About this episode

Veterans share their experiences with medical cannabis as a treatment for PTSD and chronic pain.

What happens when veterans turn to medical cannabis after conventional treatments leave them exhausted, foggy or still unable to sleep? Former Canadian Armed Forces medics Natalie Forcier and Rob Sipes share how PTSD, chronic pain, anxiety, nightmares and service-related injuries shaped their journeys with medicinal cannabis. Together with cannabis nurse Kala Knudslien, Natalie and Rob discuss administration routes like cannabis gummies, oils, creams and other non-inhaled products. Then they get into how various cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, CBG and lower-dose THC, cannabis tolerance effect their individualized care. Natalie also explains how non-intoxicating cannabis topicals can help cautious veterans and first responders reconsider medical cannabis as a pain-management option. The conversation also examines Veterans Affairs Canada cannabis coverage, including the three-gram daily limit, reimbursement reductions and the widening gap between recreational and medical cannabis prices. It raises important questions about access, veteran advocacy and whether commercial interests are influencing Canada’s medical cannabis system. Listen now to hear two veterans speak candidly about…

People in this episode

Hosts: Trevor Shewfelt, Kirk Nyquist

Guests: Natalie Forcier, Rob Sipes

Topics covered

• medical cannabis
• veterans
• PTSD
• pain management
• cannabinoids
• access to care

Keywords

• medical cannabis
• veterans
• PTSD
• cannabinoids
• pain management
• Veterans Affairs Canada
• cannabis education

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Veterans Affairs Canada, Desiree Dorion, Marc Clement

Books & works: Reefer MEDness

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