In this week’s episode of High on Home Grown, we dive into five very different cannabis stories from around the world, covering medical research, regulation, the future of the industry and some long-held beliefs about cannabis.

Macky looks at one of the biggest questions surrounding cannabis and medicine: can cannabis or CBD oil actually cure cancer? We look at what the scientific evidence says, what cannabis may be useful for, and why claims that cannabis can cure cancer need to be treated very carefully.

Smee looks at the ongoing debate around cannabis rescheduling in the United States and whether changes to federal cannabis policy could leave smaller and social-equity operators struggling to compete with larger companies. Could the legal cannabis industry become increasingly dominated by big businesses?

Billy takes us over to Europe, where the whole hemp plant could soon receive recognition as an agricultural crop under EU rules. However, individual member states would still retain powers that could allow them to criminalise aspects of hemp production. We look at what this could mean for European hemp growers and the wider industry.

John has a story from the US involving the DEA and cannabis businesses operating in states with both medical and recreational licensing. The DEA has reportedly refused to approve some marijuana businesses in states where the two licensing systems operate alongside each other, creating another complication between state-level cannabis laws and federal regulation.

Margaret looks at a fascinating 35-year study examining cannabis and sleep. Cannabis has long been associated with helping people sleep, but the research challenges the idea that marijuana is necessarily beneficial for long-term sleep quality. We dig into what the study actually found and whether the popular belief about cannabis and sleep holds up.

As always, we get beyond the headlines and look at what the research, regulations and industry developments could actually mean for cannabis users, patients, growers and businesses.

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It's Halloween on High on Home Grown! This week we're putting the cannabis news and growing talk to one side for a special Halloween episode, where each of us brings along a scary story to share.

Expect ghost stories, strange encounters, creepy experiences and a few tales that might make you think twice about what goes bump in the night.

We also get stuck into one of our favourite subjects: horror movies. We chat about some of the films that have genuinely scared us, the horror classics we love, the movies that probably shouldn't have been made... and one particularly terrible film that somehow made its way onto our watch list: The Burning.

Was it a hidden horror gem? Absolutely not.

Was it a terrible 1980s slasher that gave us plenty to talk about? Definitely!

So grab yourself a drink, turn the lights down, and join us for a special Halloween night with the High on Home Grown crew.

Scary stories, horror movies, terrible films and plenty of Halloween nonsense. What could possibly go wrong? 🎃

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Grow Guides Episode 3 is all about cannabis seeds!

If you're new to growing, choosing your seeds can be surprisingly confusing. Regular, feminized, autoflowering, photoperiod, CBD and all the different names and descriptions used by seed banks can leave you wondering what you're actually supposed to buy.

In this episode, we break down the different types of cannabis seeds and explain what each type is, how they grow, and why you might choose one over another.

We cover:

Regular seeds and what makes them different
Feminized seeds and why they are so popular
Autoflowering seeds and how they differ from photoperiod plants
Photoperiod cannabis and how the light cycle controls flowering
Indica, Sativa and hybrid genetics
CBD and other types of cannabis seeds
The advantages and disadvantages of each type
What to look for when choosing seeds
Buying from seed banks and understanding what you're actually getting

Rather than telling you that one type of seed is the "best", we explain the differences so you can work out which type is best suited to your own grow, your space and what you want to achieve.

This is Episode 3 of our 50-episode Grow Guides journey, taking you step-by-step from planning your first grow all the way through to harvest.

If you're about to buy your first cannabis seeds, watch this one before you spend your money!

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In this week’s episode of High on Home Grown, we dive into the latest cannabis stories from around the world, including new research challenging claims about cannabis and violence, a controversial UK sentencing, and some interesting developments in the European medical cannabis industry.

Macky looks at new research examining the claim that cannabis makes people more violent. The study challenges some of the recent headlines suggesting a direct link between cannabis use and violent behaviour, and we take a closer look at what the evidence actually tells us.

Smee brings us a story from Cumbria, where a cannabis grower was sentenced after police discovered a commercial-scale operation worth around £500,000. The case also attracted attention after the judge apologised to the defendant for the timing of his sentence, which was handed down on his birthday.

Billy has two short stories from the European cannabis industry. We look at the rapidly increasing movement of medical cannabis from Portugal into Spain, before turning to Cronos and its acquisition of a cannabis producer in the Netherlands connected to the country's ongoing cannabis trial. Two stories, but both highlighting how quickly the European medical cannabis market continues to develop.

John is taking the week off, so unfortunately we're John-free this time around!

Margaret looks at new research into prenatal cannabis exposure and its potential effects on children's brain development and behaviour. The study reports subtle differences in brain structure and behavioural measures among children exposed to cannabis during pregnancy, giving us plenty to discuss around what the research does and doesn't actually prove.

As always, we take a look beyond the headlines and get stuck into what these stories really mean for cannabis users, growers, patients and the wider industry.

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Grow Guides are back with Episode 2, and this week we’re talking about one of the most important parts of planning your first grow: what equipment do you actually need?

There are thousands of different products, gadgets and pieces of grow equipment available, but how much of it do you really need? And more importantly, what equipment is right for the size of grow you are planning?

We break it down by grow tent size, looking at 2ft x 2ft, 2ft x 4ft, 4ft x 4ft and 4ft x 8ft grow tents, and discuss what you need to build a suitable setup for each one.

We cover the important stuff including:

Grow tents and choosing the right size
What sort of grow light you need for each tent
Extraction and ventilation
Circulation fans and air movement
Temperature and humidity monitoring
Timers and controlling your equipment
pH meters and why they matter
EC Meters and when you might need one
The smaller pieces of equipment that are easy to overlook

The aim of this episode is to take some of the confusion out of buying grow equipment. Rather than simply telling you to buy the biggest, most expensive setup available, we look at what makes sense for different grow spaces and different growers.

Whether you're planning a tiny 2ft x 2ft tent or you're dreaming of filling an 8ft grow tent, this episode should help you understand what you actually need before you start spending your money.

This is Episode 2 of our new 50-episode Grow Guides series, where we're taking you step-by-step from planning your first grow all the way through to harvest and beyond.

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This week on High on Home Grown, we’re joined by Aaron “Professor Potgrower” Zeeman, a Hawaii-based cannabis breeder, author and cannabis culture advocate. Aaron has spent more than 30 years in Hawaii and founded Big Island Genetics, where he works to preserve and breed Hawaiian heirloom cannabis genetics.

Aaron joins us to talk about his book, The Hemp Ritual Handbook, a fascinating look at the culture, history and traditions that have surrounded cannabis for generations. It’s much more than a book about growing cannabis, exploring the rituals, experiences and culture that grew up around the plant long before legalisation and the modern cannabis industry.

We also get deep into Hawaiian cannabis genetics, the legendary strains associated with the islands and the importance of preserving the genetics that have been passed down through generations. Aaron explains what he is doing through his breeding work in Hawaii and why keeping these old lines alive matters.

From Hawaiian heirloom genetics and breeding to cannabis culture, his book and the history behind some of Hawaii’s most famous cannabis, this is a fascinating conversation with someone who has spent decades living and working with the plant.

If you’re interested in cannabis history, genetics, breeding or simply the stories behind the plants we grow today, you won’t want to miss this one.

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n this week’s episode of High on Home Grown, we dive into some of the biggest cannabis stories making headlines around the world:

Macky looks at new research into cannabis use among older adults in the US. The study found that cannabis use is becoming increasingly common among people aged 65 and over, with 11.4% of older cannabis users meeting the criteria for cannabis use disorder.

Smee brings us a story from Bedfordshire, where three men have been jailed after turning a former pub into a large-scale cannabis growing operation. Police discovered 13 cultivation rooms containing more than 1,200 mature cannabis plants, with the crop estimated to be worth up to £1.1 million. The three men received a combined sentence of more than 18 years.

Billy is unfortunately not well this week, so we're flying one man down!

John takes us over to the US, where the $28 billion hemp-derived THC industry is fighting to avoid a looming federal ban. With new federal restrictions threatening to seriously impact the industry, businesses are pushing for regulation rather than an outright ban.

Margaret looks at a major review from researchers at King's College London examining the relationship between cannabis use and violence. The review analysed 63 studies involving more than 265,000 people and found an association between cannabis use and an increased likelihood of both committing and experiencing violence. The researchers also stress that an association does not by itself prove that cannabis is the cause.

Another week, another pile of cannabis stories for us to get stuck into. As always, we take a look at what the research actually says, what is happening in the cannabis industry, and what these stories could mean for growers and consumers.

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Grow Guides are back! After a break from the series, we're returning with Grow Guides Season 3, and this time we're going right back to basics.

Over the next 50 episodes, we're going to take you through the process of growing cannabis step by step, covering everything from planning your first grow and choosing your equipment right through to harvesting, drying, curing and beyond.

And where better to start than with the question every new grower should ask before buying a single seed or piece of equipment: what exactly do you want from your grow?

In Episode 1: Planning Your First Cannabis Grow, we look at all the things you need to think about before getting started.

How much cannabis do you actually need to grow? How do you work backwards from your desired amount to work out how many plants you might need? How much space do you have available, and how does that affect the size and number of plants you can grow?

We also get into the budget. What sort of money do you realistically need to get started, where should you spend your money, and where can you save? There's no point designing the grow of your dreams if the equipment costs more than the car!

Then there's time. Growing cannabis isn't just about putting a seed in some soil and waiting for the harvest. How much time do you actually have available to look after your plants, and how should that influence the type of grow you plan?

And before we get too carried away, we talk about legality and privacy. Understanding the laws where you live should be one of the first things you consider before starting any grow, along with thinking about who knows about it and how you're going to keep your setup secure and private.

We'll also discuss expectations, planning around your available space and resources, and why taking a little time to plan your first grow can save you a lot of money, stress and disappointment later on.

This is the beginning of a brand-new 50-episode Grow Guides journey, designed to take a new grower from having absolutely no idea where to start through the entire process, one step at a time.

So before you buy the seeds, switch on the lights or start filling pots, let's make a plan.

🌱 Grow Guides Season 2 starts here!

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This week on High on Home Grown, we take a look at another collection of cannabis stories from around the UK and beyond, covering everything from neighbours complaining about cannabis smoke to a major cannabis importation case, the continued expansion of the UK medical cannabis market and potential changes to insurance for cannabis businesses.

Macky looks at a story from Wales Online about a neighbour smoking cannabis and what someone can actually do if cannabis smoke is affecting their home. We look at the legal position surrounding nuisance, what options residents may have and where the line sits between someone's cannabis use and it becoming a problem for their neighbours. My neighbour is smoking cannabis - lawyer explains what to do about it | Wales Online

Smee covers a major UK drugs case involving gang members jailed over a plot to import cannabis worth an estimated £13.8 million into the UK. We discuss the scale of the alleged operation, the court case and the sentences handed down. Gang members jailed over plot to import cannabis worth £13.8m into UK | LBC

Billy looks at the continued development of the UK's medical cannabis industry, with Canopy Growth entering the UK medical cannabis market through a new distribution deal. We discuss what the move could mean for the growing medical cannabis sector and the companies looking to establish themselves in the UK. Canopy enters UK medical cannabis market with distribution deal | MJBizDaily

John brings us a story from the United States looking at proposed legislation that could make it easier for cannabis businesses to obtain insurance coverage. We discuss why insurance remains such a complicated issue for the cannabis industry and what changes to the rules could mean for businesses operating legally within the sector. New Rules: This bill could help cannabis companies finally get insurance coverage | Tucson Weekly

And Dr. Margaret looks at a new study examining the potential health effects of cannabis edibles compared with smoking cannabis. The study has generated headlines around whether edibles should automatically be considered a safer alternative, so we take a closer look at what the research actually found and what it does, and doesn't, tell us. New Study Finds Weed Edibles Aren't Safer Than Smoking | Men's Journal

As always, we break down the stories, discuss the wider implications and give our thoughts on what's happening across the cannabis world.

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It’s a big one on High on Home Grown this week as we reach the final Listener Mail episode of the series! From next week, we’re heading back into the full Grow Guides, but not before answering one last batch of questions from the community.

Billy Bong is trying to keep his grow going through the winter in an unmodified shed, and asks how to deal with low temperatures, humidity and condensation without having to heat the entire building. We discuss winter growing, keeping the environment stable and the challenges of running tents in an outdoor structure.

He also has a suggestion for the strain name that came out of last week's show: Terpish Delight. We may have accidentally created a monster.

Lobby Lobster returns with another question about the growing world becoming increasingly automated. With AI-powered grow equipment, automatic watering, environmental controllers and smart systems becoming more common, are we making growing easier and reducing burnout, or are we slowly removing some of the hands-on enjoyment that makes the hobby so rewarding? We discuss where automation helps and where we might still want to get our hands dirty.

FreeNugz has the classic outdoor-grower's dilemma: when you're getting close to harvest and the trichomes are still developing, is the extra potency worth risking bud rot? We talk about the difficult decisions growers sometimes have to make when the weather turns against them and whether waiting for the "perfect" harvest is always the right move.

SKD asks a question that pretty much every grower eventually asks themselves: when do you finally feel like you've got this figured out? After experimenting with soil, coco, different plant sizes, SCROGs, training, nutrients and drying methods, how many grows does it take before you find your preferred style and settle into a repeatable routine?

We also get into the daunting world of choosing cannabis strains. With thousands of varieties, ridiculous names, endless seed banks and increasingly questionable AI-generated pictures, where does a newer grower even begin?

And finally, Phil Me Bowls gives us another one of those questions that could only have been invented while high, before we finish the Listener Mail series with some truly terrible dad jokes.

After all the questions, laughs, arguments and bizarre scenarios we've covered throughout this Listener Mail run, it's time to close the book on the series for now.

Next week, Grow Guides are back! 🌱

Thanks to everyone who has sent questions in, listened, watched, commented and been part of the community. The Listener Mail episodes have been a brilliant way of hearing directly from the people who make High on Home Grown what it is.

Now let's get back to growing.

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This week on High on Home Grown, we welcome back a very good friend of the show, Jordan River, host of GrowCast!

Jordan has been on the show before, so this isn't your typical interview where we sit down and run through a list of cannabis questions. Instead, we catch up with an old friend and end up talking about just about everything!

We do, of course, discuss the upcoming US seed ban and what Jordan thinks it could mean for the American cannabis community, breeders and the wider industry. But from there the conversation heads in all sorts of directions.

We get into Texas Hold'em poker, chess, coffee, the trauma inflicted on us by 80s movies, and plenty of other random topics that somehow seemed perfectly sensible at the time.

Jordan also tells us about his new coffee brand, including his THC-infused coffee, and we talk about the idea of combining two of life's greatest pleasures: caffeine and cannabis!

This is less of a formal interview and more of a proper catch-up between friends. There’s cannabis, but there’s also poker, chess, coffee, movies, business, nostalgia, the changing US legal landscape and plenty of completely unexpected tangents.

If you've listened to Jordan's previous appearances on High on Home Grown, you'll know exactly what you're in for. If you haven't, this is a great introduction to one of our favourite conversations to have when the microphones are switched on.

A relaxed, funny and wide-ranging conversation with a good friend of the show. Grab a coffee, settle in and enjoy the ride!

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