Reefer MEDness

E167-1 Is Irradiated Cannabis Safe? New Research Reveals the Truth with Saji George & Mamta Rani Part 1

Does irradiated cannabis still contain mold spores?In this deep-dive episode, Trevor and Kirk explore the science behind cannabis irradiation, fungal contamination, and the hidden risks of mycotoxins. Dr. Saji George and Mamta Rani from McGill University break down how gamma irradiation is used to sterilize cannabis—and why even this industry-standard sterilization may not eliminate all harmful fungal spores or toxins. They reveal that while irradiation significantly reduces fungal contamination, advanced testing still detected viable spores and residual mycotoxins in some cannabis legal products.For immunocompromised patients, even minimal exposure to spores or toxins can matter. We explore testing gaps, regulatory limits, workplace risks, and new biocontrol solutions to prevent contamination at the source.Listen now to understand how cannabis irradiation works — and where the cracks in the system may be.Detection of Mycotoxigenic Fungi and Residual Mycotoxins in Cannabis Buds Following Gamma Irradiation - PaperSaji George - LinkedInMamta Rani - LinkedInTranscripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

E166-3 – Why Moroccan Hash Struggles in Europe’s Pharmaceutical Cannabis Market with Mr. Anonymous - Part 3

Can a centuries-old cannabis culture survive legalization?In this exclusive episode, Reefer MEDness shares a rare anonymous interview with a SOMACAN quality manager inside Morocco’s emerging legal cannabis industry. Kirk and Mr. Anonymous share a car ride through the Rif Mountains and Mr. Anonymous reveals how local farmers are transitioning from black-market hash production into regulated medical cannabis cooperatives producing hundreds of tons of biomass annually.Discover how Morocco’s ancient Beldia landrace strain—grown for centuries—is now facing threats from modernization, imported genetics, and pharmaceutical regulation. Learn how CBD and limited THC legalization is reshaping cannabis exports, farmer livelihoods, and global supply chains.From secrecy and stigma to pharmaceutical extraction and international markets, this episode reveals the real human and scientific story behind cannabis legalization in Morocco.Listen now to understand how one of the world’s oldest cannabis traditions is adapting to the future of medicine.Transcripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

E166-2 – Why Moroccan Hash Struggles in Europe’s Pharmaceutical Cannabis Market with Jan van Weenen - Part 2

Can Morocco’s famous hash industry survive pharmaceutical regulation?In Part 2 of Episode 166, Trevor and Kirk continue their conversation with Jan van Weenen, a European cannabis veteran helping transform Morocco’s ancient hash market into a GMP-compliant pharmaceutical industry. From heavy metals in Rif Mountain soil to pricing battles between farmers, co-ops, and manufacturers, this episode reveals the real-world challenges of global cannabis regulation.Jan shares his strategy to build a pharmaceutical cannabis brand now — and pivot into recreational markets later — while navigating European standards, extract distribution, and international licensing.Listen now to explore the birth of Morocco’s legal cannabis industry and what it means for Europe and beyond.Jan van Ween - LinkedInTranscripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

E166-1 – Why Moroccan Hash Struggles in Europe’s Pharmaceutical Cannabis Market with Jan van Weenen - Part 1

Why doesn’t Morocco’s historic cannabis dominance automatically translate into global pharmaceutical success?Jan van Weenen's decade and a half in cannabis starts in the Netherlands, tours through Switzerland and lands in Morocco’s legal cannabis experiment. He has spent four years working with farmers, government, and doctors attempting to move the ancient Moroccan cannabis industry toward pharmaceutical grade production. Jan explains the challenges, particularly with naturally occurring heavy metals in the soil accumulating in Moroccan cannabis.Jan describes the complex supply chain in Morocco including the challenges of aligning farmers, cooperatives, processors, and regulators. The lack of coordination in the supply chain leads to quality control issues and other frictions which shave cash off the bottom line of companies trying to enter the legal market. In this episode Kirk and Trevor continue the discussion of the growing pains for the Moroccan cannabis industry, the gap between government ambition and on-the-ground reality, and the joy of learning the rules of a world’s regulated cannabis market on the fly.Listen now to this first of three stories from Morocco to understand how science, regulation, and culture collide in global cannabis markets.Jan van Ween - LinkedInTranscripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca

E165 – Inhaled cannabis therapy benefits diabetic care mapping - Dr. Dror Robinson

Dr. Dror Robinson’s five-year longitudinal Israeli study goal was to evaluate inhaled cannabis use for diabetic neuropathy. He found it works and he now believes all diabetics should be inhaling cannabis flower. The study can be faulted for the lack of diversity with the 52 individuals sampled, however the study presents a 97% sample retention, and the evidence suggests every participant benefitted from the in-haled cannabis therapy. In this episode, Kirk and Trevor discuss the real-world application of cannabis medicine found to reduce pain, positively modulates the A1C, and decreases the pharmaceutical costs for people with diabetes. This is a must listen for those who are affected by diabetes.Dr. Robinson - LinkedInTranscripts, papers and so much more at: reefermed.ca