Dr. Phillip Drum - No Such Thing as Medical Marijuana

Dr. Phillip Drum - No Such Thing as Medical Marijuana

Author: Joanie Sigal March 20, 2026 Duration: 41:56

The conversation covers the personal tragedy that led to advocacy, the evolution of marijuana, the impact of THC, roadside testing, controlled substance classification, medical marijuana misconceptions, marijuana research and FDA approval, and the impact of marijuana legalization. It also addresses the public health and safety concerns, marijuana-related incidents, and the need for advocacy and action.

Takeaways

Marijuana's evolution has led to higher THC concentrations

The legal system and testing methods for marijuana are inadequate

Chapters

00:00 Personal Tragedy and Advocacy

05:54 THC Absorption and Testing

11:04 Marijuana Classification

16:23 Medical Marijuana Studies

21:40 Marijuana Research and FDA Approval

27:28 Public Health and Safety

Our guest today is Dr. Phillip Drum, a veteran clinical pharmacist and educator who has spent the last 13 years at the intersection of science and advocacy. From managing hospital pharmacy programs to training Drug Recognition Experts and advising the California Governor’s office, Dr. Drum is a recognized authority on the impact of marijuana on our roads. He was the sole pharmacist invited to present at a landmark DEA hearing, and he’s here to give us the clinical facts on marijuana today.

Take action today and write to the administration: president@whitehouse.gov

Please ask him NOT to reclassify marijuana from a CS1 to a CSIII.  His reason for moving it to a CSIII was because he said that it could be studied more.  Please let him know that since 1985 there have been 11,309 studies done to the tune of 4.7 billion dollars of taxpayer money and as a result, not one FDA approval was given for marijuana or cannabis. As a citizen, you urge him to leave marijuana as a controlled substance (CS) I.

For more information read: The Attacker smoked Cannabis by Ross Granger



Hosted by Joanie Sigal, The Addiction Podcast-Point of No Return is a raw and necessary conversation about substance use and the path out of it. This isn't a clinical lecture, but a collection of real voices from the heart of the crisis. You'll hear from people who have lived through addiction to opioids, heroin, cocaine, prescription drugs, and fentanyl, sharing their journeys from dependence to recovery. The podcast also makes space for the families and loved ones whose lives are intertwined with this struggle, offering their perspectives on the chaos, the repeated attempts at rehab, and the strategies that finally made a difference. Each episode tackles the complex societal and personal issues surrounding addiction, all while grounding the discussion in tangible hope and practical recovery options. By focusing on these firsthand accounts, Joanie creates a podcast that serves as both a lifeline and a roadmap for anyone touched by this challenge-whether you're seeking help for yourself or striving to understand how to support someone else. Tune in for stories that don't shy away from the darkness but consistently point toward the light of resilience and regained control.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Addiction Podcast-Point of No Return
Podcast Episodes
Charlotte Bismuth Advocating for the Victims of the Opioid Pandemic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:47
Charlotte Bismuth was an attorney who started her career as a litigation associate. After joining the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor in 2010, she began investigating a doctor who was illegally overprescribing…
Darryl Strawberry Sharing My Spiritual Healing and Recovery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:55
Darryl Strawberry is described as a baseball legend by many who have been dazzled by the dynamics of his game. His many accomplishments in the major leagues include four World Series titles, eight All-Star Game appearanc…
Ryan Leaf Former NFL Giving Back in a Big Way [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:40
Ryan David Leaf champions those battling mental and behavioral health issues, urging us to rethink mental health and addiction. He aims to crush the stigma, declaring, "asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness…
Steven May Purdue Pharma Whistleblower [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:33
Steven May reflected on his legal journey, noting that despite losing the case on a technical motion to dismiss, the experience during discovery was profoundly enlightening. His case had traversed through various stages,…
Rick Mountcastle and Ed Bisch Forcing the Sacklers to Admit Guilt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:23
Ed Bisch's son died of an overdose of Oxycontin. Ed didn't sit by. He started researching Oxycontin and its manufacturer - Purdue Pharma; AND the family behind it - The Sacklers. He has been fighting this battle for year…
David Sanchez Creating Healthier Safer and Drug Free Communities [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:40
Born in Redondo Beach, California, David Sanchez began learning about drugs at age 9 when a neighbor offered him marijuana. By age 15, he was using harder drugs that first led to juvenile jail and eventually to multiple…
Laura Stack Johnny's Ambassadors Educating about the New Marijuana [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:51
Johnny Stack was born on February 7, 2000 and died by suicide on November 20, 2019 at the age of 19. He was an incredibly intelligent, funny, charming, handsome young man, which you can see in his tribute video. We are a…
Dr Ken Finn An Evidenced Based Approach to Marijuana [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:33
We've talked about marijuana many times on the podcast and noted that quite a few of the former addicts started their drug path with marijuana. In this episode, Dr. Kenneth Finn from Colorado gives us the facts about the…
Philip Eil Author Prescription for Pain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:22
Philip Eil is an award-winning freelance journalist based in his hometown, Providence, Rhode Island. He is the former news editor of the alt-weekly newspaper, The Providence Phoenix. Since the paper's close in 2014, he h…
Michael DeLeon Dangerous Times for Drugging Kids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:43
Michael R. DeLeon, a successfully acclimated ex-offender who after nearly 8 years of drug addiction and gang involvement, spent 12 years in state prison and half-way houses for a gang-related homicide. Michael plead guil…