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 There’s a deliberate and thoughtful choice in language here, too, favoring the term “cannabis” over other outdated labels.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
291. The Untold Story That Made Legal Weed Possible [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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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]

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286. How the Endocannabinoid System Could Transform Women’s Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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285. From Pain to Progress: Ellen’s Endometriosis Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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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…