The Best Cannabis Podcasts and TED Talks Worth Your Time

The best cannabis podcasts and talks right now range from TEDx stages, where doctors and scientists break down medical marijuana, to long-running shows like Getting Doug with High, CannaInsider and Cannabis Economy. Some are pure entertainment, others go deep on growing, science or the business side of weed.

Below is our pick of the best TED talks and podcasts about cannabis. From entrepreneurs to doctors and chemists, these voices bring a fresh angle on the herb, its history, its uses and a lot more.

Cannabis TED talks: doctors and scientists take the stage

If you want the medical and scientific side of weed explained by people who actually work with it, start here. These TED and TEDx talks dig into medical cannabis, its history and what it may (and may not) do for patients.

Watch how doctors, psychologists and researchers talk about marijuana, and how they're reshaping the way we understand a plant humans have used for thousands of years.

1. "A Doctor's Case for Medical Marijuana" - David Casarett

Dr. David Casarett, a palliative care physician, walks through his own journey with medical cannabis. From combing the research to visiting dispensaries, he looks at what weed can offer patients living with chronic illness. A refreshingly honest take from inside the medical world that strips away a lot of the mystery around medical marijuana.

2. "Making Peace With Cannabis" - Zachary Walsh

Psychologist Zachary Walsh tackles the history and use of cannabis and pushes back on the negative stereotypes. From its historical roots to its effects on mental health, Walsh gives a grounded, evidence-based look at cannabis use in Canada. A must-watch if you're into the psychology of weed.

3. "Behind the Smoke Screen of Medical Cannabis" - Dedi Meiri

Dedi Meiri, an associate professor of biology, digs into how complicated cannabis really is as a medicine. With more than 500 varieties in his lab, he makes the case that we still need to understand the plant much better. A moving talk that shows just how much medical potential is still on the table.

4. "As Opioids Keep Killing, We Look to Marijuana as a New Painkiller" - Ricardo Baca

Ricardo Baca, the Denver Post's first-ever marijuana editor, takes on the opioid crisis in the United States. He looks at cannabis as a pain reliever and argues it deserves a place as a safer alternative. A talk that challenges assumptions and puts weed's painkilling potential front and center.

5. "The Potential Benefits of Medical Marijuana" - Dr. Alan Shackelford

Harvard-trained Dr. Alan Shackelford shares what he's learned treating patients with medical cannabis. Through the story of Charlotte Figi, the young girl with severe epilepsy who helped spark a movement, he highlights what cannabis may offer patients who don't respond to conventional treatment. A rare view from a mainstream doctor.

6. "Medical Marijuana: When the Disease Beats the Medicine" - Viki Vaurora

Legalization advocate Viki Vaurora tells the moving story of Leela, a patient with terminal cancer who turned to Rick Simpson Oil and, by her account, made a remarkable recovery. Keep in mind that's one patient's story, not clinical evidence. The talk also covers cannabis's deep history in India and the hopes people place on it.

7. "Surprising Truths About Legalizing Cannabis" - Ben Cort

Ben Cort, an author and addiction treatment specialist, picks apart cannabis legalization in the United States. From the economics of the market to shifts in crime rates, Cort offers a critical take that'll make you think, whatever side you're on.

8. "The Cannabis Mirror" - Blair Brown

Blair Brown, a chemist and energy guide, takes the audience through cannabis's long history, from ancient uses all the way to the last 80-odd years of prohibition. An informative talk on how that history still shapes the way we see weed today.

Best cannabis podcasts: to laugh and to learn

"Getting Doug with High" - Doug Benson

Comedian Doug Benson mixes weed and comedy in an hour-long show where he gets high with his guests. With names like Tommy Chong and Sarah Silverman stopping by, plus segments like "Pot Topics" and "High History," it's hours of laughs and hot takes on cannabis.

"The Adam Dunn Show" - Adam Dunn

Adam Dunn, a well-known figure in cannabis culture, hosts a weekly show packing three hours of content. From the news to interviews with doctors and entrepreneurs, it covers every corner of the cannabis world in serious detail.

1. The Royal Queen Seeds Podcast: Every Side of Cannabis

The Royal Queen Seeds podcast is a window into the whole cannabis world. Growing, science, music: episodes feature experts sharing what they know, in several languages. Whether you're at home, at the gym or on your commute, this international show is packed with solid weed info.

2. CannaInsider: The Cannabis Industry From the Inside

CannaInsider gives you an insider's view of the cannabis industry. With deep dives on legalization, jobs, investing and cannabis science, host Matthew Kind interviews experts who share an exclusive look at the business. Tune in if you want to follow how the weed market is evolving.

3. Dude Grows Show: Growing Weed, With Plenty of Fun on the Side

The Dude Grows Show is built around growing marijuana, but it throws in a mix of news, culture and entertainment. Whether you're a seasoned grower or a total rookie, these dudes manage to teach and entertain at the same time. Check out their website for more grow content.

4. Great Moments in Weed History: Funny and Educational

Abdullah and Bean take you through the history of marijuana in a way that's both fun and informative. Each episode zooms in on a historical event tied to cannabis, making it an easy, lighthearted listen for anyone who wants to learn without the lecture.

5. Cannabis Cultivation and Science: The Technical Side of Growing

This one's more technical than the rest, taking a professional approach to growing weed. With discussions on new tech and how cultivation is evolving, it's ideal if you want the nitty-gritty. It's less about entertainment, but it's a goldmine for leveling up your grow skills.

6. Cannabis Economy: The Money Side of the Cannabis World

Cannabis Economy dives into the financial side of the cannabis market. With more than 300 episodes, it serves up bite-size insight into the weed business. From politics to the latest developments, it's essential listening if you want to understand what drives the money in the cannabis industry.