High Science TV: Bridging Cannabis Education and Entertainment
With cannabis continuing to enter the mainstream fold, education and accurate information are more important than ever. Enter High Science TV, a show that merges captivating storytelling with in-depth cannabis science to demystify the plant and combat lingering misconceptions. Founded by Emmy-winning producer David McKilop and cannabis advocate Ed LeClere, the series has become a beacon for curious viewers seeking reliable information about cannabis’s medical, cultural, and scientific significance.
We sat down with McKilop and LeClere to discuss the show’s origins, the challenges of working in an industry marked by federal restrictions, and their ambitious plans for the future. From overcoming network hurdles to helping a 95-year-old embrace THC cream, their journey underscores the power of education and entertainment in shifting perceptions.
Here’s what they had to say. This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
The Vision Behind High Science TV
Cannabis & Tech Today: Can you tell me the story behind High Science TV and what inspired its creation?
Ed LeClere: Back in 2018, I had a medical issue, and cannabis became a key part of my recovery. I realized it would be great to have a show that focused on educating people about cannabis while also helping to de-stigmatize it. Initially, a friend doubted the idea, but then asked if we could make it ourselves. I said, “Absolutely!” That led me to partner with David McKilop, an Emmy-winning producer, who took our puzzle pieces and turned them into an incredible show.
C&T Today: From the quality of the show, it’s clear someone very experienced is involved.
David McKilop: When I first heard the idea, I was skeptical. But after doing some research, I suddenly realized a couple of things. One was that the information that was out there for cannabis was very dubious, meaning that a lot of the science wasn’t being told. And when you looked into the actual science, it was stunning the capacity for healing that this plant has. As someone who’s done films on how plant-based medicines have historically inspired pharmaceuticals—like aspirin from willow bark—I got very intrigued. The more I learned, the more I was drawn in. Now I’m a full-blown convert.
C&T Today: What challenges did you face when launching and growing High Science TV, and how did you overcome them?
DM: One major challenge was the legal status of cannabis at the federal level. We approached networks that initially loved the idea, but they kept imposing restrictions: no showing cannabis products, no smoke, and so on. It became difficult to tell the story without being accused of promoting drug abuse. Navigating federal regulations and broadcast rules was a significant hurdle.
Why Cannabis Education Matters More Than Ever
C&T Today: What do you think the cannabis community is hungry for in terms of information and entertainment?
DM: People are craving reliable information. Cannabis is no longer a fringe topic; all demographics are curious about it. However, there’s a lack of clear guidance. We often hear stories of people trying cannabis products incorrectly, like eating too many gummies and ending up in the emergency room. So there’s just a real lack of simple, cogent, reliable information and understanding in general, making education essential.
EL: Absolutely. I think people are really yearning for education while at the same time being entertained. Perfect example, my 95-year-old mother thought this was the worst thing in the world. I can’t believe my son’s into drugs, devil’s lettuce, etcetera. At the time she was getting cortisone shots in her knees every quarter. I brought her some THC cream and I said, ma, I want you to try this on your knees and explained the benefits. Now she uses this pain cream on her knees every day, and she’s managing around the house. Yeah, she’s got a walker, but she’s managing, and she no longer has the pain to where she’s got to go in and get the cortisone shots. So I believe by matching education with entertainment we can greatly benefit our community and that will be our direction in the upcoming season two.
DM: Another issue is the legal limitation on products crossing state lines. For example, a fantastic pain cream available in Arizona can’t be sold elsewhere. The lack of federal recognition is restricting access to effective treatments.
What’s Next for High Science TV?
C&T Today: That’s certainly a significant barrier that hopefully changes with the prospective rescheduling of cannabis. Are there any exciting developments in cannabis research that you’re particularly eager to cover in season two?
EL: Absolutely. We’re diving deeper into medicinal genomics and working with top scientists. We’re shifting toward a more documentary-style approach for season two, with a stronger educational focus.
DM: The mounting evidence about the benefits of cannabis is astonishing—not just for pain and PTSD but also for anxiety and sleep. We’ve even started a foundation to explore plant-based solutions for veterans. Scientists have only explored a fraction of cannabis’s biochemistry, so there’s much more to discover. The analogy we use is, it’s like we’ve been listening to a single note versus listening to a symphony, as cannabis reacts with the human body on multiple levels that were just beginning to discover.
C&T Today: Are there any historical or cultural aspects of cannabis that you’d like to explore in future seasons?
DM: Absolutely. We’ve talked to historians and plant biologists, and it’s really interesting. It’s similar to how the dog co-evolved with humans as we grew out of hunter gatherer societies and all that, there was a co-evolution of this friendship with man’s best friend. Well, the evidence is strongly pointing that that was very similar to the cannabis plant, that it was the botanical version of the dog, and that humans have been using cannabis as part of their everyday life since the beginning of time.
We’d love to also produce documentaries on the African-American influence on cannabis culture and the historical transition of cannabis from an agricultural crop to a regulated industry as well as the rich history involving women in cannabis that deserves attention.
EL: We want to cover the entire journey—from cultivation to testing and distribution. Most people have no idea how much goes into growing and processing cannabis. It’s a complex and fascinating industry.
C&T Today: Do you have any favorite episodes or segments that really stand out, that you want people to go check out?
EL: Yeah. I would say episode four where we dive deep and really in depth conversation with a veteran, PTSD and how cannabis has changed his life. The stories in episode four, If it doesn’t touch your heart, nothing will. Also when I really looked at episode eight, I thought it was great. Everybody thinks of the strain when they hear “ChemDog.” Well, you get to actually meet ChemDog and learn the whole story behind him as well as the strain.
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