What benefits do you see for patients throughout Florida within this space?
The legalization of Medical Marijuana has allowed patients to have more choices when it comes to taking care of their own health. Our health care system is so strained right now, and it is up to us individually to take an active role in our own healthcare choices (and in most cases, become our own advocate). We know our body best and there are holistic choices that we can make instead of the typical pharmaceutical route, and without all the side effects. Pharmaceuticals remain necessary, but they do not have to be the first (or only) choice when it comes to healthcare and self-care.
What motivates you to be a part of the cannabis Industry?
As a 53-year-old woman, I never thought that I would see the day when a patient could walk into a specialized dispensary and have so many options of plant medicine from which to choose. Not to mention the fact that Marijuana is finally being recognized as medicine! Cannabis has personally helped me so much over the years in ways that pharmaceuticals could not. With my depression. With my anxiety. With sleep. And most recently, grieving from an extremely traumatic event. There is so much stigma and misinformation still out there regarding Marijuana. I want people to “see” an actual Medical Marijuana patient who does not fit the old norms of a “typical marijuana proponent” and know that there are other healthy choices outside of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. For me, both personally and having worked professionally in Doctors’ offices with patients throughout my career, I believe that these medicines tend to numb out emotions, which can provide short-term relief for some, but does not always provide long-term healing solutions. Plus, this class of pharmaceuticals has a high incidence of addiction.
What field are you in within the cannabis space?
I work in business development and education/advocacy, implementing programs that grow relationships with Physicians and my community.
How can people in Florida benefit from the company you represent?
The Hippie Chick (THC) Helps is a consulting firm that specializes in education and advocacy for Doctors and patients involved with all things Medical Marijuana. My goal is to help our industry become exceptional. I’d like to see the purchase of Medical Marijuana be like walking into a drugstore for a patient, where you can order and pick up your medication, and have someone available to answer questions regarding dosage, quantity, and routes. I feel that there is still a HUGE gap in education, especially for older patients. It takes so much more for them to open up to the idea of Medical Marijuana, so any small hurdle prevents them from following through with this life-saving medicine. Situations where a patient goes through all the motions to start their journey with medical marijuana but gives up due to small inconveniences breaks my heart because they discourage patients in that age group from coming back. All that hard work and the patient ultimately does not benefit.
How did you get started within the cannabis industry?
I was already a Medical Marijuana patient when my father, who was an Emergency Room doctor in South Florida for more than 30 years, decided to become a Medical Marijuana Doctor. Imagine my delight (especially because my entire life I hid my bloodshot eyes to keep him from knowing I had smoked marijuana!) As a result of my own personal experience with Medical Marijuana, I had always dreamed of being in this space of educating/collaborating with Doctors and patients on the benefits of Medical Marijuana. Having my father in this space definitely helped open doors for me, but I’ve had to work really, really hard to get ahead, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
Are you personally a MJ card holder?
I am a Medical Marijuana card holder and I highly recommend being one as I feel that using different routes (in addition to combining with CBD) is so important for obtaining the full health benefits of Medical Marijuana.
Do you see Florida moving forward with recreational Marijuana/cannabis and how will that affect your business?
I do see Florida moving forward with recreational marijuana, but I don’t feel that it will affect the “major” players in this industry much. Most have been planning their “pivot” to a recreational market for a while, to minimize the effects that it would have on their business. There is actually a new industry-led initiative in Florida for the legalization of marijuana aimed at the 2024 ballot. The initiative is being backed by Trulieve, along with musicians The Bellamy Brothers, who are featured in an initial ad for the effort that talks about the economic opportunities and civil liberties implications of recreational legalization.
For more information, contact debbie@thehippiechickhelps.com.
