Inside the First Responder Wellness Debate

Inside the First Responder Wellness Debate

From EMS Today by JEMS

March 30, 2026 · 59 min · Episode 532

About this episode

Cody Spaulding interviews Jon Vought about the implications of CBD in the fire service and its effects on wellness.

In this episode of Just a Little Salt, Cody Spaulding talks with Jon Vought, a firefighter and the owner of Rescue 1 CBD, to break down what CBD actually is and why it’s become a serious topic in the fire service. Jon explains the difference between hemp and marijuana, how cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, and what the research says about CBD’s impact on inflammation, sleep quality, mood, and anxiety. They also get into the biggest concern most firefighters have: drug testing. John shares details from a university-backed study involving the University of Arcadia and the University of Maryland, including how urine samples were tested under strict lab conditions for THC.

People in this episode

Host: Cody Spaulding

Guest: Jon Vought

Topics covered

  • first responder wellness
  • CBD
  • fire service
  • cannabinoids
  • drug testing
  • inflammation
  • sleep quality

Keywords

  • CBD
  • firefighter
  • cannabinoids
  • drug testing
  • inflammation
  • sleep quality
  • mood
  • anxiety

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Rescue 1 CBD, University of Arcadia, University of Maryland

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