Freedom To Know Wellness (FTKW) is a disability and health social enterprise. An online resource platform to connect and bridge the gap between practitioners (medical and holistic) and the community of those suffering from chronic, complex medical and pain disorders, female reproductive challenges and miscarriages. We dive into how all aspects of these conditions affect one’s mental health and address the challenges they face maneuvering through the Ontario medical, employment and disability system.
Follow for transparent, engaging conversations with patients and practitioners.
Why Was Cannabis Illegal in Canada? Racism, Prohibition & the Rise of Cannabis Medicine
How did cannabis transform from a restricted plant in 1923 to a recognized wellness tool under Bill C-45 in 2018? In this docu-short, we explore the hidden legal history of Canada’s drug laws, the anti-Asian, anti-Black, and anti-Indigenous laws and racial motivations behind early prohibition, and the historical medical and health benefits of cannabis that ultimately contributed to reform.
This docu-short is taken from Medical Cannabis for Pain and PTSD
🎬 Watch the full episode
(S1 Ep12): https://youtu.be/3WgRvlNvCMM
📚Documentary Resources: https://freedomtoknowwellness.substack.com/p/canadas-cannabis-laws-the-racist
📌 Subscribe to Freedom To Know Wellness for more deep dives into health, wellness, and the history behind them!
https://freedomtoknowwellness.substack.com/
🎵 Music Rights from Canva Pro
Artist: Sigma Music Art
Title: Documentary History Background
Educational & Fair Use Disclaimer:
This video is created strictly for educational, historical, and documentary purposes under Fair Dealing (Canada) and Fair Use principles (Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act). All historical images, legal references, and scientific diagrams are included to provide socio-political analysis and objective health education regarding the history of cannabis regulation. This content is not intended as medical or legal advice.
Timestamps:
00:00 Cannabis legalization in Canada (Oct 17, 2018) & medical benefits
00:24 Racist roots of Canada's opioid laws & the 1908 Opium Act
00:48 Chinese railroad workers & anti-Chinese immigration laws
01:14 Racial profiling & disproportionate arrests of Black & Indigenous people
01:49 Data on over-representation of Black Canadians in cannabis arrests
02:21 Systemic racism embedded in the legal system
02:42 Bill C-93: Record suspension for simple cannabis possession
03:09 Limitations of the expungement program
03:35 Medical benefits of cannabis & the endocannabinoid system
04:18 Endocannabinoids in the body & ongoing research
04:49 Closing & article links
#cannabiseducation #MedicalCannabis #CannabisHistory #canadianlaws #asianhistory #blackhistory #indigenoushistory
21 Jul 2026
Alison Myrden: Fighting Pain and M.S with Psilocybin & Cannabis
In this episode, legendary Canadian drug policy reform advocate Alison Myrden shares why patient advocacy and scientific research are vital for chronic pain care using medical cannabis and psilocybin.
Living with multiple sclerosis and severe chronic pain from Trigeminal Neuralgia (often dubbed the "suicide disease"), Alison became one of the first people in Canada to receive a federal exemption to legally use medical cannabis.
In this episode, we explore:
• The State of Research: Why psilocybin trials for pain management must catch up to cannabis.
• Legal & Regulatory Barriers: The institutional hurdles researchers face under current drug policies.
• Alison's Journey: Decades of pioneering compassionate healthcare, harm reduction, and reform.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Why Legal Research Matters
00:33 Podcast Intro
01:22 Meet Alison Myrden
02:32 Early Cannabis and MS Symptoms
05:10 Diagnosis Delays and Mislabels
08:09 Gary’s Support and Surgeries
10:48 Meds vs Cannabis Relief
11:33 Supplements and Vitamin D Regimen
15:27 Website and Advocacy Origins
16:25 Work, Mobility, and Staying Positive
19:49 Trigeminal Pain and Psilocybin Discovery
22:43 From Opioids to Drug Law Reform
29:50 Psilocybin Dosing and Rapid Relief
31:24 Suicide Level Pain
32:05 Trauma After Episodes
32:58 Beating MS Mobility Odds
34:29 Advocacy Origins and LEAP
38:27 Exoneration from Cannabis Records
41:00 Protest and Key Organizations
43:37 Podcasts and Sharing the Message
45:52 Treatment Advice and Dosing
49:02 Legal Fight for Access
52:50 From Opioids to Natural Relief
54:50 Supplements and Liver Protection
59:41 Closing Thoughts on Support
Connect with Alison Myrden: https://alisonmyrden.ca (https://alisonmyrden.ca/)
Theme Music: “Hold You” – Q-Black (licensed)
Disclaimer: This content is for educational and historical documentation purposes only. It depicts federally authorized medical cannabis administration in Canada for chronic pain management. This channel does not encourage or promote the illegal use of regulated substances.
21 Jul 2026
FTKWellness @ The FOLD 2025 RECAP | Disability & Healing Stories Series Finale
Celebrate 10 years of The FOLD (https://thefoldcanada.org/) with Freedom To Know Wellness in the series finale of Disability & Healing Stories – FTKWellness at The FOLD!
Experience The FOLD 2025 like never before, from virtual workshops and global networking to in-person panels, cultural events, and career-boosting sessions. This milestone festival celebrates diverse Canadian and immigrant authors, highlights inclusive storytelling, and honours literary diversity across Canada—all while showcasing how the art of writing can be a powerful healing modality.
Inside the Recap:
Virtual Experience: Accessible workshops, interactive sessions, and global networking opportunities.
In-Person Highlights: Powerful panels and discussions at Brampton’s Rose Theatre, including the “Critical Conversations” panel.
Eat the Books: Literary and cultural dining adventures that bring the stories to life.
Community Fun: Laughter, connection, and festival energy between sessions.
Accessibility Notes: Transcription link (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kePAtuh9ufuMlId_T6ynBqx4G6Ml36qP/view?usp=sharing)for the episode.
Special thanks to The FOLD team, Executive Director Jael Richardson and Program Coordinator Hudson Lin, for giving FTK Wellness access to cover The FOLD’s 2025 10th anniversary.
📍Follow and Subscribe to Freedom To Know Wellness
freedomtoknowwellness.substack.com (https://freedomtoknowwellness.substack.com/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
6,850
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
29
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
27
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