Is cannabis medicine, wellness, recreation… or all three?

In Episode 129 of The Elevated News Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Amanda Reiman, PhD, MSW, cannabis researcher, policy expert, former Drug Policy Alliance leader, and founder of Personal Plants, for one of the most balanced and honest conversations we have ever had about cannabis.

We break down:

• The real risks of cannabis use

• What a THC overdose actually is

• Medical vs wellness vs recreational use

• Minimum effective dose and why most people over consume

• Cannabis and mental health

• Why U.S. research is so limited

• Capitalism, corporatization, and the future of legalization

• How stories change laws

• Why legalization is not perfect but still better than prohibition

Dr. Reiman brings a rare middle ground perspective. Cannabis has powerful benefits, but it also has risks. The key is mindful use.

If you care about cannabis policy, health, harm reduction, or the future of legalization, this is a must watch episode.

Timestamps:

00:00 Tasty Intro

00:58 Introducing Dr. Amanda Reiman

02:42 Dr. Reiman’s backstory and cannabis activism

10:43 Harms and risks in cannabis use

16:43 When cannabis may lead to harm

22:58 Tips for safer cannabis use

30:09 Condition treatment vs symptom relief

35:26 The state of cannabis research

44:20 What she is optimistic about in the next 5 years

55:21 Law enforcement, prohibition, and money

59:21 Critical thinking shoutout

01:01:19 www.MyPersonalPlants.com

01:03:02 Outro

If you have ever wondered:

How much weed is too much?

Can you actually overdose on THC?

Is cannabis treating conditions or just symptoms?

What happens next for legalization?

This episode answers it.

Drop a comment and tell us:

Do you think cannabis is mostly medical, wellness, or recreational?

What does mindful use mean to you?

Subscribe for weekly Midwest cannabis news, culture, and policy breakdowns.

Watch, like, share, and most importantly, think critically.

Follow Dr. Amanda Reiman:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-reiman-phd-msw

https://www.MyPersonalPlants.com

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#Cannabis #Legalization #MedicalCannabis #THC #DrugPolicy #HarmReduction #TwoDopeDudes

Winter blues, cannabis truths, and a BIG shift happening in the industry 👀🌿 This episode is a real one — from mental health and seasonal burnout to major moves in the cannabis market that could change the game for growers and consumers alike.

Aaron and Dave kick things off talking about winter, community, and why getting outside (or even just tending plants under grow lights) can be a serious mental health tool. Then it’s straight into Midwest cannabis news, industry shake-ups, and a deep dive into why THC drinks are suddenly everywhere.

In this episode, we get into:

❄️ Seasonal depression & cannabis — the connection between sunlight, vitamin D, movement, and how growing or being around plants can boost mental wellness

🥏 Community as medicine — disc golf, shared hobbies, and why social connection matters just as much as the plant

🌱 Illinois cannabis updates — new omnibus bills, medical patient access, and what’s not being fixed yet

💰 Falling sales & market pressure — what shrinking numbers could mean for the future of the Illinois cannabis industry

🚨 California’s illicit market crackdown — record seizures and what happens when legal systems squeeze small operators

🏢 Corporate consolidation alert — major gardening and cannabis companies making huge acquisition moves that could impact growers nationwide

🥤 THC drinks takeover — why cannabis beverages are exploding during “Dry January,” how they differ from edibles, and why they might be better for beginners

🧠 Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner — the science behind cannabis drinks vs edibles, bioavailability, onset time, and microdosing

This episode blends cannabis policy, personal health, industry insight, and real-life experience — exactly how the plant fits into everyday life beyond the headlines.

Support the show and save with our partners below.

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Use code TwoDopeDudes for 5% off!

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Sources discussed in the show:

https://illinoisnewsjoint.com/illinois-releases-cannabis-sales-totals-for-2025/

https://illinoisnewsjoint.com/illinois-house-introduces-third-cannabis-omnibus-bill/

https://mjbizdaily.com/news/california-reports-record-illicit-cannabis-seizures-as-cultivation-tax-cut/614209/

https://mjbizdaily.com/news/scotts-miracle-gro-to-sell-off-cannabis-subsidiary-to-marijuana-mso-vireo-growth/614203/

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/business/cannabis-thc-alcoholic-beverages.html

Cannabis sales are breaking records across the country, but the real story is what is happening underneath the surface.

In this episode of The Elevated News Podcast, Two Dope Dudes break down fresh cannabis sales data from Arkansas, Minnesota, Michigan, and Montana, revealing what strong numbers, soft months, and billion dollar milestones actually mean for the future of legal cannabis.

We also dive into new research showing that sterilization and remediation do not fully remove toxic fungi from cannabis, raising serious questions about consumer safety and large scale production practices. Plus, we unpack the ATF’s move to loosen federal gun restrictions for cannabis users and what that shift could mean for Second Amendment rights.

The episode wraps with Dave’s Conditional Cannabis Corner, where we dig into cannabis math, methods of consumption, absorption rates, and why cannabinoid ratios matter far more than chasing THC percentages.

If you care about cannabis policy, market trends, consumer safety, or using cannabis more intentionally, this episode delivers real context without the hype.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Arkansas medical cannabis sales hitting a record $291 million in 2025

• Minnesota adult use cannabis sales since launch and ongoing market bottlenecks

• Michigan cannabis sales trends and why December slowed down

• Montana surpassing $1 billion in adult use cannabis sales

• Why remediation does not fully remove toxic fungi from cannabis

• ATF changes to gun restrictions for cannabis users

• Missouri growers fined for breaking the “immaculate conception” rule

• Cannabis dosing, absorption, and smarter consumption strategies

Sources discussed in this episode:

https://mjbizdaily.com/news/arkansas-medical-cannabis-sales-hit-record-291-million-in-2025/614135/

https://mjbizdaily.com/news/minnesota-adult-use-cannabis-sales-hit-31-million-since-september-launch/614124/

https://www.newcannabisventures.com/michigan-cannabis-sales-were-soft-in-december/

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/montana-retailers-have-sold-more-than-1-billion-worth-of-recreational-marijuana-since-legalization-took-effect/

https://www.technologynetworks.com/analysis/news/sterilization-does-not-fully-remove-toxic-fungi-from-cannabis-408810

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/atf-moves-to-loosen-gun-ban-for-people-whove-used-marijuana-or-other-illegal-drugs/

https://missouriindependent.com/2026/01/23/missouri-cannabis-growers-fined-for-breaking-the-immaculate-conception-rule/

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Leave a review, share the episode, and tell us what topic you want us to cover next.

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