The Wisdom of Nature: Honoring Dr. Bob - A Pioneer in Cannabis Science & The Man Who Opened Me Up to The Endocannabinoid System (Part 5 of 5)
To me, there was no bigger personality in cannabis. His brilliant mind alongside his fierce voice was incredible to witness. This video will blow your mind in the nerdiest most fiery way.
“I’m not ready for primetime and primetime is not ready for me.” This is what Dr. Robert Melamede (Dr. Bob) said in the below video before he slammed Dr. Sanjay Gupta while at the same time praising him for “changing his mind” in regards to his CNN Documentary on Medical Cannabis, where according to Dr Bob he was interviewed for 3 days before being scratched from the film for his extreme views.
The above video is a legendary talk from Dr. Bob focusing on the science of cannabinoids and how relational it is to the human body with the goal to reach homeostasis. He is fiery in the Presentation making it not only entertaining to watch but will fire you up to do more in the advocacy of cannabis.
The above video was a talk by Dr. Bob at the Tamworth Medicinal Cannabis Symposium - November 2014. Below is a link to why these talks happened in the first place.
https://www.cannabisclubaustralia.com.au/story/2016/12/12/medical-cannabis-trials-mired-in-red-tape
A Quick Change
I was originally going to publish a piece on the entourage effect for part 5 of this series but since I have not taught you about Terpenes yet, it really didn’t make sense (you’ll understand why later:). So instead, I’m honoring Dr. Bob! This also seems timely as I’ve come into contact with a few people this week dealing with cancer, cannabis is a very viable option to combat cancer and this video gives you a holistic understanding to how cannabinoids can do that.
When I met Dr. Bob
In 2010, I attended a seminar at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs—an event dedicated to educating school district superintendents on the health benefits of medical cannabis. The goal was simple but powerful: to advocate for students with medical cannabis cards, advocating that they could safely and legally use their medicine at school.
It was there that I met Dr. Robert Melamede—Dr. Bob—a true pioneer in the early medical cannabis movement. A professor at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) and an influential voice in the underground cannabis science community, Dr. Bob challenged the way I saw cannabis forever.
He shared something profound: not everyone who smokes cannabis is getting high—some are just getting normal. For individuals with a deficient endocannabinoid system, consuming cannabis isn’t about intoxication; it’s about restoring balance, bringing their ECS levels back to homeostasis.
Then, he dropped another mind-blowing fact that cemented my belief in the deep synergy between cannabis and the human body: cannabinoids—the same compounds found in cannabis—are also present in mother’s milk, helping to soothe and nourish infants. Now this might not be big news to people now with the CBD revolution but in 2010 it was incredible to hear.
That conversation changed my understanding of cannabis, reframing it not as an external substance but as a biological counterpart designed to support human well-being. Dr. Bob’s passion for this plant and his fearless advocacy paved the way for many of the discussions we now take for granted in the cannabis space.
Dr. Bob’s Passing
“Robert Melamede, the iconoclastic DNA researcher, entrepreneur and international advocate for the therapeutic use of cannabis, died on April 19, 2024 from kidney failure related to a stroke that he suffered last year. He was 75. - Seven Days VT
His Families Statement
“Thank you for sharing your memories and kind thoughts of Bob," Melamede's family said in a statement. "We know he was loved and respected by many around the world, so we plan to hold an online celebration of life in order for all to attend. This will take place in the coming months and we will share details here on Facebook and Instagram."
Perfect Harmony: From the Fig Wasp to the ECS as We End the 5 Part Series
Just as the fig wasp and the fig tree exist in perfect harmony, each dependent on the other for survival, so too does cannabis share a profound and symbiotic relationship with humanity. Nature’s design is never random—it is intentional, intelligent, and deeply interconnected. Dr. Bob dedicated his life among many others to unveiling the science behind this connection, showing us that cannabinoids are not foreign to our bodies but essential to our biological balance. His work illuminated for myself and countless others how cannabis doesn’t just alter us; for many, it restores us. As we close this series, we return to the wisdom of nature—its brilliance, its synchronicities, and its undeniable role in human evolution. Whether through the ancient dance of the fig wasp or the intricate science of cannabinoids, we are reminded that we are not separate from nature but deeply woven into its fabric.
For more of Dr. Bobs Work Visit the Below Link
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3EA628E7E2B8C129