292. Sticky Fingers Brownies: Women, Weed, and the Birth of Medical Cannabis, part 1

292. Sticky Fingers Brownies: Women, Weed, and the Birth of Medical Cannabis, part 1

Author: Ellen Scanlon June 10, 2025 Duration: 34:51
Before weed was legal in any U.S. state, it was medicine passed hand-to-hand—often in the form of a brownie. In part one of our Webby-nominated series Before Legal Weed, host Ellen Scanlon brings you the untold story of how San Francisco’s gay community turned to cannabis during the darkest days of the AIDS crisis—and how a woman-run cannabis operation called Sticky Fingers Brownies quietly became a lifeline. You’ll meet Meridy Volz, a mother delivering pot brownies on roller skates through the Castro in the 1980s, and her daughter, author Alia Volz, who grew up watching a revolution unfold from the back of a stroller. Through powerful personal stories and rarely heard history, you’ll learn: How a women-run cannabis business became a lifeline for the gay community What it was like to grow up in San Francisco during the height of the AIDS epidemic Why this story still matters in today’s conversations around cannabis as medicine

Ellen Scanlon’s How to Do the Pot is an award-winning conversation that demystifies cannabis with a focus on women’s experiences. This isn’t a technical manual or a dry lecture; it’s a space where curiosity meets practical, joyful advice. The podcast explores how cannabis can intersect with health, well-being, and daily life, tackling questions that often go unasked. You’ll hear specific discussions about finding the right strain for relaxation or intimacy, using CBD for menstrual discomfort, and the nuanced differences between varieties like Harlequin and Gelato. There’s a deliberate and thoughtful choice in language here, too, favoring the term “cannabis” over other outdated labels. At its heart, the series amplifies personal stories and expert insights, creating a resource that feels both informative and deeply relatable. Whether you’re seeking relief, exploring for fun, or just want to understand the landscape better, this podcast provides a welcoming and smart guide through the often overwhelming world of cannabis, all from a perspective that is genuinely for women and by women.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

How to Do the Pot
Podcast Episodes
293. AIDS, Cannabis & Courage: The Doctor On A Mission, part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:36
Dr. Donald Abrams was a young gay doctor on the front lines of San Francisco’s AIDS crisis in the 1980s. He watched as his partner and many of his close friends died from a disease no one understood. Yet instead of givin…
291. The Untold Story That Made Legal Weed Possible [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:47
Before any U.S. state legalized cannabis—before it was even officially called medicine—people in San Francisco were baking it into brownies and delivering it in secret to those dying of AIDS. This Pride Month, host Ellen…
289. The Summer Edit: My Favorite Cannabis Products Right Now [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:27
Memorial Day is almost here, and we’re ready for summer. Are you? In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon is joined by innovation expert Nicole Brown to dish on their favorite low-dose THC drinks, CBD + CBG gummies, and calm…
286. How the Endocannabinoid System Could Transform Women’s Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:28
The endocannabinoid system could be the next frontier in women’s health, and the future is closer than you think. In this episode, I talk with Caitlyn Krebs, CEO and co-founder of Nalu Bio, a biotech company using cuttin…
285. From Pain to Progress: Ellen’s Endometriosis Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:21
One in ten women have endometriosis, yet most aren’t diagnosed until they’re struggling to get pregnant or can no longer live with the pain. In this episode, Ellen Scanlon shares her personal story of navigating pain, in…
284. Beyond the Stereotypes: How Women Are Changing the Meaning of 420 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:51
420 isn’t just a party, it’s a chance to reflect, connect, and celebrate cannabis legalization and its evolution in our culture. In this episode, Ellen Scanlon talks with women who share what 420 means to them today. Whe…
283. Why Women Are Choosing Weed Over Advil [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:46
Pain relief without the harsh side effects? In this episode, Ellen and innovation & strategy expert Nicole Brown explore how cannabis is helping people manage everything from menstrual cramps to hangovers to post-surgery…