses where cannabis is headed in 2026—using the lessons of 2025 as a roadmap for what’s coming next. He reflects on how cannabis “normalization” accelerated last year while confusion around hemp vs. medical vs. adult-use also grew, and explains why 2025 was less about hype and expan...

Cannabis and Schedule III- What it Actually Means! In this week’s episode, Ryan discusses the long-anticipated federal move to reschedule cannabis to Schedule 3—and what it actually means beyond the headlines. He breaks down the five drug schedules in plain language, clears up common misconceptions (no, this isn’t legalization and doctors still can’t prescribe cannabis), and explains why this shif...

Cannabis and the Holiday Season! Cannabis and Christmas are coming together in new ways — from thoughtful cannabis-inspired gifts to seasonal strains that match holiday vibes. In this episode, we explore how cannabis fits into modern holiday traditions, what makes a great cannabis gift, which strains pair best with festive moments, and how to enjoy cannabis responsibly in social settings. Whether...