Ellen Lee Scanlon

Ellen Lee Scanlon is the host of How to Do the Pot, where her mission is to empower women to make more informed choices about their health with cannabis. Follow her on Twitter here. Follow How to Do the Pot on Twitter here.

How did you get into cannabis?
I had a bad bike accident and broke 16 of my teeth. (Hear her tell the story here.) It was a tough recovery, and I took a lot of Advil for chronic pain. The side effects of so much medicine caused even more health issues. A few years later, I was trying to have a baby and struggled with several years of infertility. My perspective shifted to consider cannabis as an alternative for a myriad of health challenges. I learned that I have endometriosis, and cannabis is an incredible treatment for its painful symptoms. When California legalized adult-use cannabis in 2016, it was easier and more fun to consume cannabis in ways that clearly improved my well-being. I want to make that path easier for women all across the country as we enter this new paradigm of safe, legal access to cannabis. 

Why a cannabis show for women?
First, the cannabis industry faces massive challenges in marketing. Most digital platforms won’t accept ads from cannabis companies and accounts are frequently shut down by social media platforms. Podcasts are generally free from the restrictions on digital advertising and social media channels faced by cannabis brands. 

Second, women make 80% of household purchasing decisions, and eighty million women in the U.S. have legal access to cannabis, but women have been an underserved market in the industry. Speaking directly to women with our accessible, practical, and fun episodes is a discreet way to teach women all across the country how to confidently bring cannabis into their lives.

I know you never intended to be a podcast host. How do you like it so far?
It has been quite the journey. In the beginning, my trick to keep from feeling very self conscious was to pretend I was talking to just one friend. It helps that I’m so passionate about sharing all I’ve learned about cannabis. It’s an incredibly exciting and challenging industry, and way more complicated than I ever imagined. I hear so often from friends and listeners that my tips have helped them find new ways to combat stress, sleep better, and have better sex - just a few examples of ways cannabis can bring more balance to women’s lives. That really helps my confidence as a host and inspires me to stay at the mic! 

Who is How to Do the Pot for?
I want the stories on the show to be relatable to all women, whatever your relationship is with cannabis. Cannabis legalization is showing that you don't have to be a certain kind of person to like weed or to have cannabis in your life in a positive, fun way. We talk a lot about demystifying cannabis for women and I realize there is still stigma, especially in states that don’t have legal access yet. It may not be for everyone, but I think it’s super important that all women know that for instance, CBD and THC can help with painful menstrual cramps. The show is about giving practical tips, finding common ground through stories, and being open to developing a more nuanced view of cannabis and those who consume it. 

Every week you publish an episode that’s part of a mini-series,  “my first time buying legal weed.” Why do you think it’s so popular? 
Soon after adult-use legalization in California, a good friend brought me on a dispensary shopping trip because I was too scared to go by myself! In case you don’t have a friend to go with, the 1st Time I Bought Legal Weed series shares the stories of women all across the country who are taking that first step to shop for weed. I think it’s been popular because it helps make an intimidating situation feel easier and more fun. The stories are a diverse ‘how-to’ guide for the curious, so women feel less afraid and more prepared. I can’t resist a quick tip - always bring a government-issued ID and cash or a debit card. 

What are some shows you love?
My all-time favorite podcast is Happier with Gretchen Rubin. She brings so much joy and intellectual rigor to understanding happiness and helping her listeners with practical ways to make every day better. It’s a huge inspiration for How to Do the Pot. I love Radio Headspace for the short, daily reflections. As a busy mom & entrepreneur, I’m definitely drawn to short shows that help with my goals of prioritizing happiness and mindfulness while maintaining a sense of fun. 

If people haven’t listened yet, where should they start?
We recently celebrated 100 episodes, so I hope there is something for everyone! Our website, dothepot.com, has a section called New To Weed with tips for new listeners. If you are new to cannabis, I recommend our episodes about CBD, edibles, and cannabis for period pain. Our newest series, Weed Words, gives context for all the cannabis words you think you should know, but maybe don’t. Sex is always a popular topic, and women love our 12 Essential Strains series. If you’re looking for health-related episodes, we share how cannabis is showing promise for Migraines or treating conditions like Lupus, Crohn’s Disease, and Endometriosis. We have episodes about sleep and cannabis, and stay tuned for a new series about how women are consuming cannabis to fall asleep, stay asleep, and not feel groggy in the morning. 

Thanks, Ellen!