The Canna Curious Podcast: Conversations on Cannabis, Wellness & Women’s Health – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, I take you on a journey through the history of cannabis prohibition, from the powerful industries and political figures who drove it, to the propaganda and international treaties that locked it in place.

This is not a deep academic lecture, but a story about how we got here and why a plant that was once widely used for pain, sleep, women’s health, and everyday ailments became criminalised across much of the world.

We’ll look at:

• The early uses of cannabis in medicine and daily life
• Harry Anslinger’s role in pushing prohibition, and why he was not acting alone
• The influence of industry, media, and racism in shaping public fear
• Australia’s own prohibition history, from Smith’s Weekly headlines to Hunter Valley “weed raiders” and beyond
• Why prohibition was never about health or safety, but about profit, power, and control

By the end of this episode, you’ll see why I believe it is time to give the plant back to the people.

Resources and Further Reading

The Joke Dr John Jiggens - couldn't find a link to this but I got mine at The Hemp Embassy in Nimbin.

Owen Smith Legalising Cannabis Extracts, Edibles in the Supreme Court of Canada 

1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and later UN treaties

Le Dain Commission

Legalise Cannabis Party - Bill

OWL Conference

https://owlconference.com.au/owl-speakers/

TGA Public Consultation

https://consultations.tga.gov.au/medicines-regulation-division/test-soms/

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who still believes the old myths about cannabis. And do not forget to rate and review the podcast, it helps the algorithm put this conversation in front of more people.

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Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

Disclaimer:
We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice. Everything shared here is based on our personal lived experiences and the stories of others. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.

In this episode, we pull back the curtain and share some our own stories of how the plant called us into this space.

From harm reduction and patient advocacy, to chronic pain, migraines, and the quiet frustration of being dismissed in the doctor’s office each of us followed a different road. But the common thread is connection. The plant didn’t just relieve symptoms; she shifted our perspectives, revealed truths we couldn’t ignore, and opened the possibility of healing on deeper levels.

This episode isn’t about giving you a one-size-fits-all answer. It’s about reminding you that there are choices, and that healing isn’t just about quick fixesit’s about slowing down, listening, and reconnecting with yourself.

What We Talk About in This Episode

• The harm reduction frontline and what it taught us about preventable loss
• Living through migraines, chronic pain, and the opioid treadmill
• Gentle first encounters with the plant and what shifted afterward
• How stigma silences women and patients, and why that has to change
• The role of meditation, mindfulness, and holistic care alongside cannabis
• Why respect, patience, and “starting low, going slow” matter more than ever
• The bigger medicine: connection to self, to others, and to possibility

Why This Matters
Too often, women’s pain is dismissed, masked with pills, or met with silence. By sharing our stories, we want to open doors for conversations, for new pathways, and for anyone who has ever wondered if there’s another way forward.

Resources & Mentions

• Harm reduction and patient advocacy in Australia https://www.harmreductionaustralia.org.au/
• Research around CBD and beta-caryophyllene in addiction and recovery
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8173061/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8026612/

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

Disclaimer:
We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice. Everything shared here is based on our personal lived experiences and the stories of others. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.

What does it take to shake off a lifetime of shame around cannabis? In this deeply personal conversation, Ray, Bee, and Kyla open up about their earliest experiences with the plant and the stigma that kept them silent for years.

From growing up in countries where cannabis use meant death penalties or jail time, to navigating parenthood, professional reputations, and internalised fear, this episode goes deep into what it means to use the plant and still feel judged for it.

We talk about finding language, finding confidence, and eventually finding community. This episode is a reminder that education is powerful, but so is conversation. And when we tell the truth about our relationship with the plant, we help others feel less alone.

Whether you’re still whispering about your use, or proudly rolling joints at dinner parties, this one is for you.

Content Note:

This episode includes discussion of drug-related stigma, global drug policies, parenting, and cannabis use. Listener discretion advised.

In this episode, we cover:

• How growing up under the War on Drugs shaped our beliefs
• Cannabis stigma across cultures, from Singapore to Australia to the Middle East
• What it’s like to be a mother who uses cannabis
• Why conversations with kids matter
• How cannabis compares to alcohol and pharmaceuticals
• Why so many women are quietly quitting alcohol
• Where to find (or build) community as a cannabis user
• The missing social spaces for conscious consumption
• How to start talking about the plant, with friends, family, and yourself

Bee Mohamed has worked in health policy for over 10 years, both in the public and private sectors. Bee was the inaugural CEO of ScriptWise, a health promotion charity addressing prescription medication addiction and overdose in Australia. 

Bee is passionate about patient advocacy and working towards better drug policy reforms in Australia. She is currently an Ambassador for Harm Reduction Australia and Founder of Mata, an online platform sharing stories from the plant medicine industry.

You can find her storytelling at @mata_gathering

Ray Steele is a storyteller and connector, finding her path in this work through involvement in social responsibility, agroecology, regenerative and bioregional projects for over 10 years. She is a passionate living systems advocate.

After 15 years of severe migraines, a return to natural therapies offered her relief and heightened awareness of the interconnectedness between healing and living systems.

You can find her @ray.steele

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

Disclaimer:
We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice. Everything shared here is based on our personal lived experiences and the stories of others. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.

Lillie Brown is a sexologist, speaker, and fierce advocate for body literacy and cannabis education. She lives with endometriosis, PMDD, and ADHD and in this deeply honest (and hilarious) conversation, she shares what it’s really like to live in a body that doesn’t always play nice.

We talk about the long road to diagnosis, the rollercoaster of symptoms, and the life-changing power of cannabis when used with intention. From DIY lube and THC suppositories to navigating the stigma of smoking a joint for pain, nothing is off limits in this episode.

Whether you're cannabis curious, chronically ill, or simply craving more honest conversations about women's health, this one’s for you.

Content Note:
This episode includes discussions of chronic illness, mental health (including suicidal ideation), vaginal pain, medical dismissal, and cannabis use. Please listen with care.

In this episode, we cover:

 • Lillie’s journey with endometriosis, PMDD, and ADHD
 • Why it took years to get diagnosed
 • How cannabis helps with pain, appetite, sleep, and emotional regulation
 • Oils vs vapes vs smoking vs suppositories
 • THC on the vulva
 • The mental load of living with invisible illness
 • What to do if your doctor won’t listen
 • How to use cannabis with intention, not as a crutch
 • Why stigma still silences women and how we’re changing that

You can find Lillie on IG @sexwithlillie Or at www.lilliebrown.com.au

Resources:

In our conversation we mention the 'in the weeds study - published on June 12th 2025'. Here is the link to that study https://raf.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/raf/6/2/RAF-24-0098.xml
PMDD information and support https://www.iapmd.org/ for 

Endometriosis information and support: www.qendo.org.au or https://endometriosisaustralia.org/

Let’s keep talking:
Lillie and I will be back soon with a special series on sex and cannabis. We’ll be mixing science, storytelling, and plenty of juicy, practical tips. Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Slide into the DMs @cannacuriousaus or @sexwithlillie or leave a comment on the show.

If you loved this episode, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

Disclaimer:
We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice. Everything shared here is based on our personal lived experiences and the stories of others. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.

Cannabis is made up of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, ethers & esters, lipids & waxes, proteins & enzymes and carbohydrates.

For more reading on cannabinoids:

The Essential Guide to CBD by Ryan Lewis & the team at Project CBD

Cannabis is Medicine by Dr Bonni Goldstein

The cannabinoids I talked about on today’s episode:

THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol):
The main psychoactive compound in cannabis, known for its pain-relieving, anti-nausea, and appetite-stimulating effects.

CBD (Cannabidiol):
A non-intoxicating cannabinoid with anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and seizure-reducing properties.

CBG (Cannabigerol):
Often called the "mother cannabinoid," CBG is being studied for its potential to support gut health, mood, and neuroprotection.

THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin):
A cannabinoid with potential appetite-suppressant and blood sugar-regulating effects - sometimes called "diet weed."

CBN (Cannabinol):
Formed as THC ages, CBN is mildly psychoactive and often promoted for sleep and relaxation support.

CBC (Cannabichromene):
Non-intoxicating and anti-inflammatory, CBC may support brain health by encouraging the growth of new neurons.

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

Disclaimer:
We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice. Everything shared here is based on our personal lived experiences and the stories of others. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.

What happens when your instincts whisper something the doctors won’t say out loud?

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Erin Oudshoorn - mother to the incredible Luella, and founder of the Lulu Love Project. Erin shares the raw and honest story of Luella’s diagnosis with infantile spasms at just 11 weeks old, and the years that followed - filled with uncertainty, exhaustion, and an unshakable drive to find another way.

We talk about what it means to follow your gut when the medical system says no, how Erin first turned to CBD in the face of resistance, and why trusting your inner voice might just be the most powerful medicine we have.

This is a conversation about grit, grief, and hope. About parenting in the unknown. And about listening closely—to yourself, your child, and the stories that don’t always make it into the textbooks.

Reach out to Erin:

@little.lulu.love

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

Disclaimer:
We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice. Everything shared here is based on our personal lived experiences and the stories of others. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.

In this episode of Seeded, Kyla sits down with Bee and Ray for a real, unfiltered conversation about periods, pain, perimenopause, and everything we were never taught about our bodies. 

From the awkwardness of first bleeds and being put on the pill way too young, to hormone-fuelled migraines and the shame that still lingers around menstruation - we go there.

With stories that will make you laugh, cringe, and maybe feel a little less alone, we talk about how food, plant medicine, and giving ourselves permission to rest have helped us reconnect with our cycles in a way our younger selves never could have imagined.

Topics we cover:

• Why migraines, mood swings, and anxiety might not be “just stress”
• What happened when we finally started tracking our cycles
• How CBD and THC can support painful periods and perimenopause
• The wild side effects of hormonal contraception (and how we figured it out the hard way)
• Replacing shame with sisterhood, and painkillers with proper toolkits
• Why we should all be journaling, celebrating our bleed, and maybe building a hut

Recommended Reading: 

Period Repair Manual and Hormone Repair Manual by Lara Briden
Referenced: 

The Business of Birth Control documentary by Riki Lake

Bee Mohamed has worked in health policy for over 10 years, bo th in the public and private sectors. Bee was the inaugural CEO of ScriptWise, a health promotion charity addressing prescription medication addiction and overdose in Australia. 

Bee is passionate about patient advocacy and working towards better drug policy reforms in Australia. She is currently an Ambassador for Harm Reduction Australia and Founder of Mata, an online platform sharing stories from the plant medicine industry.

You can find her storytelling at @mata_gathering

Ray Steele is a storyteller and connector, finding her path in this work through involvement in social responsibility, agroecology, regenerative and bioregional projects for over 10 years. She is a passionate living systems advocate.

After 15 years of severe migraines, a return to natural therapies offered her relief and heightened awareness of the interconnectedness between healing and living systems.

You can find her @ray.steele

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

Disclaimer:
We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice. Everything shared here is based on our personal lived experiences and the stories of others. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.

In this episode of Canna Curious, Kyla sits down with hemp educator and community leader Karen Burge, founder of The Hemporium and co-founder of the iconic Canna Nannas movement. 

Karen shares her personal journey with plant medicine, how she overcame autoimmune illness, and her tireless advocacy for hemp as a solution for health, sustainability, and social justice.

From her early days publishing a grassroots magazine and meditating on the beach to standing firm in the Bentley Blockade and running for political office, Karen’s story is one of courage, conviction, and deep care for future generations.

Topics we cover:

• Karen’s health journey and how hemp turned things around.
• The difference between hemp and cannabis (and why that matters).
• What the endocannabinoid system is — and why we’re not being taught about it.
• How hemp can revolutionise housing, clothing, and food systems.
• The origins and mission of the Canna Nannas
• Her vision for a future where every backyard grows medicine

Links & Mentions:

- Visit The Hemporium: thehemporium.com.au
- Follow Karen on Facebook: facebook.com/thehemporium
- Learn about the endocannabinoid system: projectcbd.org
- Mentioned: Dr. Ethan Russo, Dr. William Courtney, Dr. Andrew Katelaris

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

Disclaimer:
We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice. Everything shared here is based on our personal lived experiences and the stories of others. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.

What happens when modern medicine leaves you out of options? Amanda shares her powerful story of enduring ulcerative colitis and stage 4 cancer, and finding healing and strength through cannabis. From suppositories to homemade oils and her new partnership with the game-changing Noids Machine, this episode is a masterclass in patient advocacy, plant medicine, and resilience.

This episode is for you whether you're curious about cannabis and chronic illness, or want a behind-the-scenes look at how real women are reclaiming their health

To get in touch with Amanda you can find her: 

Instagram: @amanda_white_stayelevated

To purchase a Noids machine https://www.noids.com.au/ enter code CC at checkout for a $47 discount. Follow them @noids.au

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

Disclaimer:
We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice. Everything shared here is based on our personal lived experiences and the stories of others. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.

In this episode of the Canna Curious Podcast, Kyla sits down with longtime friend and cannabis advocate Chrissie Butler to talk about her evolving relationship with the plant. 

From migraines to mood swings, endometriosis to the hormonal rollercoaster that is perimenopause, Chrissie opens up about using cannabis across different life stages - and how she’s had to adapt her rituals, mindset, and medical conversations as her body changed.

You can find Chrissie on:

Instagram: @energy.nirvana

Website: https://www.energynirvana.com.au

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

Disclaimer:
We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice. Everything shared here is based on our personal lived experiences and the stories of others. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.