What benefits do you see for patients throughout Florida within this space?
The biggest benefit is the option to regain control of one’s own health. Patients have the opportunity to educate themselves and others on what cannabis is and how it can improve their life. There are so many different benefits that the majority of society aren’t aware of yet. Patients have the benefit of feeling better, taking less pharmaceutical medicine, improving health and wellness. Florida has a lot of elderly patients; studies are showing cannabis might be beneficial in treating and slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Florida also is stricken with the opioid crisis; cannabis has helped thousands of people reduce if not eliminate their need for opiates. Patients who have been medicating illegally can now feel safer knowing they are legal now. The stigma is changing so people can feel comfortable being more honest about their cannabis use. Overall, I feel society is better with cannabis access.
What motivates you to be a part of the Cannabis Industry?
Educating others and helping them change their lives with cannabis is what motivates me to be in the cannabis industry. I became a patient a little more than a year prior to starting my journey in the industry. This allowed me to learn and begin to see cannabis for its purpose as medicine rather than just being a legal formality to allow myself to medicate as I had been for so many years. It also opened my eyes to how much cannabis can help in various ways, including my own child. I knew that other people needed to know about these benefits, that the stigma associated needs to change and I wanted to be involved.
What field are you in within the Cannabis space?
Currently I work full time in a dispensary. I have also volunteered at many cannabis events throughout Florida, including representing the Florida Medical Cannabis Conference bringing education and opportunity to Floridians. I have been involved in activism, patient advocacy and I have also previously worked as an influencer/public relations consultant for a Florida cannabis brand.
In addition, I also co-represent the SWFL region of the Florida Women’s Cannabis Collective, where we encourage women in cannabis to come together to empower one another.
How can people in Florida benefit from the company you represent?
People in Florida are benefiting from cannabis every day. They deserve the access to and knowledge of the best cannabis medicine that Florida can offer. The companies I represent are bringing access to cannabis and much needed education about cannabis. I also represent the patients and the professionals who want to change the stigma and lead as examples of normalized cannabis use.
How did you get started within the cannabis industry?
I got started by volunteering at events and advocacy. This allowed me to meet other people in the industry and build relationships with people who are on similar journeys as I. I left “corporate America” and got an entry level position with a MMTC.
Are you personally a MJ card holder?
I am proud to say I am one of the first 10,000 MMJ card holders in Florida.
Do you see Florida moving forward with recreational Marijuana/Cannabis and how will that affect your business?
I absolutely believe it is only a matter of time before recreational cannabis use is legalized. Whether it is on a state level or federal level is yet to be determined, but it’s not IF, it’s WHEN recreational will be legal. I think it will change the dynamic of cannabis use in Florida, but I feel there will still be a need for medical cannabis use and education.
