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 There’s a deliberate and thoughtful choice in language here, too, favoring the term “cannabis” over other outdated labels.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
252. Rethinking Painkillers: Cannabis For Exercise Recovery, Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:44
In the third and final episode of our Weed & Workouts series, we delve into the powerful role cannabis can play as a safer alternative to opioids for pain management. We chat with Anna Symonds, a former elite rugby playe…
250. Runner’s High is Real: Weed & Workouts, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:15
With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, we’re excited to kick off a new 3-part series about the intersection of cannabis and fitness. In this episode, we’ll chat with Hilary Achauer, a California-based journalist who ins…
249. Comedy + Cannabis: Perfect Pairings for a Good Laugh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:12
Today’s show is all about putting a smile on your face! We’re pairing the popular cannabis strains Jack Herer and Strawberry Cough with some of the best comedy podcasts to bring you some much-deserved laughter and relaxa…
245. Marijuana Minister: Celebrating Pride With Stereotypes Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:35
This month, we are celebrating Pride with a brand new series! We’ll explore how the 1980s AIDS crisis in San Francisco led to the birth of medical cannabis and sparked a national legalization movement. Before our series…
244. Parenting and Cannabis: How to Talk to Your Kids About Weed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:35
If you were to guess where teen cannabis consumption was higher, would you assume states where weed is legal or illegal? The answer might surprise you! In today's episode, we tackle the tricky topic of talking to kids ab…