Explore every episode of the podcast Beyond The Script
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlocking the Medical Cannabis Market: Revolutionising Access and Innovation | 20 Jun 2025 | 00:37:24 | |
EP4 - Tim Kirby, CEO of Releaf and Michael Sassano, CEO and Chairman of the Board with SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals discuss strategies for expanding the medical cannabis market in the UK. They highlight the challenges in the current market, such as patient accessibility and supply chain issues, emphasise the importance of vertical integration and advanced extraction techniques to ensure product quality and consistency. They also talk about the significance of catering to the 'cannabis naive' demographic through more accessible product forms like oils, soft gel capsules and pastilles. The conversation underscores the necessity of educating doctors and patients about these products to expand the market while maintaining high standards of quality and patient care. Audio Chapters: 00:00 Beyond The Script with Michael Sassano 00:26 Challenges in the Medical Cannabis Market 01:02 Supply Chain and Quality Assurance 01:41 Cannabis Extraction Techniques 02:12 Market Evolution and Technology 03:55 Product Development and Standards 13:20 Patient Experience and Feedback 16:40 Global Market Insights 19:47 Next Generation Soft Gel Release 20:13 Planning for Future Product Releases 20:19 Faster Absorbing Soft Gels 20:36 Understanding Doctor and Patient Needs 21:26 Trends in Medical Cannabis Prescriptions 22:29 Global Market Trends and Product Diversity 24:53 Educational Experiences for Doctors 26:27 Building Trust and Confidence in Cannabis Products 30:06 The Importance of Independent Clinics 35:52 Future Prospects and Market Evolution Follow us: | |||
| Exploring the Endocannabinoid System: A New Era in Therapy | 18 Jun 2025 | 00:24:14 | |
EP3 - In this special edition episode, Releaf COO Graham Woodward sits down with cannabinoid pharmacologist Professor Saoirse O’Sullivan to explore whether our current approach to cannabis-based treatment is truly evidence-led or built on outdated myths. From the science behind THC and CBD to the truth about the entourage effect, this episode challenges assumptions and asks what it takes to get cannabis medicine right. Spotify Video Chapters: 00:00 Beyond The Script with Saoirse O’Sullivan 01:00 Understanding the Endocannabinoid System 03:07 Tailoring Treatments with Cannabinoid Science 04:35 Exploring Minor Phytocannabinoids 07:10 Real-World Evidence and Clinical Trials 09:18 Pharmaceutical Insights and Future Directions 17:02 The Entourage Effect 19:23 Future of Cannabinoid Treatments 23:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Follow us: | |||
| Power, Politics and the Future of UK Medical Cannabis | 11 Jun 2025 | 00:37:57 | |
EP2 - Robert Jappie, partner at Fieldfisher LLP and Tim Kirby, CEO at Releaf unpack the challenges and opportunities shaping the UK’s medical cannabis landscape, from the slow-moving regulatory environment to the urgent need for patient-focused innovation. Key topics include: - Why the UK's medical cannabis framework has barely shifted since legalisation in 2018 - The bottlenecks across cultivation, distribution and clinical access - How education and reduced stigma are slowly driving patient growth - What the UK can learn from Germany’s market - The future: cannabis oils, vape cartridges and engaging the 'cannabis-naive" Spotify Video Chapters: 00:00 Beyond The Script with Robert Jappie 00:46 Understanding the Regulatory Landscape 02:11 The Four Stages of the Supply Chain 03:37 The 2018 Legislation and Its Impact 05:22 Challenges and Opportunities in the Industry 06:29 Robert's Background and Expertise 08:14 THC Regulations and Industry Struggles 10:31 The Role of Regulators and Compliance 17:28 Supply Chain Improvements and Future Outlook 20:02 Addressing the Cannabis Market 20:22 Releaf's Approach to Medical Cannabis 21:47 Challenges in the UK Cannabis Market 23:24 Building Trust and Patient Advocacy 25:10 Innovative Delivery Methods 29:51 The Dispensary Model and Legalisation 33:39 Lessons from the German Market 36:51 Future Prospects and Legal Challenges Follow us: | |||
| The UK's Largest Ever Medical Cannabis Deal | 09 Jun 2025 | 00:52:29 | |
EP1 - CEOs Tim Kirby of Releaf and James Duckenfield of Glass Pharm sat down to discuss the ever-evolving UK medical cannabis sector. In 2024, we joined forces with Glass Pharms in the UK's largest ever medical cannabis deal, providing Releaf patients with a consistent, high-quality supply of domestic grown CBPMs. As one of the most-trusted #medicalcannabis clinics in the UK, our incredible patient advocacy and patient testimonials are in great part attributed to the quality of medication that we provide our patients with from Glass Pharms. Key topics include: How we are tackling the evolving regulatory landscape How we are empowering our doctors How we are educating a wider community about the benefits of medical cannabis Spotify Video Chapters: 00:00 Beyond The Script with James Duckenfield 00:42 Challenges in the UK Medical Cannabis Market 01:45 Building a Reliable Supply Chain 03:34 Scientific Approach to Medical Cannabis 04:34 Raising Funds and Overcoming Stigma 07:55 Consistency and Quality in Medical Cannabis 09:59 Innovative Cultivation Techniques 15:13 Patient Experiences and Market Growth 24:13 Data-Driven Medical Cannabis Solutions 28:24 Ensuring Consistency in Medical Cannabis Production 29:03 The Importance of Tissue Culture in Cannabis Cultivation 30:15 Trust and Quality in Medical Cannabis Clinics 31:15 Eco-Friendly Practices in Cannabis Production 34:52 Addressing Patient Needs in Medical Cannabis Market 39:33 Education and Awareness in Medical Cannabis 45:18 The Safety and Efficacy of Medical Cannabis 50:25 Future Vision and Regulatory Challenges Follow us: | |||
| Rethinking Healthcare Leadership: Purpose-Driven Practice in Action | 13 Aug 2025 | 00:38:41 | |
EP6 - What does purpose-driven leadership look like inside a fast-growing medical cannabis clinic? In this special edition of the Business of Cannabis Podcast, Tim Kirby, CEO of Releaf, sits down with Professor Chris Shambrook, renowned performance psychologist and long-time advisor to the British Olympic rowing team. Together, they unpack how high-performance principles drawn from elite sport can translate into more intentional, human-centred healthcare leadership. From scaling teams with clarity to balancing compliance with compassion, this episode explores how Releaf is redefining what good leadership looks like in modern medicine, and why purpose can’t be an afterthought when the stakes are this high. Chapters: 00:00 Beyond The Script with Chris Shambrook 00:51 High Performance Frameworks and Cultures 02:55 Results vs. Performance 06:32 Behaviour Commitment and Performance 09:30 Consistency and Marginal Gains in Sport 18:31 Leadership and Management in Growing Organisations 21:35 The Single Patient Focus 22:56 Spreading Confidence and Knowledge 25:05 Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose 27:10 Creating a High-Performance Culture 31:47 Practical Steps for Development 36:34 Wrap Up Follow us: | |||
| From Anecdote to Evidence: Using Data for Advanced Access | Releaf & Dr Anne Katrin Schlag | 10 Jul 2025 | 00:26:40 | |
EP5 - Join COO of Releaf, Graham Woodward, and Dr Anne Katrin Schlag, Head of Research at Drug Science, as they explore how the UK can move from anecdotal patient stories to real-world evidence, and why this shift is vital for expanding safe, trusted access to cannabis-based medicines. Let's rethink healTHCare. Chapters: 00:00 Beyond The Script with Anne Schlag 00:19 Meet Anne: Pioneering Medical Cannabis Research 01:00 The Role of Drug Science in Medical Cannabis 02:30 T21 Real World Data Registry Insights 03:29 Key Findings and Patient Outcomes 07:05 Challenges and Future Directions in Medical Cannabis 09:56 Educational Efforts and Policy Changes 15:17 International Perspectives and Best Practices 20:25 The Importance of Patient Stories and Public Outreach 24:58 Wrap Up Follow us: | |||
| Cannabis as a Medicine: A GP's Honest Experience | 26 Feb 2026 | 00:25:21 | |
Cannabis as a Medicine: A GP's Honest Experience Featuring: Dr Katherine Fitch, Releaf Consultant & GP Graham Woodward, Chief Medical Officer @ Releaf About This Episode: In this episode of Beyond the Script, our Chief Medical Officer Graham Woodward sits down with Dr Katherine Fitch, a practising GP who also consults at Releaf, to talk about what really changed when she started prescribing medical cannabis to her patients. From the preconceptions she carried from medical school to the life-changing results she's seen at Releaf firsthand, this is an honest look at what happens when a doctor opens the door to a different kind of medicine. In This Episode: • How Dr Fitch's experience at Releaf challenged everything she was taught about cannabis • The Releaf patient stories that shifted a GP's perspective • Why up to 80% of the UK still don't know medical cannabis is available on prescription • What's missing from medical school training when it comes to cannabis • Why patients aren't telling their GPs about their medical cannabis prescriptions, and why that matters • How Releaf's doctors went from "I'll try 8 hours a week" to working full-time About Releaf Launched in 2024, Releaf is the UK's fastest-growing and one of the most-trusted* medical cannabis clinics, serving patients through its advanced healthtech platform. With a prescriber network of over 60 specialists, we deliver evidence-based cannabinoid care directly to patients' homes through tailored treatment plans. Fully integrated with NHS systems, Releaf has transformed access to medical cannabis treatment in the UK and is now expanding internationally. *According to Trustpilot. Learn more at https://releaf.co.uk/ | |||