Noshing With Dr. Peter Grinspoon
Author, Aging Well with Cannabis: Feel Better, Sleep Better, and Live Better with Marijuana and CBD
Can cannabis help people age better? What are the real benefits—and the real risks? And why do so many misconceptions about marijuana still persist?
This week on “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Ira sits down with Dr. Peter Grinspoon, physician, educator, and author of Aging Well with Cannabis: Feel Better, Sleep Better, and Live Better with Marijuana and CBD. As the son of legendary cannabis advocate Dr. Lester Grinspoon, Peter grew up with a unique perspective on one of the most controversial and misunderstood substances in modern medicine.
During this fascinating conversation, Dr. Grinspoon discusses his father’s influential role in the cannabis legalization movement, the myths and misinformation that continue to cloud public understanding, and why he believes education—not ideology—is the key to making informed decisions about cannabis use.
Peter explains why he rarely recommends smoking cannabis, favoring edibles and tinctures instead, and explores the often-blurred line between recreational and medical marijuana. He also discusses why many physicians still lack adequate training in medical cannabis, despite growing patient interest and expanding research.
The conversation delves into cannabis's potential benefits for older adults, including pain management, improved sleep, reduced isolation, and enhanced quality of life. Peter addresses concerns about cognitive effects, addiction, and safety, offering a balanced, evidence-based perspective that neither exaggerates the benefits nor ignores the risks.
Ira and Peter also explore the history of cannabis prohibition, the role of addiction psychiatry, the growing body of neutral scientific research, and why many oncologists now support cannabis use as a complementary option for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Whether you're curious about CBD, considering medical cannabis, caring for an aging loved one, or simply interested in the evolving science behind marijuana, this episode provides thoughtful insights from one of the field's most respected voices.
ABOUT PETER GRINSPOON:
Peter Grinspoon, M.D., is a primary care physician and a board-certified addiction specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital, as well as an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He has 25 years of experience specializing in addiction treatment and cannabis medicine. A popular speaker frequently featured in the national media, Dr. Grinspoon discusses topics such as cannabis, addiction, and physician health. His private practice provides comprehensive addiction and recovery coaching, cannabis education, and patient certification (available in MA only). As an addiction coach, he offers extensive support to individuals and families at all stages of addiction and recovery.
Peter Grinspoon, M.D. Facebook
Peter Grinspoon, M.D. Instagram
Peter Grinspoon, M.D. LinkedIn