293. AIDS, Cannabis & Courage: The Doctor On A Mission, part 2

293. AIDS, Cannabis & Courage: The Doctor On A Mission, part 2

Author: Ellen Scanlon June 17, 2025 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 giving up, he fought to bring relief to patients through medical cannabis. In part two of our Webby Award nominated three-part series, host Ellen Scanlon introduces you to Dr. Abrams, who shares his experience with loss, injustice, and resilience that led him to challenge the federal government, support legendary activists like Brownie Mary, and secure the first U.S. government grant to study cannabis for medical use. In this episode, you’ll learn: How the AIDS crisis helped ignite the medical cannabis movement Why San Francisco became ground zero for radical, compassionate care What it took to convince the U.S. government to approve a cannabis study This is one of the most powerful stories we’ve ever told. Don’t miss it. Hosted by Ellen Scanlon Sign up for Ellen’s newsletter on Substack at https://dothepot.substack.com/ or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dothepot.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor, 1906. Looking for an easy swap for that second glass of wine? Off Duty is a new fast-acting cannabis shot from 1906. It’s unflavored, low-dose, and mixes right into a mocktail or sparkling water. Try Off Duty at 1906.shop and use the code DOTHEPOT for 15% off your order.

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 There’s a deliberate and thoughtful choice in language here, too, favoring the term “cannabis” over other outdated labels.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
303. Edge-of-Your-Seat Movie Nights: Scary, Horror & Action Picks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:48
What makes the ultimate scary or action-packed movie night? In Part 3 of How to Do the Pot’s Summer Movie Nights series, host Ellen Scanlon is joined by Sophia Wronsky, writer of the popular Substack Sophia is Voracious,…
301. Laughs, Friends, & Movie Nights: The Perfect Summer Combo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:04
What makes the perfect summer movie night? In part 1 of How to Do the Pot's Summer Movie Nights series, host Ellen Scanlon sits down with Sophia Wronsky, writer of the popular Substack Sophia is Voracious and an enthusia…
297. How to Host with Weed: Summer Parties with Jamie Evans, part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:24
Curious about how cannabis drinks are reshaping the way women host parties? In part 1 of host Ellen Scanlon’s conversation with Jamie Evans—founder of The Herb Somm and a certified sommelier—we explore why low-dose THC b…
295. Fireworks, Friends & a Little Gelato: A Feel-Good Summer Favorite [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:06
Looking for the perfect cannabis strain to sweeten your summer? We’ve added Gelato to our Essential Strains series—a curated list designed to help women skip the overwhelm and discover strains you’ll really love. Host El…
294. Why Women Still Don’t Know They’re at Risk for HIV, part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:36
In the final episode of our Webby-nominated series Before Legal Weed: The Untold Story of AIDS & Cannabis, host Ellen Scanlon explores why so many women—especially Black women—are still left out of conversations about HI…