Beyond The Script: Your UK podcast on medical cannabis

What is the ‘Beyond the Script’ podcast?

The ‘Beyond the Script’ podcast was launched by Releaf, in collaboration with Business of Cannabis, to help make important information around medical cannabis more accessible to those who need it most. This medical cannabis podcast is about more than answering common questions like, ‘What is medical cannabis?, ‘Is medical cannabis legal in the UK?’ and ‘How to get a medical cannabis prescription’. We take a deep dive on some of the most pressing topics affecting the sector.

New episodes are now released monthly, following the release of the first four instalments in June. Of course, our target audience are patients who are currently prescribed, or may be interested in accessing, medical cannabis; however, we also encourage non-patients to listen along! 

Topics explored on the podcast so far

We have now released six episodes of ‘Beyond the Script’, all of which are available to listen and download on Spotify and YouTube. In each episode, we tackle a different topic, with the help of a new expert guest. So, what have we covered so far?

Episode 1 - Inside the UK's medical cannabis industry - what needs to change?

In our first instalment, CEOs, Releaf’s Tim Kirby and Glass Pharms®’ James Duckenfield, sit down to discuss the ever-evolving medical cannabis sector. In particular, we learn more about the partnership between Releaf and Glass Pharms, and how it is dedicated to providing a consistent supply of high-quality, domestically cultivated cannabis-based medical products to patients in the UK. 

When the deal was announced in 2024, it was the first deal of its kind in the UK. But more importantly, it was simply the latest step in Releaf’s mission to champion patient advovacy. 

Topics discussed in the podcast include the challenges of building a reliable medical cannabis supply chain, innovations in cultivation techniques (including eco-friendly approaches to growing), and our vision for the future. Listen along to learn more about the UK’s medical cannabis market and Releaf’s dedication to patient advocacy and supporting a reliable and consistent supply of cannabis based medicines for those who need them most.

Episode 2 - Power, politics, and the future of UK medical cannabis

In episode 2 of ‘Beyond the Script’, Tim Kirby is joined by Robert Jappie, partner at Fieldfisher LLP - a European law firm with unrivalled experience with the region’s cannabis industry, including in the UK and the European Union. 

Despite the legalisation of medical cannabis back in 2018, the framework around access to cannabis-based medicines remains restrictive, highlighting the need for patient-focused innovation. 

Kirby and Jappie tackle this head on, discussing the reasons behind the stalemates and how they are hindering cultivation, distribution, and access, as well as the positive effects of education, and how the UK can learn from other medical cannabis markets around the world. 

Episode 3 - Exploring the Endocannabinoid System: A New Era in Therapy

In this special edition episode, Releaf's Chief Medical Officer, Graham Woodward, discusses the endocannabinoid system (ECS) with leading cannabinoid researcher Professor Saoirse O’Sullivan. 

They dive into the mechanics of the ECS and how cannabis works in our bodies - something that remained unknown until only a few decades ago! From there, we learn how these discoveries have shaped medical cannabis therapy, and how much further we still need to go. 

While many people have now heard of the two most common cannabinoids - cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahyrocannabinol (THC) - there are many other cannabis compounds that have demonstrated therapeutic potential. Graham and Professor O’Sullivan discuss these compounds in more detail, and how they can help to create more personalised medical cannabis treatments for a wide range of conditions. 

Importantly, we also learn more about current clinical evidence supporting the use of medical cannabis and where this research is headed in the future. 

Episode 4 - Unlocking the Medical Cannabis Market: Revolutionising Access and Innovation

In episode 4 of ‘Beyond the Script’, Tim Kirby is joined by CEO and Chairman of the Board for SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals, Michael Sassano. The two discuss potential strategies for expanding the medical cannabis market in the UK. 

The conversation explores every aspect of the UK’s medical cannabis market, the challenges that face it, and action needed to revolutionise it. Listen along to learn more about cannabis extraction techniques and product development, quality assurance and supply chains, global market trends, and much, much more! 

Touching on current challenges, from patient accessibility to supply chain issues, this episode highlights the importance of educating doctors and patients, expanding medical cannabis product forms, and maintaining high standards of patient care. 

Episode 5 - From Anecdote to Evidence: Using Data for Advanced Access

For the fifth instalment of the ‘Beyond the Script’ podcast, released in July, Releaf’s Chief Medical Officer Graham Woodward discusses the importance of evidence with Head of Research at Drug Science, Dr Anne Katrin Schlag. The two discuss how we can transfer anecdotal reports from patients to real-world evidence supporting the medical potential of cannabis-based medicines - a crucial consideration for expanding access to these potentially life-changing medications. 

Despite being legal in the UK for over six years, access to medical cannabis remains limited. Current guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) means that cannabis-based medicines are rarely available through the NHS, with the vast majority of prescriptions being processed through private medical cannabis clinics like Releaf. A lack of clinical evidence is one of the key reasons for NICE’s restrictive recommendations, and so, gathering real-world data remains critical. 

Graham and Dr Anne Katrin Schlag discuss the impact of Drug Science’s T21 Patient Registry and the insights gleaned from it, as well as the importance of education and what we can learn from international perspectives.

Episode 6 - Rethinking Healthcare Leadership: Purpose-Driven Practice in Action

In our latest episode, Releaf’s CEO Tim Kirby is joined by Professor Chris Shambrook, a renowned performance psychologist and advisor to Great Britain’s Olympic rowing team, to discuss how high-performance principles in elite sport can translate into creating a more human-centred approach to healthcare leadership. 

This episode draws a fascinating link between high-performance sports and effective healthcare leadership. Tim shares how Professor Shambrook’s approach to developing high-performance frameworks and cultures has influenced his own approach over the years. 

The two discuss the importance of implementing consistent behaviours in achieving desired outcomes, and how this can be put in practice within the healthcare sector. 

Plans for the future of ‘Beyond the Script’

Since our launch in February 2024, our commitment to improving patient experiences has never waivered. This can be seen through our dedication to establishing a consistent product supply, and championing patient voices. The ‘Beyond the Script’ podcast is the next step in our mission to improve education around medical cannabis through credible and compelling content and conversations.

We’re thrilled with the response we have already received to our first six episodes (episode 1 already has almost 3,000 views on YouTube!) and we look forward to discussing the ins and outs of the medical cannabis industry with more experts in the future, and of course, we hope you will continue to follow along! 

The ‘Beyond the Script’ podcast is available to play on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. We encourage our patients, readers, and listeners to get involved by suggesting topics you would like to hear discussed on the podcast; simply leave a comment on YouTube to let us know your ideas!