Riley Kirk, a researcher and teacher in the cannabis field is dedicated to changing our perception of plant medicine. The release of her first book has a new author, Riley Kirk. Learn about the science, culture, and medicine of cannabis with Reefer WellnessHer book is an extension of what made her so popular on social media. It explains complex cannabis chemistry in a way that anyone can understand, combining science with cultural respect.
The interview is a chance for Dr. Kirk to share her story, from TikTok advocate and science to published writer. In the conversation, she explains how cannabis culture and its medicinal properties cannot be separated.
Cannabis Chemistry: Making it Accessible
Kirk says that when she started to share cannabis chemistry via TikTok, she was not trying to be a science communicator. She simply wanted fill a gap in her knowledge. “I started sharing online information because I saw no other people doing it,” says Kirk. So I knew that there was a real need.
Kirk helped teach an expensive university course on cannabis chemistry, pharmacology, and other related topics. “I feel that this information is important and should be accessible to everyone who uses cannabis,” says Kirk. This will help us understand how the plant affects our body, and we can tailor medicine more specifically to each individual’s body.
When Dr. Kirk was bored and curious, she opened TikTok to record a video. From the first video she posted, “it started to takeoff, says Kirk. The viewers quickly became engaged and began to ask questions or request topics. This led her create a regular stream of content. “I have never ran out of topics to discuss on social media and I do not think that I will ever run out.” It’s the best thing about cannabis: there is always something new to discuss.
The book she wrote is the result of her curiosity about accessible education and passion. Learn about the science, culture, and medicine of cannabis with Reefer Wellness. Kirk said the idea came about when an agent, who was also a fan of his work for many years, approached him with a publication proposal.
“She said, ‘Hey, I’ve been following you for a long time. The people I know would be thrilled to have this information published in a book. Kirk initially refused her. “I said, ‘No, thanks. “I’m not prepared for that.” But a few years later, the agent reached out again—and this time, she said yes.
The result is a book that is both personal and science-based, with an emphasis on preserving the cannabis culture. Kirk said that the title was a working title. Reefer WellnessThe idea came to her in a creative state. “I created a moodboard with the various words I had in mind for the title,” says she. [laughs].
The original concept, says Ms. Sherry, was to reverse the fear-based message of Reefer Madness On its side. She says, “The title came about when we used science to change the stigma.” “Reefer Madness runs deep. “People are still regurgitating old information that was published 30 years ago, because they do not know there have been 30,000 publications on the science of cannabis.”
Write for her younger self and a wiser community
Kirk said she wrote her book with the community in mind and based the content on feedback from her audiences. “When creating the outline, I made sure to hit on everything I’ve talked about on TikTok, especially the heavy-hitting subjects where consumers said, ‘I needed this information. It really locked in my cannabis usage,” Dr. Kirk says.
The writing process also allowed her to cover topics that she had not previously covered in social media. “Like dry herb vaping or cannabis and fertility, I discovered there were topics I had not discussed yet but that fit in with what I already spoke about.”
In the end, Kirk wrote it for herself. She says, “I would have loved to have had this book when I started out using marijuana.” It’s just not feasible for someone to experiment with 50 strains of cannabis and five different consumption methods in order to find out which one works. To reduce barriers, it is important to combine everyday knowledge of consumers with scientific research.
Cannabis culture is medicine.
One of Dr. Kirk’s greatest strengths is her ability to make cannabis chemistry accessible for the general public. Her approach? Being herself. I started out as a smoker and then became a researcher, so that made me a part of the community. I talk, act and look like a stoner.” This authenticity creates trust. “It’s not like I’m a scientist asking people, ‘Tell me how you’re consuming.’ We’re all working together to achieve this.”
Cannabis research was not trusted by the public for a very long time. “Most of our studies are government-funded, and the government has not been on our side with cannabis—and still isn’t,” Dr. Kirk says. Independent researchers, she believes, must take the lead. “We need people who are ancillary, who are outside of the governYou can find out more about this by clicking here.nt, who the community can trust, to share these stories, to do research and say, ‘I’ll protect your data, your name, your legacy, but help me “Help the community. She says that people want to be part of something larger than themselves and “believe in the plant” because it enhances their lives.
The following are some of the ways to get in touch with us Reefer WellnessKirk looks at cannabis, not only as a medicinal and cultural plant. She says that you cannot remove the culture from cannabis. You have a different appreciation for the plant when you read about its past. This culture revolves around the methods of consumption. For example, how to properly roll a joint, or what strains are your favorites. She thinks cannabis was meant to be “shared” and shared communally. This has all been lost with its commercialization.
This commercialization also explains why Dr. Kirk stresses education as an effective strategy to reduce harm. As consumers educate themselves, she says they will realize that each strain is different and has its own medicinal benefits. When we increase the dosages of THC, we begin to experience adverse effects. Her aim is to steer people towards whole-plant products. Cannabis is not a medicine. To understand the nuances of cannabis, you need to have a basic chemistry or pharmacology class. [laughs].”
Dr. Kirk says that people who are more informed about wellness will be more conscious of quality, and their awareness may spread to food and supplementation. “Once you dive in, you get obsessed because it makes you feel better or more social… like you’re blooming.”
The Science of Buds and Breeders
Reefer Wellness The book also covers cannabis science, including the entourage and minor cannabinoids. It is aimed at advanced breeders as well as consumers. The purpose of this is to educate the reader about the complexity and subtleties that come with different varieties, based on their terpene profiles and cannabinoid or flavanoid content. “I want them to understand that cannabis is complex. “Weed is not the same as weed” is what I say every time. “It’s all different.” To understand cannabis as a medicine that is tailored to you, it’s important to listen and educate yourself. “I love budtenders. The budtenders are among the friendliest people on the planet. It’s not the job of these people to explain how cannabis affects your body.
Kirk believes that the industry needs to shift its focus away from THC. We need to go back to the whole plant, not just for the reduction of adverse effects, but also so that the plant is always a part of the conversation,” says Kirk. She advocates for home-grown cannabis. She says that it should be considered a right. There’s no danger in growing this plant. It’s not my fault that this myth exists.
What can Dr. Kirk do to help you tune in to your own personal cannabis journeys? “Cannabis makes you more aware of your body,” says Kirk. She urges users to keep journals, recording whether they slept better after consuming a certain strain and noting other details such as the compound content or grower. This helps you to focus on your intentions. You can better understand yourself. Cannabis is a great teacher, but it’s important to listen to the message.
Tabletop Companion For Cannabis Curiosity
Its core is a fundamentally different approach. Reefer Wellness The book is meant to be easy-to-read. “There are these little ‘nugs of knowledge’—little consumer insights—throughout the book,” Dr. Kirk says. The book is meant to be an open-ended tabletop guide that anyone can read at any given time, no matter if they are already a knowledgeable consumer or not.
She hopes that the community will feel seen. “I really hope that the community enjoys it as much writing as I did.”
Learn about the science, culture, and medicine of cannabis with Reefer Wellness Now you can order online.