5 Questions with Dr. Riley Kirk: The Cannabis Scientist Making Wellness Make Sense
If you’ve ever scrolled through TikTok and landed on a video that made the science of cannabis suddenly click, chances are it was Dr. Riley Kirk…aka @cannabichem. With a mix of curiosity, humor, and deep expertise, she has a rare gift for making complex information feel accessible. She’s not just sharing fun facts - she’s changing how people relate to this powerful plant and looking great doing it!
This June, Dr. Kirk is releasing her debut book, Reefer Wellness: Understanding Cannabis Science, Culture, and Medicine, and it couldn’t be coming at a better time. Whether you’re canna-curious or a seasoned user looking to go deeper, the book is a guide to making more informed, intentional choices with cannabis.
Part science lesson, part self-care toolkit, Reefer Wellness covers everything from how cannabinoids interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system to how to feel the difference between quality flower and what just looks pretty on the shelf.
In our latest 5 Questions series, we asked Dr. Kirk to talk about what inspired her to write the book, her journey with cannabis content, and why the best weed for you isn’t always the one with the highest THC or the “frostiest” buds, but the one that helps you feel like your most balanced, connected self.
1. What inspired you to write Reefer Wellness? Was there a turning point when you realized the world needed a book like this?
I was inspired to write Reefer Wellness because the book I needed when I first began my cannabis journey simply didn’t exist. While there are countless books on the science, cultivation, or even the art of rolling joints, none brought together community wisdom and scientific evidence in a way that felt both accessible and empowering. I wanted to create a resource that bridges that gap, a guide that speaks to both new and experienced consumers. The book covers everything from the nuances of consumption methods and medicinal applications to the chemistry of active compounds and even how to roll a joint. It’s practical, evidence-based, and grounded in lived experience.
2. You’ve built a big following on TikTok by breaking down cannabis science in a way that makes sense to the average person. What’s been the most rewarding (or surprising) part of bringing your work to social media?
Learning from the community has been the most rewarding aspect of sharing content on social media. In many areas of cannabis science, research is still catching up, and consumers hold a wealth of lived experience that often goes unrecognized. What’s been missing is a trusted bridge, someone with a scientific background who genuinely values and listens to those perspectives. I don’t just welcome these shared experiences, I take them seriously. In fact, several of my research projects have been directly inspired by conversations that began in the comment sections of TikTok videos.
3. There’s a lot of focus on THC and frosty buds, but in the book, you encourage people to shop with their senses and their nervous systems. What are a few signs of truly high-quality flower that most people overlook?
I'm a firm believer in the idea that "the nose knows" your instinctive reaction to a flower’s aroma can be a powerful guide toward varieties that align best with your body and nervous system. Scent is a direct signal from the plant's terpene profile, and your response to it can offer insight into how that strain might affect you. Unfortunately, in many states, consumers aren’t able to shop in a deli-style format that allows them to smell the flower before purchasing.
In those cases, I encourage people to look beyond THC content and instead seek out chemical diversity; flowers rich in other cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, or those with unique and complex terpene profiles. You can also ask budtenders for practical insights: which products smoke the smoothest, which growers are winning local cannabis competitions, and which batches were harvested most recently. Age matters, some flower sits on dispensary shelves for months, and over time it loses much of its terpene content and therapeutic value. Freshness, chemistry, and sensory connection are all better indicators of quality than THC percentage alone.
4. You talk about cannabis as a wellness tool, not just something recreational. What are some of the biggest myths you still see around cannabis and healing?
The legacy of Reefer Madness continues to shape public perception, especially when it comes to cannabis as a tool for healing. One of the most persistent myths is that cannabis holds no medicinal value and is solely used for recreational purposes. This overlooks decades of research and ignores the fundamental role of the endocannabinoid system in regulating pain, inflammation, mood, and more.
Another widespread misconception is that cannabis universally worsens mental health conditions. In reality, growing evidence supports its potential to alleviate symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and other conditions, though, like any therapeutic tool, its effectiveness depends on individual biology and product selection.
There's also a tendency to assume all cannabis is the same, what I often summarize as the “weed is weed is weed” mindset. In truth, understanding which varieties work best for your unique brain chemistry is key to making cannabis a more effective and enjoyable part of your wellness toolkit.
Lastly, I often hear the claim that it's impossible to overdo it with cannabis. While it’s true that cannabis has a very high safety profile, it still contains many biologically active compounds and overconsumption can result in unpleasant or counterproductive effects. This doesn’t mean cannabis is dangerous; rather, it reinforces that it’s a powerful plant medicine that deserves to be used with intention and respect.
5. What do you hope readers walk away with after reading Reefer Wellness? Especially those who are just starting to explore cannabis for their health?
My hope is that readers come away with a deeper appreciation for cannabis as a highly personalized form of medicine. Reefer Wellness is meant to shift the perspective that cannabis is a mysterious or poorly understood substance because in reality, we know a great deal about how it works in the body. Unlike conventional pharmaceuticals, cannabis is a complex natural product with a wide range of effects that vary based on the individual and the specific product.
I want readers to feel empowered to approach cannabis thoughtfully: to recognize what quality looks like, explore different methods of consumption, and understand how to properly dose based on their unique needs. With the right knowledge, consumers can unlock far more of the plant’s therapeutic potential.
