- 15
- Episodes
- 2023
- First episode
About What's Your Why?
Join medical cannabis industry experts and co-founders of Maple Tree Consultants, Hannah Deacon and Professor Mike Barnes, as they sit down with leading voices from across the sector to explore how they found themselves in the world of medicinal cannabis and why it matters to them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
- Publisher
- Maple Tree Consultants
- Category
- business · health & fitness
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- Yes
- First episode
- 22 Nov 2023
- Latest episode
- 16 Apr 2025
Latest episodes
15 episodes in the feed.
16 Apr 2025
Hannah Simon: What's Your Why?
In the latest episode of What’s Your Why, Hannah and Mike speak to Hannah Simon, one of the original leaders in the UK medical cannabis industry, about her journey over the last seven years. Following a 15-year career in banking and management consultancy, Hannah stumbled upon the emerging medical cannabis sector by accident and was one of the early pioneers when the legislation changed in 2018. Since then she has held several senior positions, playing a key role in shaping the industry and driving its innovation and growth. In her current role as chief operations officer at Script Assist, she is passionate about enhancing patient access and expanding treatment options to patients whether via cannabis clinics or through independent prescribing. In this episode, Hannah discusses her career before medical cannabis, what brought her to the industry, and her thoughts on how it’s evolved over the last seven years. --- A quick mention about the sponsors of this seasons podcast. At Botanical Health Dispensary, we care about you and your prescription. Botanical Health is an independent medical cannabis pharmacy who are dedicated to helping patients by facilitating a medical cannabis dispensing experience that different to anything else available. To us you're a person first – never just a number or yet another prescription. We know what its like to be waiting for your prescription or be unsure about the process and were here to help. Every patient really matters to us and we take full responsibility for ensuring your happy, well informed and feel you can rely on us. If you would like support to use our service please contact us on email www.botanicalhealthdispensery.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
17 Mar 2025
Dr Leon Barron: What's your why?
Cannabis conversations with Hannah Deacon & Prof Mike Barnes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
17 Feb 2025
Dr Anne Schlag: What's Your Why?
Hannah and Mike are back with another episode of What’s Your Why, in which they sit down with Dr Anne Katrin Schlag PhD to discuss her research on medical cannabis with Drug Science. Anne is a Chartered Psychologist and holds Honorary Senior Fellowships at both Imperial College London and King’s College London. As Acting CEO and Head of Research at the charity Drug Science, she leads the research for Drug Science’s Medical Cannabis and Medical Psychedelics Working Groups, publishing widely in both areas. Over the last few years Anne has also co-authored numerous papers from Drug Science’s T21 (formerly Project Twenty21) patient registry, which launched in 2019 to make medical cannabis more accessible and collect crucial real-world data on its safety and efficacy. Through her work with the Drug Science team, Anne’s findings have highlighted the positive effects and promising potential of cannabis-based medicines for a wide range of chronic conditions. In this episode she discusses the importance of real-world evidence in addition to randomised control trials, especially for botanical medicines such as cannabis, and calls on regulators to place more value on this. --- A quick mention about the sponsors of this seasons podcast. At Botanical Health Dispensary, we care about you and your prescription. Botanical Health is an independent medical cannabis pharmacy who are dedicated to helping patients by facilitating a medical cannabis dispensing experience that different to anything else available. To us you're a person first – never just a number or yet another prescription. We know what its like to be waiting for your prescription or be unsure about the process and were here to help. Every patient really matters to us and we take full responsibility for ensuring your happy, well informed and feel you can rely on us. If you would like support to use our service please contact us on email www.botanicalhealthdispensery.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
20 Jan 2025
Dr Niraj Singh: What's Your Why?
Dr Niraj Singh is a highly regarded consultant psychiatrist, with extensive experience in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders as well as neurodevelopmental conditions including ADHD and Autism. Using a holistic approach, he has a strong interest in alternative treatments and was one of the first doctors to prescribe medical cannabis in the UK back in 2019. After admitting he almost didn’t go through with his first prescription, he says he has seen cannabis-based medicine make real positive change in his patients' lives. In his conversation with Hannah and Mike, Dr Singh shares what brought him to a career in medicine (despite being told his GCSE grades weren’t good enough) and how he became frustrated with the lack of effective treatments and over reliance on pills in psychiatry. Dr Singh now devotes a significant amount of his time to raising awareness and educating his colleagues at the Royal College of Psychiatry and other medical bodies. As a member of the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society, he is also passionate about ensuring clinicians are supported to feel confident and safe when prescribing cannabis-based medicines. --- A quick mention about the sponsors of this seasons podcast. At Botanical Health Dispensary, we care about you and your prescription. Botanical Health is an independent medical cannabis pharmacy who are dedicated to helping patients by facilitating a medical cannabis dispensing experience that different to anything else available. To us you're a person first – never just a number or yet another prescription. We know what its like to be waiting for your prescription or be unsure about the process and were here to help. Every patient really matters to us and we take full responsibility for ensuring your happy, well informed and feel you can rely on us. If you would like support to use our service please contact us on email www.botanicalhealthdispensery.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
27 Nov 2024
Sophie Gamwell: What's Your Why?
Cannabis entrepreneur Sophie Gamwell explores her 'Why' with experts Hannah Deacon & Prof Mike Barnes, discovering the power of purpose in the cannabis industry.
24 Oct 2024
Ricardo Geada: What's Your Why?
We’re delighted to kick off a brand new season of the What’s Your Why podcast, with a brand new sponsor, Botanical Pharmacy, and a line-up of amazing guests ready to share why medical cannabis matters to them. Our first guest is Ricardo Geada, director of Lawrence Stephens Solicitors in the UK, heading up its Regulatory Solutions department. Ricardo is an English Lawyer, with 17-years legal experience and now a renowned legal expert in cannabis regulation. He has assisted Medicinal Cannabis and CBD Wellness companies through regulation mazes across the UK, EU, US and Asia, on aspects of unlicensed medicines; vaping products (e-cigarettes and e-liquids); cosmetics; and food supplements. His expertise in this space means is regularly invited to speak at events to discuss the ever growing global cannabis market, and he currently sits on the executive committee of the UK’s Cannabis Industry Council. In this episode, Ricardo chats to Hannah and Mike about how he came to specialise in cannabis law (despite his lack of personal experience!), improving patient access and the importance of trying to change the narrative through education. --- A quick mention about the sponsors of this seasons podcast. At Botanical Health Dispensary, we care about you and your prescription. Botanical Health is an independent medical cannabis pharmacy who are dedicated to helping patients by facilitating a medical cannabis dispensing experience that different to anything else available. To us you're a person first – never just a number or yet another prescription. We know what its like to be waiting for your prescription or be unsure about the process and were here to help. Every patient really matters to us and we take full responsibility for ensuring your happy, well informed and feel you can rely on us. If you would like support to use our service please contact us on email www.botanicalhealthdispensery.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
16 Sept 2024
Jonathan and Richard Hodgson: What's Your Why?
The final episode of this season of What’s Your Why is a special one, as Hannah and Mike sat down with our sponsors, Curaleaf Laboratories. Brothers Jonathan and Richard Hodgson co-founded Rokshaw Laboratories in 2012 and have been at the forefront of the emerging medical cannabis Industry since it was first legalised as a medicine in 2018. In 2019, Rokshaw joined the Curaleaf International group—the world’s largest cannabis company— where Jonathan is now International Managing Director for the UK and Nordics and Richard is UK Operations Director. As a result of this, in August 2020, Rokshaw became the first company to manufacture medical cannabis in the UK and another of its UK operations, Sapphire Medical Cannabis Clinic (now Curaleaf Clinic) was the first CQC Registered Medical Cannabis Clinic. Having been in the healthcare sector since 1999 across a number of leading companies Jonathan and Richard have a clear number one position in this rapidly growing sector and have aligned with the Curaleaf mission, to provide wider access and unlock the potential of medical cannabis to those who need it. In this episode they share some behind the scenes insights into the early days of starting the company, the challenges they faced (and continue to face) in the sector, and the realities of running a family business. A quick thank you to our sponsors: This episode What’s Your Why podcast is sponsored by Curaleaf Laboratories. Curaleaf Laboratories are the UK-leading experts in the manufacture and distribution of EU-GMP medical cannabis as part of Curaleaf International, the biggest cannabis company in the world. In 2019, Rokshaw joined the Curaleaf International group and because of this, in August 2020, became the first manufacturer of full spectrum medical cannabis in the UK. We aligned with the Curaleaf mission, to provide wider access and unlock the potential of medical cannabis to those who need it. With over a decade of experience in unlicensed medicines (Specials), Curaleaf have invested heavily in our state-of-the-art UK manufacturing facility, making us perfectly positioned with our international vertically integrated supply chain to deliver cannabis-based medicinal products (CBPM’s) of the highest quality for specialists to prescribe to their patients. Curaleaf’s wealth of medical cannabis experience, combined with a network of supply and distribution partnerships throughout Europe and the UK, mean that it is uniquely positioned to meet the rapidly growing demand for cost-effective, consistent, premium quality medical cannabis products in the UK. Find out more at curaleaflaboratories.co.uk (http://curaleaflaboratories.co.uk/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
15 Aug 2024
James Smith: What's Your Why?
In a new episode of What’s Your Why, James Smith, co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of 4C Labs, a Canadian Cannabis company operating in Guernsey and the UK, sits down with Hannah and Mike to share what brought him to the sector. After studying Political Science at Bishops University, James had a number of careers before cannabis, including as a chef, filmmaker and in real estate sales and development. He made the decision to leave his stable career in real estate after seeing the benefits that medical cannabis was having for his nephew —and the wider family— after he was diagnosed with a neurological disorder. 4C Labs was founded over six years ago with the intent of creating a high quality and well priced medical cannabis supply chain for the UK and other international markets. Focused on patients and their satisfaction, James and the team employ a very rigorous and empirical method to sourcing and pricing products that they believe will exceed patient expectations. James is also the Chair of the Cannabis Industry Council Prescription Cannabis Sub committee and spends much of his time promoting cannabis as medicine and advocating for greater awareness and increased points of access in the UK. Despite the challenges he has faced working in the sector, James maintains a positive perspective on the future growth of the industry and the general awareness of cannabis as a medicine that can improve people's quality of life. A quick thank you to our sponsors: This episode What’s Your Why podcast is sponsored by Curaleaf Laboratories. Curaleaf Laboratories are the UK-leading experts in the manufacture and distribution of EU-GMP medical cannabis as part of Curaleaf International, the biggest cannabis company in the world. In 2019, Rokshaw joined the Curaleaf International group and because of this, in August 2020, became the first manufacturer of full spectrum medical cannabis in the UK. We aligned with the Curaleaf mission, to provide wider access and unlock the potential of medical cannabis to those who need it. With over a decade of experience in unlicensed medicines (Specials), Curaleaf have invested heavily in our state-of-the-art UK manufacturing facility, making us perfectly positioned with our international vertically integrated supply chain to deliver cannabis-based medicinal products (CBPM’s) of the highest quality for specialists to prescribe to their patients. Curaleaf’s wealth of medical cannabis experience, combined with a network of supply and distribution partnerships throughout Europe and the UK, mean that it is uniquely positioned to meet the rapidly growing demand for cost-effective, consistent, premium quality medical cannabis products in the UK. Find out more at curaleaflaboratories.co.uk (http://curaleaflaboratories.co.uk/) 4C Labs was founded over six years ago with the intent of creating a high quality and well priced medical cannabis supply chain for the UK and other international markets. Focused on patients and their satisfaction, James and the team employ a very rigorous and empirical method to sourcing and pricing products that they believe will exceed patient expectations. James is also the Chair of the Cannabis Industry Council Prescription Cannabis Sub committee and spends much of his time promoting cannabis as medicine and advocating for greater awareness and increased points of access in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
10 Jul 2024
Kieran 'God In The Grass': What's Your Why?
Cannabis conversations with Hannah Deacon & Prof Mike Barnes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
10 Jun 2024
Dr Callie Seaman: What's Your Why?
Dr Callie Seaman, a leading UK plant scientist and co-chair of the Cannabis Industry Council, joins Hannah Deacon and Professor Mike Barnes for the latest episode of the What’s Your Why podcast. Callie is a formulation chemist with over 20 years experience in the hydroponic industry. Whilst completing her degree in biomedical sciences she worked for GlaxoSmithKline within the drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics department, before going on to complete a PhD in fertiliser chemistry and setting up a liquid fertiliser manufacturing company. Now an established professional in the field of medicinal cannabis, working with cultivation facilities across the globe, Callie recently set up Sunnyside Consultancy, helping new businesses navigate the cannabis space. As she shares in this episode, Callie sees this as much more than a job or a career, but her life’s ‘mission’, the seeds of which were first planted when she was diagnosed with epilepsy over 20 years ago. A quick thank you to our sponsors: This episode What’s Your Why podcast is sponsored by Curaleaf Laboratories. Curaleaf Laboratories are the UK-leading experts in the manufacture and distribution of EU-GMP medical cannabis as part of Curaleaf International, the biggest cannabis company in the world. In 2019, Rokshaw joined the Curaleaf International group and because of this, in August 2020, became the first manufacturer of full spectrum medical cannabis in the UK. We aligned with the Curaleaf mission, to provide wider access and unlock the potential of medical cannabis to those who need it. With over a decade of experience in unlicensed medicines (Specials), Curaleaf have invested heavily in our state-of-the-art UK manufacturing facility, making us perfectly positioned with our international vertically integrated supply chain to deliver cannabis-based medicinal products (CBPM’s) of the highest quality for specialists to prescribe to their patients. Curaleaf’s wealth of medical cannabis experience, combined with a network of supply and distribution partnerships throughout Europe and the UK, mean that it is uniquely positioned to meet the rapidly growing demand for cost-effective, consistent, premium quality medical cannabis products in the UK. Find out more at curaleaflaboratories.co.uk (http://curaleaflaboratories.co.uk/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
20 May 2024
Pierre van Weperen: What's Your Why?
This month, Hannah and Mike speak to Pierre van Weperen, CEO of Grow Pharma, a joint venture between GROW Group and IPS Pharma in the UK. Pierre joined GROW Group in 2019, with more than 30 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry, which took him from his home in the Netherlands, to Germany, France and eventually the UK, where he has called home since 2007. Starting out as a medical rep in the 1990s, Pierre has held senior sales, marketing and leadership roles in a number of top 10 global pharmaceutical companies. Before joining GROW, he managed commercial services for Ashfield Healthcare (the UK’s largest pharmaceutical outsourcing provider) which where he started working with medical cannabis in early 2019. In this candid interview, Pierre speaks openly about how his personal struggles have given a sense of optimism and a drive to improve things in everything he does, whether that’s for his own loved ones or patients more generally. That is also why he is chairman of the board of the Dutch MS patient association. He speaks about how this inspires GROW’s focus on the patients who can benefit from medical cannabis and the work by his team to drive awareness, lobby for regulatory changes, and source the best products and innovations for patients and prescribers. A quick thank you to our sponsors: This episode What’s Your Why podcast is sponsored by Curaleaf Laboratories. Curaleaf Laboratories are the UK-leading experts in the manufacture and distribution of EU-GMP medical cannabis as part of Curaleaf International, the biggest cannabis company in the world. In 2019, Rokshaw joined the Curaleaf International group and because of this, in August 2020, became the first manufacturer of full spectrum medical cannabis in the UK. We aligned with the Curaleaf mission, to provide wider access and unlock the potential of medical cannabis to those who need it. With over a decade of experience in unlicensed medicines (Specials), Curaleaf have invested heavily in our state-of-the-art UK manufacturing facility, making us perfectly positioned with our international vertically integrated supply chain to deliver cannabis-based medicinal products (CBPM’s) of the highest quality for specialists to prescribe to their patients. Curaleaf’s wealth of medical cannabis experience, combined with a network of supply and distribution partnerships throughout Europe and the UK, mean that it is uniquely positioned to meet the rapidly growing demand for cost-effective, consistent, premium quality medical cannabis products in the UK. Find out more at curaleaflaboratories.co.uk (http://curaleaflaboratories.co.uk/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
11 Apr 2024
Tom Cross: What's Your Why?
Tom Cross is one of the leading barristers at the UK Junior Bar. Specialising in a wide range of matters mostly in the field of public and human rights law, he can usually be found challenging or defending the government or a public body in cases which have the potential to really make an impact with the general public. In this episode, Tom, who recently became a trustee of Medcan Family Foundation, sits down with Hannah and Mike to share some fascinating insights into how public law works. They discuss potential legal options for families who are still being denied access to cannabis medicines on the NHS, similarities with the Post Office Horizon scandal which has gripped the nation of late, and how to better engage politicians as a General Election looms on the horizon. If you enjoyed this episode we highly recommend you subscribe so you will be the first to know when the next one lands—and we’d love it if you could leave us a rating or review! This episode of the What’s Your Why podcast is sponsored by Curaleaf Laboratories. Curaleaf Laboratories are the UK-leading experts in the manufacture and distribution of EU-GMP medical cannabis as part of Curaleaf International, the biggest cannabis company in the world. In 2019, Rokshaw joined the Curaleaf International group and because of this, in August 2020, became the first manufacturer of full spectrum medical cannabis in the UK. We aligned with the Curaleaf mission, to provide wider access and unlock the potential of medical cannabis to those who need it. With over a decade of experience in unlicensed medicines (Specials), Curaleaf have invested heavily in our state-of-the-art UK manufacturing facility, making us perfectly positioned with our international vertically integrated supply chain to deliver cannabis-based medicinal products (CBPM’s) of the highest quality for specialists to prescribe to their patients. Curaleaf’s wealth of medical cannabis experience, combined with a network of supply and distribution partnerships throughout Europe and the UK, mean that it is uniquely positioned to meet the rapidly growing demand for cost-effective, consistent, premium quality medical cannabis products in the UK. Find out more at curaleaflaboratories.co.uk (http://curaleaflaboratories.co.uk/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
1 Feb 2024
Melissa Sturgess: What's Your Why?
In our first episode of 2024, Hannah Deacon and Professor Mike Barnes spoke to Melissa about her life before cannabis, from growing up in Australia to a high-flying career in the mining industry (much of which was spent being the only woman in the room). Melissa founded Ananda Developments after reading an article about cannabis on the off-chance. At its UK manufacturing facility, the company is focused on developing cannabinoid medicines for the treatment of complex, chronic inflammatory pain conditions. It recently reached a huge milestone and secured regulatory approval and NHS funding to conduct clinical trials in chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIPN) and endometriosis. Melissa shares the many ways she “reinvented” herself throughout her career, from selling sports memorabilia to negotiating “exhilarating” underground mining deals in South Africa and being asked to make the tea in a boardroom full of men. Now she is fully committed to helping establish a robust medical cannabis industry in the UK and enabling patients to have consistent access to high-quality medicines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
11 Dec 2023
Katya Kowalski: What’s Your Why?
After studying a Masters in Health Psychology at the University of Bath, where she developed an interest in drug policy, Katya Kowalski went straight into the cannabis space, securing an internship with Volteface, an advocacy and communications organisation, that seeks to reduce the harm drugs pose to individuals and society, through evidence-based policy reform. Now Volteface's head of operations, she chats to Hannah and Mike about her journey so far and shares her thoughts on the future of medical and recreational access in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
22 Nov 2023
Emma Matthews: What's Your Why?
Emma Matthew's son Louis was 13-years-old when he had his first seizure. He was later diagnosed with a rare genetic condition which causes severe, treatment-resistant epilepsy. As Emma explains in more detail in this episode, Louis was prescribed dozens of different antiepileptic drugs, all of which failed to control his seizures, some of them even exacerbating them. In 2017 Emma and her family moved to Holland so that Louis could access legal medicinal cannabis treatment. Now 19, Louis has been seizure free for over two years and is excelling in a Fine Art degree. But since the family moved back to London in 2022, Louis has been refused a prescription for medical cannabis through the NHS, leaving the future of his access to what has been a life-changing treatment, uncertain. Emma shares their heartbreaking story with the podcast to highlight the challenges they - and so many other patients - have faced in accessing Medical Cannabis in the UK, despite it being legal to prescribe since 2018. Join medical cannabis industry experts and co-founders of Maple Tree Consultants, Hannah Deacon and Professor Mike Barnes, as they sit down with leading voices from the sector to explore how they found themselves in the world of medicinal cannabis and why it matters to them. What’s Your Why looks beyond commercial forecasts to make space for open and honest conversations with the people at the heart of this emerging and ever-evolving industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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